ROYAL wedding guests have described the surreal experience of rubbing shoulders with celebrities over the weekend.

More than 1,000 members of the public were invited to the grounds of Windsor Castle for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.

They brought picnics and were able to watch the arrival and departure of the bride and groom with other charity workers from across the country.

Gillian Hutchinson, a mother-of-two, who has installed defibrillators across Weardale in memory of her father, was among the guests and was nominated by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon.

Mrs Hutchinson, 40, who lives on a farm in Teesdale, took her friend, Amanda Pinkney, with her.

She said: “It was an amazing day and I am so privileged to be a part of it.

“We had a fantastic view of the entrance to the chapel and were able to follow the service throughout.

“Meghan looked beautiful, the sun shone and there was a great atmosphere in the crowd of invited public. I met some lovely people.”

Hannah Underwood, chief executive of The Key charity in Gateshead, which works with young people, went with her deputy, Victoria Dunn.

Mrs Underwood, 37, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “It was awesome and we felt really part of the day.”

As well as seeing the arrival of the royal family, guests spotted big names from world of showbiz such as George Clooney, Elton John, James Cordon and David Beckham on their way to St George’s Chapel.

Ms Dunn, 34, from South Tyneside, said: “It was a totally surreal, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”