Football fans reacted with incredulity today after the royal wedding was revealed to have been booked for the same day as the FA Cup final.
The marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire.
But exactly six months ago today, the 2017/18 FA Cup final was announced for the same day about 18 miles away at Wembley Stadium in North West London.
The start time for the wedding nor the football match has yet been announced, but last season’s final in May between Arsenal and Chelsea began at 5.30pm.
As President of the Football Association, Harry’s older brother the Duke of Cambridge usually attends the high-profile match and presents the trophy.
But this year, William, who is tipped to be Harry’s best man, looks likely to be otherwise engaged with wedding duties.
Football supports and other Twitter users spoke of their amazement at the two events clashing – with some suggesting it will keep the police on their toes.
Sophia Cannon tweeted: ‘Royal Wedding on May 19 2018. Saturday, no Bank Holiday! It’s also the date of the FA Cup Final. The pub TV wars are going to interesting.’
Another added: ‘FA Cup final day… royal wedding day… transport, police.. yeah, they haven’t thought that one through have they.’
A third said: ‘Woah, woah, woah, the royal wedding and FA Cup date clash. Someone needs to sort this out before they book a venue or anything. Someone DM Harry.’
Royal weddings usually take place on a weekday. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wed on a Friday and the Queen on a Thursday.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose in the grounds of the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in West London after announcing their engagement on November 27
Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley Stadium in London in last season’s FA Cup final in May
Kensington Palace announced the wedding of Harry and Meghan will take place on May 19
The wedding will take place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in Berkshire next year
But Harry and his fiancee’s choice avoids the issue of whether the royal celebration should be a bank holiday.
May 19 is also the day in 1536 when Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I, was executed on Tower Green.
The May wedding will also have been picked to give Kate time to recover after the birth of her third child, which is due in April.
Palace aides have already said that the prince and Ms Markle’s wedding will ‘reflect their characters and personalities’ and be a moment of ‘fun and joy’.