Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's wedding ‘to boost UK economy’

Royal to marry Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 at Windsor Castle

LONDON: MPrince Harry’s wedding to American actor Meghan Markle could provide a £500 million boost to Britain’s economy as tourists flock to the country and Britons celebrate, according to an estimate.

Harry, Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and fifth-in-line to the throne, will tie the knot with Markle on May 19, 2018 at Windsor Castle, the royal palace home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.

REUTERS/Alexi Lubomirski/Pool

There were an extra 350,000 visitors to the UK in April 2011 when Harry’s elder brother William married his wife Kate compared to the same month the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

'The Crown' actor wants Selena Gomez to play Meghan Markle on show

Business valuation consultancy Brand Finance predicted a similar surge in May and in total, it estimates the nuptials will generate some £500 million ($680 million). “We think approximately £200 million will come from tourism, travel, hotels,” said the company’s chief executive David Haigh.

About £150 million would be spent on people having parties and celebrating with £50 million coming from people buying T-shirts, hats and other commemorative items, he further shared. The wedding would also be worth about £100 million in free advertising for Britain around the world.

REUTERS/Alexi Lubomirski/Pool

Businesses in Windsor are already gearing up to take advantage of the worldwide interest in the couple, with Harry, 33, one of the most popular members of the British royal family and Markle, 36, best known for her starring role in the TV legal drama Suits, providing some Hollywood sparkle.

I was told I wasn't pretty or thin enough: Meghan Markle

“It’s going to be a massive boost for the economy, it will be great to see so many people here for the wedding and actually to host the wedding itself,” said Andrew Lee, manager of the Harte and Garter hotel opposite Windsor Castle.

Since their engagement was announced in November, Harry and Meghan merchandise has adorned the displays of Windsor’s tourist shops and Mayor John Lenton said the town had been caught up in the excitement. “We are looking forward to it and we hope it will help to improve our tourist trades,” he said.

PHOTO: SKY NEWS

British tourism bosses are already predicting 2018 to be a bumper year for the industry, aided by a fall in the value of the pound since the 2016 vote to leave the European Union which has attracted visitors and deterred Britons from vacationing abroad.

VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, estimates that 41.7 million visits from overseas will be made to the United Kingdom in 2018, generating 26.9 billion pounds in the process.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.