PRINCE William and his princess Kate Middleton sealed their marriage with TWO
tender kisses this afternoon.
The couple shared the brief but romantic pecks on the lips on the balcony at
Buckingham Palace, flanked by the Royal Wedding party and watched by the
world.
It was their first public display of affection since becoming husband and wife
in an historic fairytale ceremony at Westminster Abbey this morning.
The couple pledged their love for one another before a 1,900-strong
congregation and a TV audience estimated at TWO BILLION.
Joined by the Queen and their families, the couple then watched the thundering
flypast of a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane from the Battle of
Britain Memorial Flight.
At the Abbey, looking beautiful, but visibly nervous, softly-spoken Kate could
barely be heard reading her vows during this morning’s ceremony.
And there was a nerve-wracking fumble as Wills, 28, struggled to place the
ring on her finger.
Before the ceremony started, while the hymn Great Redeemer was being sung, he
was seen mouthing to his bride-to-be: “You look absolutely beautiful.”
According to The Sun’s lip-reader John Cassidy, the Prince then joked: “I
just thought it would be a small family affair.”
The deafening cheers of the crowd gathered around the Abbey could be heard
inside as the couple were pronounced man and wife.
In a stunning ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah
Burton at Alexander McQueen, Kate, 29, walked up the red carpeted aisle a
commoner.
But with her new husband at her side and a ring on her finger, the former Miss
Middleton today became HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, and a future Queen.
After the serivce, she and her husband were taken from the Abbey in the same
fairytale horse-drawn 1902 State Landau carriage used by Charles and Diana
on their wedding day 30 years ago.
William was at the wheel, while his RAF colleagues flew overhead in a yellow
rescue helicopter.
The world was given its first glimpse of Kate’s wedding dress as she left the
Goring Hotel to meet her Royal groom at the altar.
As she set off with her proud father Michael, the ecstatic crowds lining the
processional route roared.
Through the windows of the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, the bride could be seen
wearing the modern gown with lace applique, long sleeves and open neck, with
a veil covering her face.
Made of ivory and white satin gazar, the skirt was designed to resemble “an
opening flower” with white satin gazar arches and pleats.
And Kate’s bridal flowers contained a touching tribute to her husband to-be
her bouquet included sweet William.
She looked stunning as she was led down the aisle by her father, supported by
her sister Pippa.
Earlier, Wills emerged from Clarence House in a burgundy Bentley state
limousine and made his way to Westminster Abbey.
The man of the moment, who was this morning made the Duke of Cambridge, waved
to well-wishers as the car left his father’s official residence. He was
accompanied by brother Harry, his best man.
As the car emerged the crowd chanted: “We want Will! We want Will!”
Bells began to ring as the pair arrived at the Abbey.
There was little sign of pre-wedding nerves as Wills, dressed in a scarlet red
military tunic, chatted and laughed with Harry as they walked inside.
There, the Princes greeted and laughed with guests.
Minutes later, Prince Charles and Camilla arrived at the Abbey, followed
shortly by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Her Majesty looked radiant in a primrose dress with matching hat designed by
Angela Kelly.
The newlyweds will return to the palace later in a traditional open topped
horse-drawn carriage.
William followed Royal tradition and donned military uniform like his father
the Prince of Wales and grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh before him.
The groom, an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, was dressed in the
famous red tunic of an Irish Guards officer rather than his Air Force
uniform.
He holds the honorary rank of Colonel of the Irish Guards.
Captain Harry Wales, 26, newly promoted in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and
Royals, wore a Blues and Royals’ officer’s uniform in dismounted review
order, with a forage cap.
Guests, including Posh and Becks, singer Elton John, movie director Guy
Ritchie and PM David Cameron, dressed to impress for the service.
Kate curtsied to the Queen following the ceremony. It is the first time she
has been seen “paying obeisance” to the monarch in public.
The newest member of the Royal Family stopped at the front of the sacrarium
steps and turned to pay her formal respects to the sovereign.
A priest overjoyed with the Royal occasion took his chance to do a CARTWHEEL
down the famous Westminster Abbey aisle this afternoon.
SUN readers were quick to show their delight at the Royal Wedding on our
message boards today.
Commenting on our website, Zenith_66 wrote: “What a brilliant day- makes you
proud to be British!! Congratulations to the glorious happy couple!”
Ghost1970 posted: “I’ve never been much for the Royals but today I felt both
moved and proud to be British. Kate looked beautiful and they both looked
very much in love!”
Lordraven said: “The Bands, the uniforms, the pomp and pageantry of it all.
Nobody does it better and that is a fact.”
Mercury wrote: “Absolutely brilliant atmosphere. People have travelled from
numerous countries as far away as Australia to join in with the event and a
part of history.
“It’s good to see that the country has something to celebrate instead of all
the doom and gloom of recent months.”
Exservice commented: “I thought Kate looked elegant and very pretty.”
And Chlobo posted: “Kate looked amazing so demure! She really does seem like a
lovely woman.”