IT was a royal wedding with a difference, where talk was more likely to be about carrots than the 18-carat sapphire engagement ring on the bride’s finger.

For, Prince William and Kate Middleton, along with the Queen, Prince Charles and 65 guests were all rabbits.

The strange spectacle of 10 inch knitted figures marrying took place at Shaftesbury Street Methodist Church, Newport, on Monday.

Members of the University of the Third Age (U3A) spent three months knitting the characters, which include Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the Queen’s corgis, a guard in a sentry box and even a policeman, in case guests consumed too much carrot juice and got a bit unruly.

The U3A provides activities for people of retirement age and in the group that meets at Shaftesbury Street Methodist Church, there are 33 classes a week, with people aged 60 to 94 attending.

Its knitting group undertakes a project every year and it created a rabbit wedding, including 15 knitted characters, four years ago.

Group leader Pat Fackrell said: “With the royal wedding and it being Easter, we decided to combine the two. We started with 15 characters, but every week, members came in with more and more.”

In total, 12 members took part, using 24 knitting needles and 2,750 grams of wool, with 40 of the larger characters needing 50 gram balls and the other 30 needing 25 gram balls.

A rabbit alter-ego was created for all the main people, with Prince William in Royal Air Force uniform, Prince Harry in army uniform, the Queen wearing her crown and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in robes similar to the ones he will wear to marry the couple.

Stands were made to keep the stuffed rabbits upright, while the group painted a mural of Westminster Abbey to position them in front of.

The display appears in the window of the St David’s Foundation shop, Skinner Street, Newport, from April 27 to 30.

Mrs Facknell said group members are “big Royal fans” and 49 members will attend a special party in Swansea on the big day.

To join the U3A, call her on 01633420279.