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'MORE ATMOSPHERE ON MOON'
Princess Eugenie’s wedding day crowds fail to match Harry and Meghan’s do
IT MAY have been windy — but compared with Harry and Meghan’s wedding, the sparse crowd of onlookers were hardly blown away.
As the ceremony started, long sections of the roadside security barriers in the shadow of Windsor Castle remained devoid of royal fans.
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In May, they were in danger of bursting as more than 100,000 wellwishers packed the streets for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
For that heady occasion, homes and shops were festooned with bunting and TV trucks jammed the streets.
Yesterday, street vendor Jamie How, 63, said: “It’s like the moon — no atmosphere.
“There are more police here than people and you can practically see the tumbleweed blowing down the street.”
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Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank kiss on the steps of St George's Chapel after Royal Wedding
Jamie was trying to flog commemorative woolly scarves but admitted: “It’s been shocking. I have barely sold any.”
Flag seller Ellie-Marie Rogers, 23, halved her prices from £4 to £2. She said: “It cost me £60 to get here today, but I have barely made £20. There just isn’t much interest.”
I was handed a flag by one of the many council volunteers, who whispered to me: “It will help make the crowds look bigger.”
Many of those who did turn up did not know a great deal about Princess Eugenie.
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Sitting in a coffee shop opposite the castle Alan Gregory, 69, who came from Ashford, Surrey, with wife Jenny, 68, said: “I know she is ninth in line to the throne because I looked it up last night.
“I struggle to pronounce her name, though.
“We came for Meghan and Harry’s and that was totally different. You couldn’t get near the high street. It was ten deep.
“We stayed in the park down by the riverside and there were big screens, Chris Evans DJ-ing and a great atmosphere.
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Stylish celebs arrive at Royal Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel
“Today we mainly came for the coffee at this cafe, which is excellent — though it is nice to be in Windsor for the occasion.”
Louise Radford, 38, from nearby Datchet, was hoping to spot Harry, Meghan or Kate and her children. She said: “I love the royals. I don’t know that much about Eugenie but I wish her well, though.”
Ex-pat Kathy Martin, 56, came from Spain to camp outside the weddings of both Prince William and Harry, plus the Queen’s 90th birthday and the births of all Kate Middleton’s children.
She said: “I know Eugenie is further down the pecking order but I still would have felt bad to miss it.”
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One American who was in Windsor by chance on a business trip, said she was aware of Eugenie. “Sure, she is the one with the wacky hats, right?” she ventured.
Others confessed to knowing even less about groom Jack Brooksbank, a former barman who now prefers to be known as European brand ambassador for tequila company Casamigos.
Windsor resident Mila Bannerman, 42, said: “I don’t really know who he is. Is he something to do with gin?”
The landlord of a pub along the procession route said: “It’s a weird atmosphere today.
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Trip on the stairs as page boys and flower girls arrive for Royal Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
“The wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie in 1999 was one of my best days ever.
“But that was a sunny Saturday in June, not a windy Friday in October. Elton John’s wedding was busier than this.
“Who is going to turn out for a Princess who parents are a bit of a joke anyway?”
The crowds began to fill out a little as the carriage procession neared, with workers popping out of their offices to take a peek.
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But when the royal pair finally did zip past, beaming and waving from their covered coach, cheers that greeted them were more of a ripple than a roar. Think raffle winners at the village fete.
After they passed, those who had turned up quickly melted away and within 40 minutes it was business as usual in Windsor.
Nursery nurse Helen Catlin, 48, took the day off to drive to Windsor from Milton Keynes.
She said: “There wasn’t much cheering or atmosphere but I am still pleased I came.
“I got here early at 7am thinking I would need to bag a spot but it was empty. I had planned to do park-and-ride but it was deserted so I just drove straight into town and parked here. At least you could get a good view.”
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Prince Philip ignores Sarah Ferguson as he arrives at St George's Chapel for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding
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Mum Laura King watched the procession with her three-year-old daughter, Autumn. She said: “We were in town shopping anyway.
“Autumn wanted to stay in the toy shop but she liked seeing the horses. We were here for Harry and Meghan’s and that was a totally different vibe — there was a real buzz around town for two weeks before.
“In light of that I am not sure why Eugenie went for such a similar wedding so soon after. I hope she isn’t too disappointed.”
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CAMILLA braved stormy weather in the Highlands to keep a long-standing promise for a visit to a tiny school near Balmoral.
The Duchess of Cornwall’s arrival at Crathie Primary, which has just nine pupils, was delayed by a tree on the road.
And after being greeted by a stuffed deer in a classroom, she told the children of her love of the “wonderful” local wildlife.
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