18 May 2018

Royal wedding: NZers get engaged in the hype

7:34 am on 18 May 2018

As the hype builds for the royal wedding, New Zealand's die-hard royal fans are preparing their own celebrations for the nuptials.

Betty Suttron in her Petone retirement unit with her prized royal mugs.

Betty Suttron in her Petone retirement unit with her prized royal mugs. Photo: RNZ / Jonathan Mitchell

Prince Harry and his American bride Meghan Markle will tie the knot at St George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle tomorrow.

Back in New Zealand, 90-year-old Betty Suttron, of Petone, is planning a late night tomorrow.

She can still remember the Queen's coronation in 1953.

"I spent the night in Hyde Park sleeping in the rain waiting for the procession to come through with all the crowds of other people who were also sleeping there," she said, laughing.

She has a couple of prized royal momentos sitting pride of place in a display cabinet.

One is a mug of King George the fifth and Queen Mary, along with a coronation cup of the Queen's father - King George the sixth.

"I do hold them very valuable to me and I think when I go my children will value them too ... well, I know my daughter will," she said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at Windsor Castle in May.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after the announcement of their engagement. Photo: AFP

Another royal fan Tania O'Connor was not planning an all nighter - instead, she's having a ladies tea on Sunday and they will watch a replay of the wedding.

"They're a great family to follow I guess ... but I do think this one will be particularly special because I love Meghan and I think Harry is a character, so it is a bit of fun on all sides really," she said.

It's going to be gin and cake for British High Commissioner, Laura Clarke.

"We're going to drink gin and have a really nice meal and watch the wedding and one of my friends is making a copy of the cake that they're having at the wedding ... which is apparently a lemon and elderflower cake with butter cream icing," she said.

The wedding ceremony takes place at 11pm New Zealand time on Saturday.

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