PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the knot today and people across the district have been pulling out all the stops to celebrate.

There was no shortage of Royal Wedding fever at Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy yesterday as pupils staged a huge party to mark the big day.

They arrived at school dressed as princes and princesses, while staff members dressed as members of the Royal Family, before making their way to classrooms which had been adorned with bunting and decorations.

They then enjoyed a lunchtime feast of traditional fish and chips - served in Union Jack boxes - before singing a rousing rendition of the national anthem.

Ann Winter, co-principal at the school, said: “It was important to us to throw a party to mark the Royal Wedding to give all our pupils the chance to be a part of this joyous national event.

“It has been a lot of fun and I expect they certainly will remember where they were the day Harry and Meghan got married.

“We also used the occasion to fundraise for our chosen charity, the NSPCC.

“By making a small donation to dress as royalty for the day, our school community will help to make a difference to children who are supported by the charity.”

Year 3 pupil Esa Khalifa said: “This is the first Royal Wedding I can remember and I think spending the day as a prince will help me remember this forever.”

Elsewhere, pupils at Clayton Village Primary School, Laycock Primary School, Keighley, and little ones at Hunsworth Community Playgroup, Cleckheaton, staged their own mock weddings in celebration of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day.

Laycock Primary School pupils Eloise Pinder and Axel Dyson-Ryan at played the famous couple for a mock ceremony in the parish church this morning.

Then the entourage, including pupils playing bridesmaids and royal guests, returned to school for afternoon tea on the grass.

Teacher Freya Carroll said the entire school was involved in the event with pupils and staff dressing for the occasion, and taking food to share.

She said: “The day was absolutely fantastic and the children really got into it.

“They have been looking forward to the real wedding. They watched some interviews with Meghan and Harry, and we’ve talked about the Royal Family and British values.

During the ceremony, Eloise’s real-life brother Nathan gave her away. A vicar led a shortened version of the wedding service tailored to the occasion.

Many care homes across the district have also been celebrating. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Zafar Ali, is due to enjoy the occasion with residents of Mill Lodge Care Home in Thornbury.

Bradford’s City Hall clock tower bells will ring out at 1.01pm today and this evening the clock tower will be lit up in red, white and blue. The arches at Forster Square station approach will also be illuminated, the Union Jack will be flown in Centenary Square and coverage of the wedding will be shown on the big screen in City Park.