Royal Wedding: Has the BBC waived the TV licence fee for the royal wedding?
ROYAL fans will flock to street parties and community events across the country on Saturday in time to watch Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tie the knot. And spectators will be able to witness the wedding of the year for free this weekend as the BBC has waived the TV licence fee for the big day.
Communities holding street parties will not need a licence to screen Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tying the knot live on Saturday, May 19.
The licence is normally needed for viewers to watch live TV or iPlayer but it can be waived in exceptional circumstances for events judged by the BBC to be of national importance.
In a statement, the BBC said: "In recognition of the constitutional nature of this event, the BBC has decided to offer a dispensation to watch coverage of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (‘the Royal Wedding’).
"This dispensation allows communities organising celebratory events and parties in premises such as town halls, community centres and streets across Britain, where TV is not usually watched, to screen the event live on the day of the wedding without needing to purchase a new licence.
"This dispensation would also apply to shops for example.
"There is no need to contact TV Licensing to advise them of events which will take advantage of this dispensation."
However, those planning to watch the FA Cup final, which will be broadcast later on Saturday on BBC One at 5.15pm, will still need a licence.
The government has revealed hundreds of street party applications have been made to councils across the country to mark the marriage.
Councils have also waived fees for street party road closures and pub opening hours are expected to be extended on Saturday.
Their wedding is expected to be watched by two billion people across the world, the same amount that watched Prince William and Kate Middleton marry in 2011.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to be married at 12pm by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, in St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The chapel holds around 800 people and is the same place where Harry was christened, and where his father held a short service following his wedding to second wife Camilla, the now Duchess of Cornwall.
At the Queen’s request, Meghan was baptised and confirmed at the Chapel Royal on March 6.
At 1pm the pair will travel through Windsor, in Berkshire, in a carriage to give well-wishers the chance to see see the newlyweds up close.
The carriage will leave Castle Hill before travelling through Windsor and then proceeding up the Long Walk back to St George’s Hall by Windsor Castle.
Around 600 guests have been invited to the couple’s wedding and a further 200 are expected to attend their wedding reception, including the Spice Girls.