Pubs to stay open late for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding

Pubs and bars will be allowed to do away with the usual curbs on opening hours on the weekend of Prince Harry's marriage to Meghan Markle, under plans announced today.

Ministers plan to extend licensing hours across Britain to allow venues to remain open until 1am on the nights of Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May - the day of the Royal wedding and the FA Cup final.

The last time a similar measure was taken was for the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016, which coincided with two European Championship matches involving England and Wales.

Licensing hours were also extended for the 2014 World Cup, and the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. The plan was welcomed by the British Beer and Pub Association, which said extended hours would bring a £10 million boost to the trade.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, who is opening a consultation on the plans today, said: “The Royal wedding will be a time of national celebration, and we want everyone to be able to make the most of such an historic occasion.

“I hope that this relaxation of the licensing hours will allow people to extend their festivities and come together to mark what will be a very special moment for the country.”

The wedding has faced controversy this week as Conservative council leader in Windsor Simon Dudley said beggars could present the town in a "sadly unfavourable light" when the couple get married.

But more than 33,000 people have signed a petition opposing rough sleepers being cleared from Windsor before the event.

Holly Fishwick, who launched the campaign on change.org, wrote: "I'm calling for this demand on the local police force to be withdrawn, and for people who are homeless not to be removed.

"Instead the council and local authorities should offer a suitable long-term solution for these people, including safe and secure accommodation and health advice and support."

In a letter to police, Mr Dudley complained about "aggressive begging and intimidation", and "bags and detritus" on the streets.