When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get married today, there will be 2,640 people in the Windsor Castle to witness the arrival of the wedding party.
Among them are 1,200 people from across the UK who were chosen by the palace authorities from among people who were doing exceptional work and charities. The young people doing such charitable work were especially chosen.
Reuben Litherland, a 14-year-old hearing impaired boy from Derby was among those invited. He works work to promote awareness of the needs of the hearing impaired – who started lunchtime lessons to teach sign language in school.
There is Philip Gillespie, who lost a leg in a blast in Afghanistan, raises funds and awareness for the soldiers’ charity. Also invited is Rashid Bhayat, 38, from Coventry. Rashid is CEO of Positive Youth Foundation, a charity set up in 2011 to support young people in challenging circumstances.
Jorja Furze, 12, from Ely has also been invited. Jorja is an amputee from birth who set up an Anxiety Group for Year Sevens to help new students adjust to life at high school.
From Scotland is Amy Wright, 26, who is Chair of Board of Directors for a café in Dumfries that provides employment training and support to the young people aged between 16 to 25 with special needs.
There’s also Saeed Atcha, 21, from Bolton has been invited too. Saeed founded a youth-led charity called Xplode that teaches young people employable skills and gives them experience in journalism.
The Kensington Palace released the names last month, mentioning that “Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they wanted their wedding day to be shaped to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations. As previously announced, the couple asked Lord Lieutenants to invite 1,200 people to join the celebrations, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.”