All eyes on Zara’s big day as security is increased

Senior features writer

Tuesday 26 July 2011

PREPARATIONS are well under way in Edinburgh for the second royal wedding of the year, with police yesterday carrying out checks on manholes along the Canongate.

GETTING READY FOR THE BIG DAY: The Rev Neil Gardner, far left, of the Canongate Church, lends a helping hand as preparations on all levels are stepped up ahead of the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall (above) in Edinburgh on Saturday. Pictures: Gordon Terris

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REBECCA McQUILLAN

Security will be tight for the wedding of the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips and England rugby captain Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk on Saturday, which is expected to be attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and many other members of the royal family.

Although the wedding is being described as a low-key affair, large crowds of well-wishers are expected along the Canongate.Following the afternoon wedding, guests will be ushered a short way down the hill for a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.While there will be some local road closures, businesses will remain open and residents, who have been contacted by Edinburgh City Council, will be relatively unaffected.As The Herald reported earlier this month, policing the wedding is expected to cost £500,000, with most of it being paid for out of Lothian and Borders Police force’s budget.Superintendent Ivor Marshall, who is the Silver Commander responsible for overseeing security arrangements, said the event was expected to attract significant public interest. He said: “In some ways it is quite difficult to predict. However, given the couple’s status as well-known sports stars, the fact many of their guests are going to be well-known, and the fact Zara is a member of the Royal Family, that’s going to draw people to the event and we are preparing for that.”Miss Phillips, 30, who went to Gordonstoun in Moray, spoke recently of her love of Scotland, saying: “Edinburgh’s a very special place for us both. We’re just really excited and very much looking forward to being husband and wife.”She started dating Mr Tindall, 32, after he was introduced to her by Prince Harry in a Sydney bar during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The couple announced their engagement in December.Mr Tindall said their love of the sport helped bring the couple closer together. He said people wondered at first if their “backgrounds were too different” but he told Reader’s Digest: “It’s not a problem. I’ve been on the edge of her world all the time I’ve been playing rugby.“I know William and Harry because they are great England supporters, and I’ve played against Peter (Zara’s brother, who represented the Scottish Schools team). Zara’s mum is patron of the Scottish Rugby Union so I’ve known her for years. They’re good, fun people, all of them. They’re just a normal family.”He said his own family has no worries about the high-profile relationship, adding: “They just want me to be happy. They can see I am, so they’re not worried, and they love Zara.”As the day approaches, details about the wedding have started to emerge. The designer of the style-conscious bride’s dress is thought to be Stewart Parvin, who creates dresses for the Queen and trained at Edinburgh College of Art.Mr Tindall’s best man will be fellow England player Ian Balshaw, though there has been no confirmation as yet of who will be Miss Phillips’s maid of honour.

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All eyes on Zara’s big day as security is increased

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