Media army prepares to lay siege to Windsor as royal wedding fever rises

A tour bus makes its way past broadcast studios being erected on the Long Walk in Windsor (Andrew Matthews/PA) Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Thousands of UK and international media will be heading to Windsor ready to immerse themselves in royal wedding fever.

Some 79 international networks ranging from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and Japan will be reporting from the Berkshire town as Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle this weekend.

Broadcasters from across the globe have been preparing for months for the ceremony on Saturday May 19, with intense interest in the American bride, who lived for a time in Toronto, coming from the US and Canada.

Forty six US broadcast affiliates will be covering the former Suits actress’s fairytale induction into the British royal family.

E! will be among those broadcasting live, declaring as it promoted its coverage: “When a Californian girl marries a prince we go big, like, five hours of live coverage big.”

But royal fans in Meghan’s hometown of Los Angeles will have to be up in the early hours to watch the service, which begins at noon UK time – 4am Pacific Daylight Time on the west coast of America.

The Good Morning America show urged its followers on Twitter: “Set some early alarms and get your tea ready, people!”

ABC News and GMA will have live coverage from Windsor from 5am Eastern Time – 10am UK time.

More than 5,000 UK and international media and support staff have been accredited across Windsor for the day.

Media in Windsor for royal wedding

  • More than 5000 UK and international media and support staff accredited across Windsor

  • 160 photographers housed across 14 separate official photography positions

  • 79 international networks

  • 46 US broadcast affiliates

  • 60 broadcasting positions

  • 7 individual TV studios

  • 2 purpose built international media compounds constructed along the Long Walk and Home Park

Hundreds of photographers will be working in the town, in addition to the 160 housed across 14 official photography positions.

Seven individual TV studios will be in operation and two purpose built international media compounds are being constructed along the Long Walk and in Home Park, demonstrating the scale of the event.