LIVE BLOG Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton
In the Queen’s own words it was an “amazing” day: see how the wedding of the century unfolded via the Channel 4 News live blog, plus the Royal Wedding in 60 seconds.
Royal Wedding latest: add your voice
18.00: For a full round up of the Royal Wedding – with reports from Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Matthew Cain, Darshna Soni and Katie Razzall plus a live debate with historian David Starkey and Billy Bragg – watch Channel 4 News at 7pm.
16:00: The Queen says “it was amazing” after watching William wed his bride Kate. The monarch made the comment as she walked up the red carpeted steps of Buckingham Palace’s Grand Entrance following the carriage procession from Westminster Abbey, past the cheering crowds.
15.40: In a surprise appearance, Prince William drives his new wife Princess Catherine down the Mall to Clarence House in an Aston Martin Volante. The vehicle sports an L-plate and a “Just Wed” sign. Prince William’s RAF colleagues fly overhead in a rescue helicopter.
15.20: Kate Middleton, the new Duchess of Cambridge, has been welcomed into the RAF family as well as the Royal Family. Prince William is a search and rescue helicopter pilot on Anglesey. Squadron Leader Spike Wright, the Royal’s immediate boss, said: “We will welcome them both in to our fold as we already have done.”
15.10: Royal Wedding day exuberance? A cartwheeling verger goes head over heels in Westminster Abbey. Watch it here.
15.00: Royal Wedding parties are taking place across the world, with two billion people following the event globally. Kenya’s tourist board handed out red roses picked from the Rift Valley to mark the occasion. The biggest ex-pat celebrations are in Spain’s Costa del Sol, home to hundreds of thousands of Brits. In New York “Big Apple Brits” are planning an all-nighter with comedy acts, DJs and theatre performances. The “British Club” of Singapore has begun 10 days of celebrations. Read more: the Royal view from around the world
The Queen says ‘it was amazing’
14.30: Lunchtime reception taking place with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Guests enjoying traditionally English delights such as bubble and squeak canapes and miniature Yorkshire puddings.
14:00: National celebrations are in full swing across Britain with hundreds of street parties up and down the country. Tell us about yours @channel4news or via facebook.com/Channel4News
13.32: Newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton wave goodbye to the crowds.
More from Channel 4 News: Royal Wedding: ‘just a small family affair’
13.30: Royal fly-past. Lancaster bombers and Spitfires overhead followed by Tornadoes and Typhoons.
13.29: A second kiss for the happy couple!
13.25: Huge cheers as Prince William kisses his bride.
13.20: Countdown to the kiss. All eyes beginning to fix upon the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
VIDEO: Krishnan Guru-Murthy with the crowds waiting for the kiss
13.00: Our Channel 4 News Hyde Park cheering monitors report that the biggest applause earlier was for the Queen, followed by Kate Middleton and Prince Harry.
12.30: Police warn there is no more space on the ceremonial route, urging spectators to stay where they are.
12.20: The sun comes out for the Royal procession. Smiles and waves from Prince William and Princess Catherine for jubilant crowds on the Mall. God Save the Queen sounds out as the couple’s carriage enters Buckingham Palace.
@alextomo tweets from Libya: In Tripoli Street, Misrata. Man comes out of ruins and says: "British royal wedding - Gaddafi not invited ha ha ha"
12.10: Your carraige awaits. Prince William and his bride leave the abbey and climb into their 1902 State Landau carriage. Smiles for the cheering crowd. The national party begins. (p.s. no rain yet)
12.05: The newlyweds pass the Queen and walk down the aisle. Many smirks and nods from William, acknowledging friends in the congregation.
11.55: After a rousing rendition of the national anthem, Prince William and wife Catherine sign the register.
Latest pictures: Royal Wedding photo gallery
11.50: The congregation in Westminster Abbey sing William Blake’s Jerusalem. England’s green and pleasantness has moved inside the abbey, which is lined with green trees.
11.45: A lipreader claims Prince William cracked a joke to his father-in-law at the altar before the ceremony, saying: “We’re supposed to have just a small family affair”. The joke by William to Mr Middleton was spotted by Tina Lannin from O’Malley Communications.
(Pictured: crowds cheer the vows in London’s Hyde Park)
11.30: “It is good that people in every continent are able to share this day – a day of hope”, says Bishop of London Richard Chartres.
11.20: Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams pronounces Prince William and Kate Middleton “man and wife”. William, 28, and Middleton, 29, exchanged vows before nearly 2,000 guests in the abbey and a television and internet audience of millions.
11.15: Prince William and Kate make their vows. A few nervous blinks but lines flawless. William puts the wedding ring on Kate’s finger. The crowds outside cheer the vows. The bride did not promise to obey William.
BLOG: Krishnan Guru-Murthy: A wedding parade of our times
11.08: Kate Middleton reaches the altar and stands beside Prince William. He mouths “you look beautiful”. Harry cracks a smile. The first hymn is Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer.
11.00: Kate Middleton enters Westminster Abbey and prepares to ascend the aisle.
11.00: Sarah Burton is confirmed as the Royal Wedding dress designer; an ivory gown with lace applique floral detail with Chantilly lace sleeves. Originially made in France, it is well known in bridal dress-making circles as a way of covering up bare-arms without looking too traditional. Read here: Royal Wedding dress: the verdict
10.56: The bridesmaids led by Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa assemble in Westminster Abbey as the bride travels along the Mall.
10.52: The first glimpse of Kate Middleton. The bride travels with her father in a Rolls-Royce Phantom – the same vehicle damaged last year by anti-capitalist protesters when Prince Charles and Camilla were on board.
Prince William mouths ‘You look beautiful’.
10.50: The Queen enters Westminster Abbey to a trill of regal trumpets as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall greet the Dean of Westminster.
10.40: The Queen, in primrose yellow, departs from Buckingham Palace alongside Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
10.35: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of Prince Andrew, arrive by car.
10.30: Carole Middleton, accompanied by her son James, arrive. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is due to join them in the abbey shortly.
10.25: The bride’s mother Carole and brother James set off for Westminster Abbey.
More from Channel 4 News: Last-minute arrests and banning orders ahead of Royal Wedding
10.20: Prince William and Harry chat with clergy. Both look relaxed, only sign of nerves is in the adjusting of cuffs.
10.17: William and Harry pass through Parliament Square and arrive at Westminster Abbey. A salute from William as he enters the abbey. Bells chiming, red carpet awaits. As the brothers pass cheering well-wishers, a short distance away at Goring Hotel, Kate Middleton is putting the finishing touches to her bridal ensemble.
10.15: Westminster Abbey continues to fill up. Among the wedding guests are the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, William’s father the Prince of Wales and stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall and other senior royals along with the Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are not invited. Celebrity guests include the Beckhams, Sir Elton John, Madonna’s ex-husband Guy Ritchie, Rowan Atkinson and Joss Stone.
10.14: Prince William in red uniform leaves Clarence House with his best man Prince Harry. The pair wave to the crowd, looking relaxed.
10.12: Kate Middleton’s mother Carole is wearing a sky blue wool crepe coatdress with matching satin piping. The dress and coatdress are by Catherine Walker. Mrs Middleton’s hat is by Berkshire-based Jane Corbett.
10.10: Prince William and Prince Harry are due to emerge from Clarence House imminently.
10.05: David and Samantha Cameron enter Westminster Abbey, the prime minister in morning suit.
10.00: The best kept secret of the Royal Wedding remains Kate’s dress. Designer Sarah Burton, the new head of Alexander McQueen’s fashion house, is the current frontrunner.
BLOG: Jon Snow on “the history and the pantomime”
09.55: Australian PM Julia Gillard arives at Westminster Abbey.
09.40: London Mayor Boris Johnson reveals his gift to William and Kate is a tandem bike, donated by sponsors.
09.30: David Cameron says the Royal Wedding is a “chance to celebrate” for everyone. The PM has visited fans who camped out in the streets overnight. The Cabinet made charity donations to the couple and Mr Cameron has personally given them photographs of Anglesey, where William is based as a helicopter rescue pilot.
09.15: David and Victoria Beckham arrive at Westminster Abbey. The former England captain, with slicked-back hair and carrying a top hat, wears his OBE cross. Victoria is the main focus of attention in a black boat-neck tunic dress. The Philip Treacy hat in midnight blue was perhaps chosen to detract from her growing bump.
08.40: Prince William and Kate Middleton will travel from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace in an open topped 1902 State Landau.
Prince William is given the title of the Duke of Cambridge. Kate Middleton will become Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.
08.30: Police arrest 20 suspected anarchists and ordered them not to go near the Royal Wedding. Three protesters thought to have been planning to behead effigies are in custody. A pretend guillotine has been seized. Five-thousand police officers are to deal “robustly, quickly and firmly” with any threats.
08.00: Prince William is given the title of the Duke of Cambridge by the Queen. Kate Middleton will become Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge on her marriage. William has also become the Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.
Channel 4 News will be following all the events of the Royal Wedding live and online. Use our live blog to see commentary from all our team.
An estimated two billion people around the world are following Prince William and Kate Middleton. You can follow all the action as it happens here, just keep refreshing this page.
You can also add your voice via Twitter @channel4news and at facebook.com/Channel4News
(Royal Wedding security zone in central London)
