Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall are to marry in Edinburgh on 30 July Scotland's first royal wedding in nearly 20 years is set to draw crowds in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Zara Phillips is to tie the knot with England rugby star Mike Tindall at the Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh and other royals will join Zara's parents, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, at the ceremony.
Princess Anne's second marriage to Timothy Laurence was the last Scottish royal wedding in 1992.
Also believed to be attending the wedding are Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Rothesay, the recently wed Earl and Countess of Strathearn, William and Kate, and Prince Harry.
Prince Andrew, known in Scotland as the Earl of Inverness, and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are also thought to be attending.
Lothian and Borders Police have been working with the Palace and Edinburgh City Council to ensure the smooth running of the wedding.
Supt Ivor Marshall, who is the Silver Commander responsible for overseeing security arrangements, said the event was expected to attract significant public interest, despite being a private affair.
He said: "In some ways it is quite difficult to predict, however given the couple's status as well-known sports stars, the fact many of their guests are going to be well-known, and the fact Zara is a member of the Royal Family, that's going to draw people to the event and we are preparing for that."
'Enjoyable day'
Supt Marshall said the kirk's location, close to both the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, yet set on the busy tourist hub of the Royal Mile, presented unique challenges.
While some road closures will be in place, local businesses will remain open and residents, who have been contacted by Edinburgh City Council, will be relatively unaffected.
“Start Quote
End Quote Mike Cantlay VisitScotlandSituated on the Royal Mile, there can be few more historic or romantic places in which to get married”
He said: "The police planning unit is well versed in assisting in the organisation of high-profile and large-scale events in Edinburgh, including the recent Royal Week, the Papal visit last year and the festival.
"Therefore, we will be drawing on that experience to keep policing costs to a minimum and ensure it's an enjoyable day for the couple, their guests and the public."Police began security preparations immediately following the announcement of Canongate Kirk as the venue.
However, few details of the wedding have been released by the palace.
The nuptials of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall are being billed as a low-key affair - in stark contrast to the recent wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
William and Kate's televised marriage was watched by a world-wide audience of hundreds of millions and attended by a host of celebrities and dignitaries.
The doors of the Canongate Kirk are to be closed to the press and public.
Tourism opportunity
But large crowds are still expected in Edinburgh's Old Town to watch the arrival of the royal family.
Mr Tindall is likely to have invited some of England's best-known rugby players who are colleagues and friends.
The wedding reception will be held in the Palace of Holyroodhouse - the official Scottish home of the Queen.
Tourist bosses said the nuptials are good news for the capital and the country.
Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: "The wedding between Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall is wonderful news for Edinburgh and the whole of Scotland.
"It's a great opportunity for tourism in this country and we would urge businesses to take advantage of this great occasion.
"With the Palace of Holyrood, Edinburgh Castle and Royal Britannia, the city has a fantastic wealth of royal attractions for visitors, and I would like to congratulate Ms Phillips and Mr Tindall on choosing Edinburgh's Canongate Kirk as the venue for their wedding.
"Situated on the Royal Mile, there can be few more historic or romantic places in which to get married."
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