Crowds gather in Edinburgh for second royal wedding of the year

Jul 30, 2011, 12:35 GMT

Edinburgh - Thousands of onlookers gathered in the Scottish capital Edinburgh on Saturday for the wedding of Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter, to England rugby player Mike Tindall.

Phillips, 30, is to keep her maiden name rather than adopting her husband's surname in line with tradition. She is a keen horsewoman and won individual gold at the World Equestrian Games in Germany in 2006, after her mother, Princess Anne, won the same title in 1971.

The wedding was billed as a private family affair. Nevertheless, spectators crowded onto Edinburgh's Royal Mile with flags and folding chairs, including around 30 who camped overnight to secure a good spot to see the newlyweds.

Guests at the wedding, in Canongate Kirk, were thought to include the Queen and her husband Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Harry.

Prince William and his wife Kate, who married on April 29, were also expected among the royal guests, as well as the bride's brother Peter and her uncle, the Duke of York, with his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Leading figures in English rugby were also rumoured to be attending, including national coach Martin Johnson and his predecessor Sir Clive Woodward, who led the country's 2003 Rugby World Cup winning team.

The royal wedding was likely to boost tourist numbers to Edinburgh, whose world famous arts festival starts August 12.

Phillips is said to be one of the 'favourite grandchildren' of Queen Elizabeth II, who is 84.