Well-wishers are preparing to turn out in force tomorrow for Zara Phillips's wedding to England rugby captain Mike Tindall in Edinburgh, which takes place amid a flurry of enthusiasm for all things royal.
Up to 2000 people are expected to gather near the church to see the bride, groom and guests.
Attractions on the Royal Mile with a link to the monarchy are experiencing a marked increase in visitor numbers and sales of royal memorabilia are booming.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse – where the couple are to hold their reception – had 17% more visitors in the period April to June than during the same period last year, even though it was open for fewer days.
The Queen’s Gallery at the foot of the Royal Mile had 15% more visitors in April to June this year, though it was open for longer.
Meanwhile, retail sales in the shop attached to the palace and gallery went up 47% compared with the same period last year.
A limited range of Zara-and-Mike-themed products is available from online sellers, including T-shirts, produced in advance of Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton, bearing the slogan “I’d rather be at Zara and Mike’s”.
Staff at Canongate Kirk, where the wedding is to take place, report there has been an increase in visitor numbers over the summer, with many tourists coming in to see the location of the nuptials.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are expected to attend the wedding, along with many rugby players and top horse riders. William Fox-Pitt, Britain’s number one event rider, and Irish show-jumpers Elizabeth Power and Jayne Doherty will be taking part in international horse trials at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh on Saturday morning before dashing into town to get ready for their friend’s wedding.
The Scottish public were noticeably less enthusiastic about celebrating the wedding of William and Kate than people in England However, Edinburgh bucked that trend and hundreds are expected to turn out to welcome the bride on Saturday too. Among them is Scott Macdonald, 25, a customer services assistant.
He described Zara as “one of my favourites” among the royal family, due to her achievements as a sportswoman, and said seeing her, rather than her famous family, was the main draw.
Like many of those who will turn out on Saturday, though, he was also looking forward to seeing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, adding that the wedding of Prince William and commoner Kate Middleton had boosted the royal family’s popularity.
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