What's On The Menu For Commoners At The Royal Wedding

We know a lemon and elderflower wedding cake is in the cards for the Royal Wedding on May 19th, but it would appear not everyone will be getting a slice – or any food, for that matter!

After announcing they want to share their special day with everyday people, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have asked the 1,200 members of the public they invited to bring their own picnics to the event.

Many of the specially selected guests are charity workers or individuals who have been recognised for their hard community work. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle invited these guests to stand on the grounds of Windsor Castle where they are to wed, as a gesture of inclusion.

While they are not invited to attend the actual ceremony itself, the lucky commoners will be able to watch the royals arrive at the church and leave in their carriage.

The wedding is set to take place at 1pm, but crowds are expected to get there several hours earlier to pass through rigorous security checks, so it’s estimated they will be standing outside St George’s chapel for at least four and a half hours in total.

They’ve also been informed in a letter from the Queen’s lord lieutenants to “bring a picnic lunch as it will not be possible to buy food and drink on site”.

Kensington Palace has suggested that some refreshments and snacks may be available on the day, but many of the guests are unhappy about the shocking revelation and the seeming lack of hospitality.

Saeed Atcha, an invitee and the founder of a youth magazine, said some of the disadvantaged individuals his charity has helped were confused by the statement. “They were saying how come they have this money and you have to bring a picnic? I am of the same opinion. It’s unfathomable.”

However, the lack of food doesn’t matter to many other attendees such as Rashid Bhayt, the leader of a youth charity from Coventry, who will be fasting anyway as he is observing Ramadan. “If you hear I fainted, it won’t be because I was starstruck,” he joked.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 600 guests inside the chapel will head to a lunchtime reception in the castle after the royal ceremony at 2pm. However, the nominated members of the public will be left to their own devices.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.