Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall prepare for wedding
The Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips, is getting married to England rugby star Mike Tindall in Edinburgh. The ceremony, in contrast to April’s Royal wedding, will be a private affair.
Senior royals, including the Queen, will attend the wedding along with some of England’s top rugby players.
The event is the second Royal wedding of the year although Zara Phillips does not have a title.
It will be considerably smaller than the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s ceremony which attracted a worldwide audience of millions.
The couple will exchange their vows in Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirk in a private ceremony.
The reception will be held a stone’s throw from the church, in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish home of the Queen.
Lothian and Borders Police have been working with the Palace and the city council to ensure the smooth running of the wedding.
Superintendent Ivor Marshall, the commander responsible for security arrangements, said the event is expected to attract significant public interest, despite being a private affair.
He said the church’s location, near the Scottish Parliament, on the busy tourist hub of the Royal Mile presented unique challenges. While some roads will be closed, businesses will remain open.
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He added: “The police planning unit is well-versed in assisting in the organisation of high-profile and large-scale events in Edinburgh, including the recent Royal Week, the Papal visit last year and the festival.
“Therefore we will be drawing on that experience to keep policing costs to a minimum and ensure it’s an enjoyable day for the couple, their guests and the public.”
Royals and sporting stars to attend
Officers have surrounded the kirk since Thursday and barriers line the Royal Mile in anticipation of the crowds.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will join Zara’s parents, the Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, at the wedding.
Anne’s second marriage to Timothy Laurence was the last Scottish royal wedding, taking place in 1992 at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral.
Also believed to be attending tomorrow are the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, or the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay as they are known in Scotland; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Harry; and the Duke of York and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Tindall is likely to have invited some of England’s best-known rugby players who are colleagues and friends. His parents, Linda and Phillip Tindall, will also be there.
The event, in contrast to the recent wedding of William and Kate, will be private. The doors of the kirk will be closed to the media and public.