Picnics, pints and patriotism were the order of the day in Wells as more than 1,000 people watched the Royal Wedding together on a giant TV screen.

The 3.8m x 2.6m screen drew the massive crowd to the green at the Buttlands, which was the focal point for the start of a two-day celebration.

Many dressed in their wedding finery, others chose to drape themselves in Union Flags or paint their faces red, white and blue, while aspiring young princesses wore tin-foil tiaras.

Among those who donned their Sunday best for their wedding picnic were Joyce and Paul Cox, from Northfield Lane.

Joyce, a secretary at Wells Primary School, said: 'Well, you couldn't go to a wedding without wearing a hat would you?'

'It's a wonderful day and it's all about the sense of occasion, so we've got Pimm's and Champagne here as well. The best thing is being part of a community and being together with our friends – and being able to drink at ten o'clock in the morning!

'It is the next best thing to being invited to the wedding. Kate looks stunning – she looks like Grace Kelly.'

The Coxs enjoyed the day with their friends Brian Ayton, curator of the Bygones museum at Holkham Hall, and his wife Sue, who is an administrator at Orchard Caravans.

Sue said: 'The day has been full of happiness and that can only be a good thing. I think the community should get together more often. You don't have to be a royalist to enjoy this. It is about getting together and having something to celebrate when there is so much doom and gloom in the world.'

Each poignant moment of the televised ceremony was met with applause and the flag-waving crowd joined in heartily as the Westminster Abbey congregation sang Jerusalem and God Save the Queen.

James Platten, part of the Wells Street Party organising committee, said: 'We were really worried about the weather but it has turned out fantastically – we couldn't have planned it better. The bright blue skies have really brought the people out, both visitors, holidaymakers and locals alike.

'It is great that we've got something like the Royal Wedding which we can celebrate together. There's a real sense of togetherness, and the atmosphere has been fantastic.'

The Wells celebrations were organised in conjunction with the nearby Holkham Estate whose owner, Viscount Coke, also joined in the fun.

After arriving on his bicycle, Lord Coke said: 'It is incredibly emotional, and I think a lot of people have surprised themselves by the emotion they have displayed. The minority who are against this sort of thing are always given undue air-time, but the silent majority have very much shown their pride in our monarchy today.'