Divided Britain unites

At street parties and pubs around the country, Britons celebrated yesterday's royal wedding with bunting, booze and bonhomie in a welcome respite from the divisions and uncertainties of Brexit.

Families, friends and neighbours converged to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exchange vows in the last major royal wedding for a generation.

After weeks of media coverage on the wedding, and with clear blue skies replacing Britain's often dreary weather, the mood was a joyous one.

"It's a nice way to bring everyone together... at least just for the day," said Maha Khan, 22, watching the ceremony at a London pub called the Duke of Sussex -- the new title for Prince Harry.

Local authorities across the country have approved hundreds of street party applications, which allow roads to be shut to traffic and decked out with decorations.

People had also gathered around a big screen in the Pear Tree pub in Scotland's capital Edinburgh.

"I think it's just feeling a sense of belonging to a wonderful piece of history," said Clare Jevons, 51, from Somerset, one of those who turned out.