2,000 expected to pack Royal Mile for Zara wedding

Published on Tuesday 26 July 2011 16:07

UP to 2,000 members of the public are expected to turn out in Edinburgh on Saturday to catch a glimpse of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall on their wedding day.

Although the event is a private, rather than state, affair, it is thought that spectators will gather in the area around the Royal Mile where the couple will marry at in front of around 400 guests at the Canongate Kirk.

Police have remained tight-lipped about preparations for Saturday's celebrations. Few details are known about the ceremony at the church or the reception at the nearby Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's residence when she is in Edinburgh.

Superintendent Ivor Marshall, operational commander for the day, would not say how many officers will be on duty, although he confirmed they will be boosted by Edinburgh council stewards.

Police are not aware of any planned protests but are preparing for all eventualities.

Supt Marshall said: "They are both sports personalities and it is fantastic that they have come to Edinburgh to have their wedding and celebrate here.

"For my role, there are two big issues. One is that Zara Phillips' family - the Royal Family - who are coming to help her celebrate, that there is security in place for them.

"The second is that because there is an interest for members of the public, that it is safe for them."

He would not speculate on how many people would attend but said the streets around the church would hold between 1,500 and 2,000, while the capacity for the Canongate Kirk itself is 400.

Lothian and Borders police are liaising with colleagues in the Met, in London, about any updated security concerns surrounding the Royal Family.

Canongate will be closed to traffic from 4am to 6pm, with many of the surrounding roads being shut off during the course of the morning.