Mirror mirror: The striking similarity between Kate's Royal Wedding dress and the gown worn by Berlusconi's princess goddaughter

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

Similarities: Italian-born Isabella Orsini (left) was stunned to notice the likeness between her own gown, from her wedding two years ago, and the Sarah Burton dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge last month


There were gasps across the world when the new Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in her wedding gown at Westminster Abbey last month.

But another princess across Europe was more stunned than most as Prince William's bride walked down the aisle in her couture gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

Isabella Orsini, who is the goddaughter of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, married Belgian Prince Edouard de Ligne two years ago in a startlingly similar dress.


Mirror mirror: Both women are slim, very pretty brunettes, who married into European royalty


Although hers was made for her by Belgian designer Gerald Watelet, it bore many similar hallmarks, from the lace applique bodice and sleeves to its full skirt and dramatic train.

The similarities are heightened by the fact that both women are slim, very pretty brunettes, and though the hairstyle differed, they both wore veils with diamond tiaras.

The likeness is so striking that newspapers and magazines across Germany, Belgium, France and Italy branded Catherine's dress a copy, with headlines reading 'Copy-Kate' and 'Copycat Kate'.


Making an entrance: Like Catherine, Ms Orsini had a long train on her gown by Belgian designer Gerald Watelet


Ms Orsini, 36, who is an actress, makes no such claim, though she does agree that comparisons between the two sets of wedding pictures are uncanny.

She told Italian magazine Novella 2000: 'As soon as the Duchess of Cambridge went out to go to church, I thought her dress was a copy of mine.

'It means Kate Middleton has good taste.'


Fashion statement: Catherine's dress had a full skirt and dramatic train to match the Westminster Abbey venue


The style, it appears, is a popular one for those marrying into European royalty.

Both the Duchess and Ms Orsini's dress mirror the wedding gown of Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married Ranier III, Prince of Monaco, in 1956.



Style inspiration? Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married Ranier III in 1956


Miranda Eason, editor of You & Your Wedding magazine, made the same observation.

She told the Daily Express: 'The reason they are similar is they both referenced Grace Kelly’s iconic wedding dress.'

But she added, there were plenty of differences between the Duchess and Ms Orsini's gowns.

'It’s a similar neckline and there are other similarities but the skirt, for example, is different,' she said.


Scoop: Kate ha copiato l'abito da sposa all'attrice italiana Isabella Orsini



source: dailymail

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Prince Harry's wedding day secret revealed: He had hidden pocket sewn into uniform to keep Kate's ring safe

By Rebecca English


Lord of the ring: Prince Harry walks sister of the bride and maid of honour Philippa Middleton down the aisle in Westminster Abbey


Prince Harry was so scared of dropping Kate Middleton’s wedding ring that he had a secret pocket built into his uniform to carry it, MailOnline can reveal.

While most best men carry the ring in their trouser or jacket pocket, Harry’s Blues and Royals military outfit was so tight fitting that the tailor, Kashket and Partners, was unable to incorporate one into the design.

So with the prince’s help, the firm came up with the idea of a special gold embroidered cuff which could be attached to Harry's jacket. Sewn inside was a secret compartment in which the precious Welsh gold ring could be kept safe.


The entire set up was so discreet that Harry was able to stand at the high altar at Westminster Abbey, in front of an estimated two billion television viewers, and pull the band out without anyone knowing.

Kashket began as hatters to the Russian royal court in the early 20th century. It specialises in parade and ceremonial uniforms and holds a royal warrant from the Queen.

Recently the company made a suit for Colin Firth in the film The King's Speech and made all of Jude Law’s outfits in the movie Alfie.

Cunning: Prince Harry's secret cuff pocket, made by Kashket and Partners


Harry’s cuff was made from a heavyweight Melton wool fabric embroidered with a two per cent pure gold wire.

A spokesman said: 'The team were asked to design a small pocket to keep Kate’s ring safe, particularly during the journey from Clarence House to Westminster Abbey, as Harry has no pocket in his military trousers.

Can you spot it? Prince Harry's secret pocket meant he could remain cool and calm about producing the ring in front of two billion TV viewers


'Harry, aware that he would be waving to the crowds, feared he may drop the ring and wanted a secret compartment.

'The brothers wanted the day to run smoothly and decided this would be the best option.

'We were happy to oblige.'

A royal source added: ‘Prince Harry was terrified that he would arrived at the Abbey and find out that he had dropped the ring on the way. His brother was always ribbing him about it.'

Kashket also made Prince William’s Irish Guards uniform for the big day as well as the page boy outfits.

Near the knuckle: The moment Prince William slid the ring onto Kate's finger, with a bit of wriggling


source:dailymail

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Harry pays tribute to William 'the dude'...but ditches his comments about Kate's killer legs in speech that left her 'touched'

By Katie Nicholl, Mail On Sunday Royal Correspondent


Kate's second dress was a strapless white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist. William stuck to the safe bet of a dinner jacket and bow tie


-William and Kate leave Buckingham Palace by helicopter for honeymoon

-Couple spent first married night together at the Palace

-Prince Charles quipped about his son going bald during speeches

-Harry leaves party in minibus at 3am - while Chelsy Davy leaves in car with Beatrice and Eugenie

Prince Harry paid a moving tribute to his brother ‘The Dude’ and his new sister-in-law ‘The Duchess’ during a heartfelt speech at their evening wedding reception on Friday.

Harry also told the couple’s friends and family that he loved Kate ‘like a sister’ and how the story of the couple’s long romance ‘inspires’ him. According to several guests, Kate was ‘very emotional and touched’ by Harry’s tribute and even shed a tear during the evening’s festivities.

Harry delivered his best man’s speech, which he had been working on for the past fortnight, at 9.30pm after 300 of the couple’s close family and friends had enjoyed a three-course meal with vintage champagne.


He had asked his best friends Thomas Van Straubenzee and Guy Pelly to be a sounding board ahead of the speech and is understood to have dropped a reference to ‘Kate’s killer legs’ from the final edit.

‘Harry had some joke in about how he had immediately given Kate the thumbs up when William first brought her home because she had such a great pair of pins, but he didn’t want to embarrass her,’ said a friend.

According to sources inside the evening reception, Harry’s speech was ‘warm and affectionate’ and peppered with good humour and jokes.

One partygoer leaving Buckingham Palace event in the early hours of Saturday told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Harry said William was the perfect brother. It was exactly how you would expect a best man’s speech to be. He cracked loads of jokes about William.

He called him a “dude” several times. He kept coming back to it, saying “What a dude”.’

Harry described his brother’s relationship with Kate as ‘inspirational’ and to much applause added: ‘William didn’t have a romantic bone in his body before he met Kate, so I knew it was serious when William suddenly started cooing down the phone at Kate.’

Harry, famous for his impersonations, then did a high-pitched impression of Kate calling William ‘Billy’ and of his brother calling Kate ‘baby’, to much hilarity from the guests.


Charles's jokes at wedding breakfast
Earlier in the day it was the Prince of Wales who had been playing the joker, making a comment about his son’s thinning hair during the wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace.

‘The thing about growing older is that your children get taller than you so they can see your bald spots. Now in my case, I can see his,’ Prince Charles remarked, to which William retorted: ‘You got there before Harry!’ to much laughter.

William delivered a brief speech at the wedding breakfast where he proudly introduced his wife as ‘Mrs Wales’ even though the couple will be formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

A heartfelt Prince William declared his new wife 'my rock' in the emotional speech, given to guests at the intimate reception.

In what was a tribute to the normality and security Kate provides him, William's words revealed just how indebted he is to Kate for her support.

‘It was received with cheers and shouts of hoorah,’ said one guest. ‘William and Catherine were amazingly relaxed, and although it was a formal affair, it felt very relaxed and intimate. Catherine was amazingly calm and said how thrilled she was with the day. She and William didn’t leave one another’s side. They said it was the happiest day of their lives.

‘William was very gracious and thanked absolutely everyone for making the day come together. He thanked everyone from the florist to the chef.’

Attentive: Prince William comments on the antics of bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem


How they watched themselves on TV

After the wedding breakfast the newlyweds returned to Clarence House in Prince Charles’s Aston Martin, which had been customised by the best man with balloons and a ‘JU5T WED’ number plate.

Harry returned shortly afterwards and he, Kate and William spent the afternoon relaxing and watching a replay of the wedding ceremony on television.

As they made their way to the reception with Charles and Camilla, William was heard talking about how his goddaughter bridesmaid Grace Van Cutsem, the three-year-old daughter of his friends Hugh and Rose Van Cutsem, had covered her ears with her hands because of the thunderous applause from the crowds at The Mall.

‘Did you see how terrified Grace looked?’ he remarked to his wife.

Party that rocked Buckingham Palace

As predicted, the evening celebrations continued into the early hours. The Queen and Prince Philip had left Buckingham Palace to William and Kate, and glitter balls had been hung in the throne room where a disco continued into the small hours.

Kate had changed out of her Alexander McQueen wedding dress and into a floor-length ivory satin gazar gown with a diamante-embroidered waistband and a cream-coloured angora bolero jacket, also designed by her wedding dress maker Sarah Burton. Her hairdresser James Pryce reprised her engagement day hairstyle for the evening event.

Kate left Clarence House to travel by car to Buckingham Palace with her husband, who was dressed in a dinner jacket and black tie. They were followed by Charles, also wearing a dinner suit, and Camilla, who wore a blue Anna Valentine dress.

4am girls: Her outfit looking a little worse for wear, Beatrice, left, leaves the unofficial afterparty at The Goring hotel having swapped her heels for trainers. Eugenie, meanwhile is still smiling despite the hour


Flamboyant: Princess Eugenie and Beatrice attended the wedding earlier in the day wearing outlandish outfits

As they filtered into the party guests were greeted by a military band in full uniform and serenaded with bagpipes. The atmosphere inside the Palace was described as ‘electric’ and ‘buzzing’ by a female band member who performed for the couple.

‘Kate looked beautiful. Absolutely serene. She had changed into a full-length white dress. It was stunning. I saw the couple together.

She and William both looked very, very happy and were smiling as people came over to them.’

At 8.30pm a three-course dinner was served by Swiss chef Anton Mossiman. He had brought 25 staff from his Knightsbridge restaurant into the Palace.

William, Kate and Pippa, Kate’s younger sister and Maid of Honour who has been instrumental in helping to plan the party, had visited Mosimann’s last month for a tasting and instructed the chef to create a ‘simple and unstuffy but sophisticated menu’.

Harry was seated next to his on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy and gave his speech at 9.30pm after dinner was served.

‘Kate had been amazingly composed throughout the day, but she did look as though she had a tear in her eye when Harry gave his speech. She was very emotional,’ said a source.

The father of the bride delivered a speech that had the whole room roaring with laughter when he told the controversial story of William landing his Chinook in the back garden of the Middletons’ family home.

‘I knew things were getting serious when I found a helicopter in my garden. I thought, gosh, he must like my daughter,’ said Michael Middleton.

Speaking warmly of William, whom he called ‘one of the family’, Mr Middleton said: ‘I did wonder then how William was going to top this if they ever got engaged. I just thought, What will he do? You can’t get much better than that and we are certainly not used to Princes landing helicopters in the garden.'

Palace joker: Prince Harry takes his Master of Ceremonies duties carefully, clutching a microphone as he leaves Buckingham Palace in a coach on Friday night

Long day: Princesses Beatrice and Eugiene leave in a royal car with Chelsy Davy, centre

Princess Beatrice leaves the Palace in a purple and gold outfit after the evening celebration for 300 close friends and family

Morning after: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is driven away from Clarence House this morning after last night's celebration at Buckingham Palace

All change: Pippa Middleton, right, and Carole Middleton, left, in fresh outfits for evening celebration

Just wed: Couple return to Buckingham Palace last night for the evening reception with 300 guests where Prince Harry delivered his best man speech

Celebrations: The indigo sky above Kate's hometown of Bucklebury is lit up with fireworks as villagers mark the occasion of the royal wedding with festivities

In the pink: A stunning scene over Bucklebury's local pub brings an end to a day of street parties and revelry

One last look: Unable to resist a backward glance, Kate leaves the balcony with her proud husband


Party-goers said that both William and Harry used the evening to pay moving tributes to their late mother, Princess Diana.

‘All the speeches mentioned Diana. Of course they did, she was their mother after all,’ said one.

After the speeches William and Kate took to the dance floor by themselves for the first dance, a rendition of Elton John’s Your Song sung by Ellie Goulding.

The 24-year-old singer – the only act to perform during the night – was chosen by the couple because she is their favourite artist.

‘It was an amazing honour to be asked by Kate and William to perform at their party. The atmosphere was incredible and it is a night I will never forget,’ she said yesterday.

The music continued until 2am. Among the songs played were You’re The One That I Want from the musical Grease. William had requested songs by rapper Tinie Tempah and the Body Rockers’ I Like The Way You Move.

Even the mother of the bride had a request and asked for the 1986 Jermaine Stewart song We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off to be played.

Two female party-goers said the dancing was ‘fun and outrageous’, adding: ‘There was a chicken dance with lots of arm flapping, which was particularly good fun. Everyone was on the dance floor. The guests were really up for partying.’

Even back-room staff weren’t exempt – Buckingham Palace catering staff said the Palace threw a party for workers with bottles of Jacobs Creek wine, Boddingtons beer, vodka and gin on the menu.

Just after midnight the first guests began to leave. Among them were Charles and Camilla, the official hosts of the event, who were whisked through the main Palace gates at 12.20am looking happy and relaxed despite the long day.

At 2.45am loud cheers could be heard from over the Palace walls as a fireworks display was let off in the back garden. Partygoers whooped and cheered as red and white rockets were fired in short bursts.

By 3am only a handful of hardened party-goers were left inside the Palace, including Harry, Chelsy and Pippa.


source: dailymail

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Middletons go home ... £250,000 poorer: Family’s huge bill for hotel, banquets, outfits and jewellery

By ROBERT VERKAIK

All smiles: Pippa, in jeans showing off the figure that has won her fans on Facebook, leads her mother Carole, brother James and father Michael out of the Goring Hotel yesterday


After a long day and night of celebrating, the Middletons finally emerged from the five-star Goring Hotel yesterday... perhaps thinking: ‘And about time, too.’

As speculation intensifies over the family’s wealth, inquiries have revealed that the wedding has cost them at least £250,000.

The bill for the exclusive hire of the 71-room hotel near Buckingham Palace is estimated at £85,000 alone. The Royal Suite, where Kate spent her last nights as a single woman is so exclusive, it has not been officially priced.


Rear of the Year? It's already in the bag: Pippa says a final farewell before starting the journey home


But the 200-strong crowd that cheered the family outside the hotel did not detect any regrets as they headed for their chauffeur-driven car, waving and smiling.

Pippa, 27 – carrying a bag and wearing skin-tight white jeans that accentuated the derriere that has inspired many Facebook tribute sites – led out her parents Carole and Michael and younger brother James, 23.


Pricey night: The bill for the exclusive hire of the 71-room Goring Hotel is believed to cost £85,000


The family is also estimated to have paid £25,000 for two parties at the hotel. On Thursday, Kate treated 120 friends and family to a buffet. And after Friday’s ceremony, Carole and Michael hosted an extravagant wedding party for a wider circle. Beluga caviar on The Goring restaurant menu is £400 for 100g while a bottle of Dom Perignon can cost £1,530.

Even if some Middleton guests paid for their rooms and the family secured a discount they will still be facing a bill approaching £100,000.

Last night the hotel said the terms of the booking were private. Kate’s bridal gown, designed by Sarah Burton, is said to have cost up to £40,000. Carole’s outfit by Catherine Walker would have cost £10,000 and Pippa’s dress, also by Sarah Burton, about £20,000.

Kate’s earrings, from Robinson Pelham, are believed to have set her parents back £15,000. A pendant and earrings for Carole, earrings for Pippa and gold tie sticks for Michael and James cost about £30,000.

The bridal shoes, designed at Alexander McQueen, and bridal flowers would have cost at least £3,000. Morning suits for Michael and James, by Gieves & Hawkes, would have cost £10,000. The Middletons would have also paid for suits and dresses for the evening, costing up to £20,000.


My hat: Mr Middleton loses his topper as he exits the bride's Rolls-Royce



Proud moment: The father of the bride looks on as Prince William is joined by Kate at the altar

source: dailymail

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The eight-tiered Royal Wedding cake decorated with 900 symbolic sugar-paste flowers on Kate's request

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The masterpiece: Fiona Cairns, stands next to the wedding cake that she and her team made for Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace

They celebrated their love for each other today in a lavish Royal Wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey and this is the extraordinary cake that they enjoyed at the reception.

Prince William and his bride Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, cut the first slice of the magnificent eight-tiered wedding cake this afternoon as they celebrated their marriage with friends and family.

The confectionery masterpiece covered in cream and white icing and decorated with up to 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers was centre-stage at the Buckingham Palace reception held in the picture gallery.


Hard work: The project has left cake-maker Fiona Cairns exhausted but elated after working for five weeks on the project


The project has left cake-maker Fiona Cairns exhausted but elated after working for five weeks on it which has tested her skills and those of her team to the limit.

Ms Cairns, 56, whose confections are sold in Harrods, Selfridges and Waitrose, was contacted by St James's Palace in February and asked if she would make William and Kate's wedding cake.

Speaking at Buckingham Palace after she had put the final touches to the cake, she said: ‘The picture gallery has high ceilings and is an imposing room so I wanted the cake to have presence but not to be imposing and I think it worked.


Finishing touches: Staff perfect the special cake, that was covered in cream and white icing and decorated with up to 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers


‘Catherine did not want it to be seven feet tall, she didn't want it to be towering and thin, and I think we succeeded.

The bride wanted elements from the Joseph Lambeth technique of cake decoration, where intricate piping is used to make three dimensional scroll work, leaves, flowers and other adornments.

Kate also gave Ms Cairns detailed instructions for her to include 17 different blooms and foliage for their meaning or symbolism - known as the ‘language of flowers’.


Fruity! The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are fans of the baker's fruit cakes, while Paul McCartney orders one for Christmas every year


Ms Cairns, who lives in Leicestershire where her factory is based, started her business from her kitchen table and now employs more than 50 people.

She said: ‘I could not believe I finished it in time but we were all really pleased with it. I worked at the palace for two days before the wedding, setting it up with my team.

‘The hardest part was transporting the cakes from Leicestershire to the palace - we were worried they would get damaged - then we had to assemble them.

‘It was tough work but I really enjoyed it. It's been an extraordinary commission.’


Delicious: Rachel Jane Eardley, left, and Diane Pallett prepare the royal wedding cake in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace


Team work: Fiona Cairns (back) instructs her Royal Wedding cake team during the finishing touches at Buckingham Palace


Newlyweds: Prince William and his bride Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, enjoyed the Royal Wedding cake at their reception


The Royal Wedding's Lavish Cakes



source: dailymail

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The moment the world held its breath as William struggled to get the ring on Kate's finger

By Andy Milne


Tense moment: Prince William puts the ring on Kate, Duchess of Cambridge's finger during their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey


It was the moment two billion people held their breath.

As William put the ring on his bride's finger in Westminster Abbey, for just a second, it looked like it wouldn't fit.

But the prince managed to stay cool in a tight spot, no doubt helped by his time at Sandhurst, and struggled the simple gold band into place.

It was the only tense moment of a spectacular fairytale ceremony inside Westminster Abbey.

Struggle: William had to apply a considerable amount of pressure to get the ring into place. But he stayed cool and eventually got the simple band into place

The future king and his bride, who will now one day be queen, pledged their love for one another in the ancient surroundings, watched by two billion across the globe.

The Rolls-Royce carrying the bride arrived Westminster Abbey at 11am as the church bells rang out.

When her father took her left hand they began their procession along the red carpet that started outside the ancient building and led inside, with her sister Pippa carrying her train.

The Dean of Westminster greeted the bride and her father and the pair paused as final adjustments were made to the dress before the procession began.

As her young bridesmaids and pageboys assembled behind her in the nave, beneath the impressive 18th-century stained glass West Window, Miss Middleton was able to take in the abbey's shimmering Waterford crystal chandeliers and vast gothic arches above her.

Arrival: Prince William and his best man Britain's Prince Harry arrive at Westminster Abbey

Here come the relatives: Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, left arrived after Carole Middleton, right, who chose a sky blue outfit

More royalty: Zara Philips chose a grey outfit with a striking slanted hat, while Prince Edward arrived in military uniform

Proud moment: The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall wave as their car makes its way to the Abbey

Here to see her son: The Queen greets The Right Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster at the Abbey

Royal arrival: Prince Charles and Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey followed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Senior politicians are sitting in the stalls behind the choir

Her big moment: Kate Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton and her sister Philippa Middleton at the West Door of Westminster Abbey

Soaking it all up: Philippa Middleton looks after the junior bridesmaids as Kate waves to the crowds outside the Abbey

Time to go inside: Philippa Middleton gathers the bridesmaids and page boys and takes them into the church

Here we go: Kate Middleton heads inside with her father Michael as her sister Pippa holds her dress

A fairytale begins: The Dean of Westminster greats the bride, left, and she walks through the avenue of trees with her father Michael

Nerves jangling: The bride walks through the avenue of trees as she enters the Abbey

Here comes the bride: Kate Middleton is led by her father along the aisle at Westminster Abbey as senior politicians including Ed Miliband, the Prime Minister and William Hague look on

Cavernous ceilings: Kate walked up the aisle to the sound of coronation anthem Parry's I Was Glad

Ceremony begins: The first hymn sung was Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, which was the last sung at Princess Diana's funeral


On her father's arm, Kate walked up the aisle as a commoner to the sounds of the coronation anthem, Parry's 'I Was Glad'.

When they arrived at the altar Prince William apparently cracked a joke to his father-in-law, according to a lip-reader, saying: 'We're supposed to have just a small family affair.'

Moments earlier, William's best man Prince Harry apparently told his brother: 'Right she is here now.'

As her groom waited, Kate moved along the red carpet, around the south side of the poppy-lined Grave of the Unknown Warrior - the only gravestone in the abbey over which it is not permitted to walk.

Behind her was her maid of honour and sister charmingly holding hands with the youngest of the bridesmaids Eliza Lopes and Grace van Cutsem - both just three-years-old.

Knelt in prayer: The bride and groom were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury

Brothers and sisters: Best man Prince Harry and chief bridesmaid Phillipa Middelton follow the husband and wife out the Abbey to a crowd of adoring royal fans


They were followed by Lady Louise Windsor and the Hon Margarita Armstrong-Jones, and then the page boys Tom Pettifer and Billy Lowther-Pinkerton.

Walking through the 'avenue of trees', Kate processed past delighted guests seated facing inwards in the nave before moving through the intricate golden quire screen, on top of which sit the orchestra, and into the quire.

In the Victorian gothic wooden stalls lined with red lamps, sat Prime Minister David Cameron and other senior politicians and high commissioners, as well as the two choirs and their schoolboy choristers.

Here, Miss Middleton made her way to the Lantern, where she finally met William, resplendent in his dashing red Irish Guards uniform, at the Sacrarium steps.

In the south transept stood William's grandparents the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, his father the Prince of Wales and stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall, and other members of the Royal Family.

In the north transept were the Middletons and many of William and Kate's close friends.

Husband and wife: The royal couple leave the Abbey after the ceremony. Kate's dress was designed by Sarah Burton. William wears his ceremonial Iriah Guards uniform

You look beautiful: Kate Middleton and Prince William hold hands as the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams conducts the service


The first hymn, Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, rose high into the nave as the choirs of the abbey and Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's, led the congregation in singing.

Dean of Westminster Dr John Hall began the service with the famous words: 'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony...'

The cleric went on to utter the immortal lines: '...if any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.'

Before beginning the marriage ceremony, the Archbishop asked the couple if there was any reason why they could not wed.

He said to the bride and groom: '...if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it.'

The only two acceptable reasons would be if couple were too closely related or if either were already married.

William spoke in public for the first time today when he replied 'I will' in a clear and strong voice to the Archbishop of Canterbury's question about whether he would 'love, comfort, honour and keep' Kate.

His bride spoke more softly when she said 'I will' in response to the same question.

Kate looked nervous and at several points appeared slightly choked with emotion as she repeated her vows in front of the large congregation.

In his address, the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, read a prayer penned by William and Kate.

Fairytale ceremony: Prince William and the new Duchess of Cambridge leave the Abbey

Honour guard: Soldiers, sailor and airmen follow the royal couple away from the Abbey

The fairytale continues: Guests awaiting the arrival of the bride at the beginning of the ceremony


The newlyweds asked for spiritual help to maintain focus on the things that mattered, and to be "generous" with their "time and love and energy".

They also called on God to help them 'serve and comfort those who suffer' - a declaration of intent for their new life together.

The bishop, who has close links to the groom and his family, told the congregation: "I pray that everyone present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today will do everything in their power to support and uphold you in your new life.

'I pray that God will bless you in the way of life you have chosen, a way which is expressed in the prayer that you have written together in preparation for this day.

'God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.

'In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.

'Strengthened by our union, help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen'."

The couple and their immediate family enjoyed their only private moment of the service when they retired to the abbey's holiest area to sign the registers.

The bride and groom were joined by Charles and Camilla, Michael and Carole Middleton, best man Harry and Kate's brother James and sister Pippa in the tiny enclosed Chapel of St Edward the Confessor behind the altar.

After a few minutes the newlyweds were left on their own for a period with just Harry and Pippa.

When they emerged, the couple approached the Queen and paused to pay their respects to the monarch.

Kate gave a low curtsy - the first time she has formally acknowledged the sovereign in public - while William nodded to his grandmother.

A special fanfare entitled Valiant And Brave - after the motto of the Prince's RAF Search and Rescue No 22 Squadron - was played.

The 30-second newly commissioned celebration was sounded by seven trumpeters and one drummer from the Central Band of the RAF.

The bride and groom then processed down the nave with Harry and Pippa behind them arm in arm, moving on to the adoring crowds outside.









source:dailymail

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