Royals kept busy in run-up to the big day

Westminster Abbey has been busy with an historic royal event a week before the Royal Wedding as the Queen marked her 85th birthday and meanwhile Prince William’s regiment was being put through its paces in preparation for the big day.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh attended Westminster Abbey yesterday, where Prince William will marry fiancée Kate Middleton in a week, to honour stalwart pensioners during the ancient Royal Maundy Service. Buckingham Palace says it is the first time the Queen’s birthday has fallen on the same day as the event – when “alms” are given to the needy or worthy on the Thursday of Holy Week – which dates back centuries and is an important annual event in the Royal calendar.

The recipients of the Maundy money – 85 women and 85 men, one for each of the sovereign’s 85 years – were retired pensioners selected because of their tireless community work.

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In honour of the Queen’s birthday, a Royal Salute was also fired on the stroke of noon in York’s Museum Gardens.

Meanwhile, members of the Irish Guards felt the heat during an inspection at their barracks in Windsor, as they prepared for their ceremonial duties during the Royal Wedding.

One soldier was overcome by the sweltering spring sunshine and had to be helped from the parade ground by the regiment’s master tailor.

Later he was said to be in good health and suffering only from embarrassment.

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The regiment, of which Prince William is Colonel, will perform key roles on the day, providing the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and the Tower of London.

In addition, four Irish Guards have been personally chosen by William and his bride-to-be to act as path-liners, lining the entrance to Westminster Abbey for the happy couple.

Their regimental mascot, two-year-old Irish wolfhound Conmael, will also be on duty outside Buckingham Palace.

Members of the regiment have just returned from a six-month tour of duty to Afghanistan with some of those taking part in the wedding due to arrive back in Britain today.

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Company Sergeant Major James McConnell, who will form part of the Queen’s Guard at St James’s Palace, said: “It’s a special day for the regiment.

“With Prince William being the Colonel, it’s like a member of the family getting married on the 29th.”

At nearby Windsor Castle, the bunting was also being strung up ahead of the wedding.