WHILE the eyes of the world were focused on the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Wells was hosting a Royal Wedding of its own.

Children from Wells Cathedral School staged a pretend wedding in the Cathedral's Lady Chapel two days before the real thing.

Reception class pupils Noah and Ella took the roles of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; Raphael was the Archbishop of Canterbury; Ezra was best man Prince William; and Dusty Rose and Grace were bridesmaids Kate and Pippa Middleton.

The guests – Nursery children, staff and parents – applauded and waved hand-coloured union flags as the happy couple made their way out of the chapel at the end of the ceremony while an organist played the Wedding March. The wedding party then posed for photographs in front of the Cathedral, before going back to school for a wedding breakfast.

"The inspiration for carrying out a pretend wedding came from the children," said Charlotte White, head of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage.

"I had got married the year before and after seeing my wedding dress when carrying out a Cinderella ball, they thought my husband was the prince and still refer to him as such. Throughout the year they have been constantly acting out weddings so the Royal Wedding seemed like the perfect opportunity to carry one out.

The pretend wedding in the Cathedral's Lady Chapel

"The children worked incredibly hard in the run up to the big day. They made the order of services, designed the outfits, made the bouquets, and catered for the event by baking Royal biscuits and making cucumber sandwiches. They even practised a first dance waltz. The Nursery and Nursery staff provided the wedding breakfast and attended as our Royal guests."

Parents also joined in enthusiastically to help with the preparations. Nicholas and Joanna Jepson-Biddle organised the service and booked the Cathedral, Rebecca Gilbert made the two-tiered wedding cake, and others helped with the costumes.

"I couldn't have carried out the event without the support from the parents," said Charlotte. "We demonstrated the perfect parent partnership and created an occasion that we will all remember and treasure."