Royal wedding invite for Rhondda youth volunteer

BBC Zoe Arundell reading her royal invitationBBC

A 20-year-old youth group volunteer has been picked to be invited to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle next month.

The couple asked Lord Lieutenants to invite 1,200 people - including young people who had shown strong leadership and served their communities.

Zoe Arundell, from Penygraig, Rhondda Cynon Taff, has volunteered with the charity Valleys Kids since she was 13.

She will watch the arrivals at the chapel and the carriage procession.

Miss Arundell said: "I opened it and I couldn't believe it. Everyone is so surprised - it's mad. I'm taking my nan as my plus-one. I just love my nan. We've got a lot of shopping to do.

"It still hasn't sunk in. It's so exciting."

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Altogether 2,640 members of the public are being invited to be in the grounds of Windsor Castle for the wedding on 19 May.

They will join 200 guests from organisations with ties to the couple, 100 pupils from local schools and 500 members of the Royal household.

Miss Arundell started attending Valleys Kids sessions from the age of six before becoming a volunteer. She led play groups, helping to build children's confidence.

She met Prince Harry and Ms Markle at Cardiff Castle on their first official visit to Wales in January when she explained the Valleys Kids projects to them.

"They're both lovely, down to earth," she said.

Zoe Arundell Zoe Arundell with Prince Harry and Meghan MarkleZoe Arundell
Zoe Arundell met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Cardiff Castle