Windsor’s $5 million dollar makeover ahead of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal wedding
ROADS are being repaved, flowers planted and parks spruced up as the charming town of Windsor gets in shipshape for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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THE medieval township of Windsor is getting a $5 million makeover before the world’s media descends on it for the May 19 wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Roads are being repaved, flowers planted, parks spruced-up, and new barriers installed to stop
terror attacks.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has agreed to bring forward almost $5 million in capital works funding to speed up 17 projects to have Windsor looking shipshape ahead of the big day, which is likely to be the most-watched wedding in history.
Local rail operators are putting on additional train services, the wedding will be shown live on big screens at venues around Windsor for those who cannot get a front-row view, and extra car-parking for 6000 vehicles will be made available.
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While the initial estimates put crowd numbers at a likely 100,000, it now seems possible even
greater numbers will converge on Windsor and Eton, twin towns on the River Thames at the base of the 1000-year- old Windsor Castle.
The town, 40km west of London, usually has a population of just 30,000, and is bracing for an influx of visitors likely to arrive in the days beforehand, camping out to get the best view along the route where Ms Markle and Prince Harry will take a carriage ride after their service at St George’s Chapel, inside the castle grounds.
Windsor town centre will be decorated with bunting and ceremonial banners, and shops are
planning to open at dawn on the wedding Saturday.
Most retailers in the town have already ordered in wedding souvenirs including tea-towels, mugs and photographs of the royal couple, while pubs are preparing celebratory menus.
Windsor Councillor Phillip Bicknell said he was “hugely proud we have the opportunity to welcome the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle to our town”.
“Preparations are well under way to make the town look its best and ensure everyone can enjoy this momentous occasion,’’ he said.
“As a royal town it is part of who we are to play host to international events just like the royal wedding and I look forward to the world’s eyes once again turning to Windsor on 19 May.’’
The council has brought forward projects to improve footpaths across Windsor, replace children’s play equipment, pigeon-proof some of the buildings near the King Edward Court Shopping Centre, and ensure all parks and public gardens are properly maintained.
As well, more than $3 million will be spent on a “hostile vehicle mitigation system’’, providing barriers to ensure vehicles used by terrorists are not able to strike crowds gathered for the wedding, or for other events such as the daily Changing of the Guard parade.
Thames Valley police will pay for half the new system.
“The pre-planned investments into the town’s roads and infrastructure we have brought forward will continue to benefit those who live and work here long after the wedding crowds have left,’’ Cr Bicknell said.
“We expect the wedding will also inspire even more visitors to come and enjoy what Windsor has to offer bringing a further boost to local businesses.’’
Originally published as Windsor’s $5 million dollar makeover ahead of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal wedding