WHILE the eyes of much of the world were on the Royal nuptials at Windsor, closer to home there was just as much excitement for other wedding celebrations.

Anna King and her bridesmaids watched the Royal wedding while getting ready at her mum’s house in Great Ayton, ahead of her own big moment with Robert Hauserman, from Hutton Rudby.

The couple, aged 30 and 31, were married at Christ Church in Great Ayton with a reception at nearby Whinstone View.

The new Mrs Hauserman said her husband had arranged her transport to the church as a surprise – and was delighted with her horse-drawn carriage, covered with flowers.

The couple went to school together but it wasn’t until after university that they got together.

“I have loved getting married at the same time as Meghan and Harry - there has been so much talk of weddings on the media and everywhere you go,” said Anna.

“I have become quite obsessed with their wedding too and it was nice to watch as we were getting ready.

Rachael Marie Aldus, 37, and Graeme Martyn Lythe, 35, were also married on the Royal wedding day – although they booked the date well before the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

They were married at St Cuthbert’s Church in Marton, where the priest also called Rachael’s daughter, 13-year-old Maisie up for a family blessing.

“It’s a lovely memory to tell people that we were married on the same day as Prince Harry and Meghan,” said a delighted Rachael.

“It’s nice that everywhere we go there is bunting. It makes it feel like it’s ours and feels that little bit more special. I love seeing that everyone’s got their bunting out for us.”

Darren Smith and Tara Carr were married at Bowburn Hall, Durham.

The couple, aged 50 and 48, are both from Wheatley Hill, East Durham.

"We met in 2014, we happened to be both in a bar in Durham watching England football team playing a world cup match," said Darren. "Ironically, here we are four years later in 2018 and the run up to the next football World Cup, cementing our commitment to each other and looking forward to watching many more World Cups together as man and wife.

"Initially, when we heard that Harry and Meghan had picked the same day as us to get married Tara was not happy, she loves watching anything to do with the Royals on TV.

"Luckily, thanks to modern technology she can still watch it, just not live. Now that the news has sunk in we are both proud to have picked the same day, it makes it an even more special and memorable occasion, and we hope that they are as happy as we are together."

Jay Earl and Joanne Roberts jokingly said they classed themselves as 'royals'.
The couple, both from Middlesbrough, are 43 and 33 and met at Nifco UK.
They were married at Preston Park Museum, Eaglescliffe, Stockton.
"We class ourselves as royals," they said before the ceremony. "There's just a few less people attending our wedding but it will be just as nice."

Thomas and Kirsty Henry met through Facebook.
Thomas, 27, and Kirsty, 25, are both from Sunderland and were married at the Minster church before a reception at the Marriott in Seaburn.

"We feel very special and privileged getting married the same day has Meghan and Harry," said Kirsty.