The bars in England will stay open later for royal wedding celebrations, and we support this decision
Save the date: The royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will take place on Saturday, May 19th. And in preparation for the big day, England’s government officials want to make sure everything is just right. So, it’s been decided that pubs in England and Wales can stay open later for royal wedding celebrations. Because what better way for Brits to raise a glass to the happy couple than to literally raise a glass!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding guest list may still be under wraps, but even if you’re not one of the 2,000 or so regular folks who make the cut, you can still wish them well. You could even buy Harry and Meghan a pint on your tab. Sure, they won’t be there to drink them, but it’s the thought that counts. We know you won’t let them go to waste.
After a drink or two, you might even be inspired to give a speech to congratulate the newlyweds. And since pub licensing hours will be extended in celebration of Harry and Meghan’s royal nuptials, that means Brits will get an extra two hours to decide exactly what they’ll say. (Sorry, Americans: Bar hours are likely to stay the same where you live. You can still celebrate the royal wedding in spirit, though.)
We propose a toast: To the bride and groom on their royal wedding day!
Here’s why this is such good news: Typically, pubs and bars in England close at 11 p.m. every night. (We know, that’s really early.)
But thanks to the country’s “Licensing Act 2003,” pub hours in the United Kingdom can be extended to “mark an occasion of exceptional international, national or local significance,” according to the BBC.
That calls for another round!
Since its blessed inception, the Licensing Act has been used to keep the party going for other royal events. That includes Prince William’s wedding in 2011 and the Queen’s 90th birthday celebration in 2016. In the case of Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding, pub hours across England and Wales will run later on the night before and the night of their nuptials.
That’s a royal 2-for-1 special right there.
"The royal wedding is a chance for communities across the country to join together and celebrate this momentous and happy occasion for our royal family and for our nation," U.K. Home Secretary Amber Rudd told BBC. "As shown by the support for the proposal to extend licensing hours, it's clear that the public backs the idea of having more time to raise a glass to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on a day of national celebration."
We couldn’t agree more. Cheers to the happy couple! (And, as always, please drink responsibly.)