Best Royal Wedding seats by a Mile

But residents of flats overlooking the Scottish church where Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter, is to wed next month are gearing up to cash in on the "once in a generation" event.

Those living opposite the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh's Royal Mile claim they are fighting off offers by UK and foreign film crews keen to secure a unique vantage point for capturing VIP guests such as Prince William and his wife Kate - the Earl and Countess of Strathearn - who will be attending the wedding in a private capacity.

While Buckingham Palace has described Scotland's Royal Wedding wedding as being a "private family affair", it is expected to attract thousands of spectators to the Royal Mile. Council officials have been briefed that the major security operation needed will be on a par with preparations for the Papal visit to Scotland last September and the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

As well as members of the Royal Family, among the guests will be stars of the sports world, as both bride and groom are international athletes. Many are expected to head down the Royal Mile after the ceremony for a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Attempts at wooing the residents began last December when Buckingham Palace announced that Phillips, 30, an equestrian events expert, was to marry her fiance Mike Tindall, 32, the stand-in England rugby captain, on 30 July at the church where the Queen worships when in residence at Holyrood.

One property expert said the residents at Wilson's Court were "sitting on a goldmine" and could hope to charge upwards of 1,000 for a couple of days' rent.

Caroline Reid, who lives with her husband Colin and two-month-old son Cameron, in a second floor flat in the block, said: "I've been approached by the BBC, Sky News, Associated Press and reporters and photographers who just turn up knocking at the door.

"One of the paparazzi who came to my door and was hustling said 'we're not going to be the last' before he left." Another asked if the family had internet communications to post photos. "It's been all, 'we can offer you money'."

But Reid said she and other residents had been discussing what to do and were determined to secure the best deal possible.

"I'm going to see a lawyer and get everything in writing. With a new baby and our dog Buster I think what we'd like is a payment and being put up in a hotel for the night. One news agency offered me free internet for a year, but I asked them what was the use of that when I've already got the internet on my mobile phone."

Peter Marcus, of findaproperty.com, a UK rentals website, said: "This is a great opportunity for the residents.They are sitting on a goldmine.

"In London, for William and Kate's wedding, places for short-term rent went for 30 to 100 per cent higher than they usually would. Homes close to the Olympic sites in London are renting for four or five times normal rates.

"Given this is the first Royal Wedding in Scotland for 20 years and that William and Kate will be there, we'd be looking at anything up to 100 per cent above the normal asking for starters, if not many times above that.

"Flats to rent within walking distance of the Royal Mile are already raising their prices, with some for up to 1,000 a week. With there only being a few great spots for cameras to spot all the guests and celebrities, the 'hat factor' if you like, places and prices are really going to be at a premium."

However, Franco Albano, who runs Caf Vivo, directly below the coveted flats, said he was tempted just to shut up shop for the day.

"There's enough room for photographers to stand on ladders inside the shop and see over the crowd and barriers. These sort of events cause me so much disruption and there will be too much of a crowd for me to put by tables outside. But I'm open to offers if anyone wants to get in touch."

Phillips, whose mother is Princess Anne, has been with Tindall since being introduced by Prince Harry in a Sydney bar during the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2003.

Over his career dating back to 1999, Tindall has broken his nose eight times. A suggestion by Princess Anne that he have it surgically fixed for the sake of the wedding photographs has apparently been laughingly dismissed.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said it was unable to comment on security arrangements for the Wilson's Court area. However, a council report revealed that the nearby People's Story Museum and the Museum of Edinburgh, which are also across the road from the Canongate Kirk, will be closed for security purposes and staff transferred to other duties.

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