US royal watchers wake up early for Meghan and Harry’s wedding

New York (dpa) - Royal revellers across the United States woke up early on Saturday to watch US actress Meghan Markle marry Britain’s Prince Harry live from Windsor.

New Yorkers set their alarms to celebrate the royal nuptials at special breakfast events with British fare, including crumpets, champagne and cups of tea, and featuring screenings of the ceremony.

Fans donned fascinators and wedding attire to watch the ceremony at Madame Tussaud’s in Times Square. Harry and Meghan were the guests of honour - albeit in wax form - with approximations of Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and Robert Pattinson on the wax guest list.

Suji Hamilton, who shunned convention by wearing white, said she dragged herself out of bed because she’s a hopeless romantic and plans to spend the day looking for her own prince.

”I love a good fairytale,” the 43-year-old told dpa. “To see two people who are genuinely in love tie the knot from across the pond - it’s the whole world commemorating the same thing, and it’s nice to have something positive to celebrate for a change.”

”And who doesn’t want a Bellini at 7 am?” she added.

”I can’t even talk I’m so happy,” said Rosa Martino, a 56-year-old from Brooklyn, as she wiped tears from her eyes. “I got up at 4:30 am - my boyfriend said ‘where the hell are you going?’ and I said ‘I have to go to a wedding.’”

Harry and Meghan’s down-to-earth appeal and the fact that Markle is mixing up the royal family prompted Martino to come out for the event.

”They broke all the rules, like she’s a divorcee, mixed race, an actress,” Martino said. “The dress could have been a little more lacy but I’m so happy - an American princess!”

Lee Porter, 34, won tickets to the screening, and brought her friend Amanda Cinquini, 39.

Porter won the tickets in a contest during which she was asked why she liked Meghan. Her answer was that the actress had appeared on TV game show “Deal or No Deal,” which shows she is “authentic.”

The friends think the pairing of the prince with an outsider from the US makes the couple “more relatable” than other royal matches, and that the wedding marks a shift in British royal social codes.

“Meghan’s not losing herself totally but she’s bringing in a newness and diversity and also keeping traditions,” said Cinquini.

Markle has given up her acting career, but Porter hopes it won’t be the last fans see of Meghan on the screen.

”I’ve been watching The Crown - maybe she will show up in season 8!” Porter said.

The festivities will continue into the day for those not willing to wake up in the wee hours of the night, as English-themed pubs play wedding coverage throughout the day and invite patrons to wear their best hats and bow ties or dress up their dogs for the occasion.

On the West Coast, where it was the middle of the night, royal slumber parties were among the celebrations, with guests encouraged to pair pyjamas with fascinators.

Markle’s alma mater, Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, threw a pre-wedding party earlier this week and another on Saturday.

Cinemas across the US scheduled repeat screenings later in the day, including at the famous Chinese Theatre on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in LA.

Events were also planned across Canada, especially in Toronto, where Markle lived for several years while working as an actress.

Around 23 million Americans tuned in for the wedding of Harry’s brother, Prince William, to Kate Middleton in 2011.

The number of viewers in the US is expected to be much higher for Harry and Meghan’s ceremony.

Published by dpa International (May 19, 2018)