1,200 members of the public from across UK invited to Royal wedding

LONDON - Hundreds of everyday citizens from across Britain are to be invited to Windsor Castle on May 19 for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Kensington Palace announced Friday.

The palace said in a statement that Queen Elizabeth's grandson and his American fiancee said they want their wedding to be open to members of the public so that they feel part of the celebrations.

The couple have invited 2,640 people into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrival of the wedding party at the chapel and the carriage procession as it departs from the castle.

"The group will be made up of 1,200 members of the public from every corner of the United Kingdom and will be nominated to attend by nine regional Lord Lieutenant offices," said a spokesperson for Kensington Palace.

"The couple has asked that the people chosen are from a broad range of backgrounds and ages, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities."

Also invited will be 200 people from a range of charities and organizations which Prince Harry and Markle have a close association with.

One hundred students from two local schools, both of which have a strong affiliation with the Windsor Castle community, will also be invited.

More than 600 Windsor Castle community members, along with 530 members of The Royal Households and Crown Estate will make up the rest of those invited to the castle.

"This wedding, like all weddings, will be a moment of fun and joy that will reflect the characters and values of the bride and groom," added the palace.

The wedding will be one of the biggest royal events in Britain for some years and is expected to attract thousands of people from across the world lining the route of the wedding procession as it makes its way through the streets of Windsor.