A happy couple have received royal congratulations as they prepare to say ‘I do’ on the same day as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Beccy Mingo and Richard Hawley will exchange their wedding vows tomorrow in front of 125 friends and family at Ottery St Mary Parish Church.
They set the date last March - seven months before the royal couple announced they too would wed on May 19.
The Honiton couple have known each other for two decades, but started dating three years ago before Richard proposed last January.
The 37-year-old engineer got down on one knee during a trip to the Alps - and secretly flew in Beccy’s parents as part of the surprise.
Beccy said she had a childhood crush on Richard from the age of 12 after meeting him when he was working as an apprentice on her family’s farm.
The 33-year-old, who is a manager at Tesco in Honiton, said: “I had a crush on him from a very young age but he never noticed me. He was 17 and a cheeky chappy with a very cheeky smile and I have never forgotten that. I can 100 per cent trust him and he is so caring and I just enjoy his company.
She said of the royal wedding: “I think it makes it even more exciting. I think the idea of having something else going on the same day adds to the celebration. It’s so funny, some of the people have asked if it’s annoying and the other half are really excited.”
Before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their announcement in November, Beccy had written to the Royal Family asking if they would attend her wedding. She received congratulatory messages from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cornwall, who gave their best wishes for their celebration. She will put them in a keep-sake box.
The Duchess of Cornwall also sent a bottle of Highgrove champagne, which the couple will drink at their reception.
The future Mrs Hawley will arrive in a carriage led by four plumed horses for the service at noon.
Beccy’s grandparents and great-grandparents were also married in the church. Their reception will be held in a marquee at her grandfather’s farm near Escot before they jet off for their honeymoon to Las Vegas, Bora Bora and Santa Monica.
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