Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced today that they will marry on the same day as the inaugural Liverpool Boat Show kicks off.

The boat show will take place from April 29 to May 8 at Albert Dock in the heart of the city and has already secured commitment from major industry players, but its opening day is set to be overshadowed by the Royal wedding.

It is hoped 100,000 paying visitors, plus more than 300,000 non-paying visitors, will attend the show, but this figure could potentially be boosted with Prime Minister David Cameron promising a public holiday on Friday April 29.

Show organisers are already planning to erect a big screen at the show site, so visitors and exhibitors can watch the wedding.

Boat show director James Gower said: ‘It’s fantastic news that the wedding is to take place on the day the show opens.

‘We expect lots of media attention that day as TV crews descend on the Albert Dock to film the thousands of visitors watching the wedding on our big screen.

‘We’ll also give proceedings on the opening weekend a royal theme and hope to have some super special exhibits which reflect the mood of the country.

‘The wedding plans mean the show’s opening weekend will have a real celebratory and festival-like air. The fact it’s a bank holiday will also give us a real boost to visitor numbers.’

Subscribe to Yachting Monthly magazine for all the latest sailing news and reviews.