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Royal wedding street parties: Harry and Meghan fail to inspire Kent as applications down to less than a tenth of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

With less than a month to go until the royal wedding it seems people in Kent aren't too fussed about getting together with neighbours to celebrate.

Highways bosses at Kent County Council say they have only received 14 applications to close roads for street parties.

The figure is less than a tenth of the number approved for the wedding of his brother and sister-in-law the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. Picture: Eddie Mulholland/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. Picture: Eddie Mulholland/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire

Prince Harry, who is now sixth in line to the throne after the birth of William and Kate's third child this week, will tie the knot with American actress Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor on May 19.

Last Friday was the final day to apply to authorities to be allowed to have a road shut off for community celebrations.

Medway Council say they have had just two road closure applications for Rochester Avenue, Rochester and Allington Drive, Strood.

The lack of interest in the nuptials is in contrast to 182 street parties that were held in Kent when Harry's brother Prince William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in April 2011.

The largest to mark the occasion was in Gravesend and involved around 450 school pupils.

The UK was given an extra bank holiday and, in most cases, fees for road closures were waived with a special budget set aside to cover the cost.

Gurvinder Sandher, chief executive of Kent Equality Cohesion Council, which organised the Gravesend street party in 2011, said his team were looking to see if there was "scope and interest" for a party this year.

He said: "I think everyone is so busy now and there is paperwork involved in organising any type of event and sometimes people, with all the best will in the world, just don't have time."

The wedding clashes with the FA Cup final, which might have put off some football fans.

Despite the lack of street parties being planned, some public celebrations are being organised for next month's royal wedding.

Earlier this week it was revealed the ceremony will be screened live at Margate's Dreamland with free wrist bands for the rides available to anyone called Harry or Meghan or people wearing a wedding dress.

Are you holding a street party to celebrate the royal wedding? Let us know by emailing news@thekmgroup.co.uk

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