Thousands of members of the public are to be invited to watch the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from inside the walls of Windsor Castle, as the couple invite charity workers, community champions and local school children to share their day.

Kensington Palace has announced that 2,640 people are to be welcomed into the grounds of the castle to get a close-up look at the newlyweds, and be the first people to congratulate them outside St George’s Chapel.

Invitees will be made up of local Windsor school children, representatives from Prince Harry’s key charities, and members of the public from all over the UK who have served their communities.

The Prince and Ms Markle will also invite 530 members of staff from the Royal Household and Crown Estate, and more than 600 people from the Windsor Castle community.

A spokesman for the couple said: “Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they want their wedding day to be shaped so as to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations too.