Royal Wedding: ‘Just a small family affair’
“We’re supposed to have a small family affair,” jokes Prince William, as a million people throng the streets – and two billion tune in around the world – for his wedding to Catherine Middleton.
Outside it was a giant street party, but inside Westminster Abbey there was a sense almost of intimacy as the couple nervously – but joyfully – exchanged vows, becoming husband and wife – as well as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The rain held off as the bride – then still plain Kate Middleton – was driven to the Abbey with her father Michael – waving happily to the cheering crowds along the route. Looking radiant in a Sarah Burton ivory dress with a short train and lace veil and sleeves, she carried a shield-shaped bouquet featuring Sweet William flowers.
Comparisons were made with another commoner who became a princess – not William’s mother, but the actress Grace Kelly – known for her demure coolness – who became Princess Grace of Monaco.
“You look beautiful.” Prince William to his bride at the altar
The abbey – featuring for the day an avenue of English maple and hornbeam trees – formed a stunning setting as the bride was led down the aisle by her father; Prince Harry – but not William – sneaking a backwards glance at her arrival.
At the altar, Prince William exchanged a few words with his bride-to-be – interpreted by skilled lip-readers as “you look beautiful” – as the strains of the coronation anthem died away, to be followed by the congregation singing Guide me, O thou Great Redeemer.
As they exchanged vows – Catherine not promising to obey but to “love him, comfort him, honour and keep him in sickness and in health” – the nerves were apparent, but they gazed throughout into one another’s eyes. As best man, Prince Harry, provided the ring and William promised to share all his worldly goods.
The Archbishop of Canterbury blessed them and declared them “man and wife”. Head down for the formal prayer, the bride strugged to stifle a smile before the congregation burst into “Love divine, all loves excelling”.
After the service – to the stirring theme of William Walton’s Crown Imperial – the beaming couple left the Abbey arm-in-arm; to be greeted outside by the deafening cheers of the assembled crowds. They climbed into the open carriage and headed back to Buckingham Palace, waving to what the Metropolitan Police estimated was up to one million people who lined the route.
A little later – after the crowds had been shepherded down the Mall to mass outside the Palace – the couple re-appeared on the balcony, first alone and then flanked by members of the two families.
As the crowd began to chant “kiss, kiss”, William and Catherine obliged with first a chaste peck on the lips and then, as the cheering continued, another slightly longer effort. Time then for the fly-past of the historic Lancaster, Spitfire and a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain flight and then Tornadoes and Typhoons.
Read our Special Reports Prince William and Princess Catherine
Shortly after 3.30pm, an Aston Martin Volante bedecked with balloons appeared, driven by the Prince with his new bride in the passenger seat. The couple drove down the Mall to Clarence House in the vintage car, which sported L-plates and a “Just Wed” sign.
The Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII in Seychelles blue is owned by his father Prince Charles, who has owned the car since 1969. The car was accompanied by a Search and Rescue helicopter in a special fly past.
Arrivals
Earlier, the Bentley carrying Prince William and Prince Harry had left Clarence House at twelve minutes past ten. William – newly endowed with the title of Duke of Cambridge – was in the red uniform of colonel of the Irish Guards, with a blue sash as Knight of the Order of the Garter. Harry was in his Blues and Royals uniform.
There were huge cheers as the car arrived at the Abbey, where William waved almost shyly and briefly before removing his cap and going inside.
The bride’s mother, Carole Middleton arrived wearing a sky blue wool crepe coat dress over a sky blue silk day dress, both designed by Catherine Walker. Mrs Middleton’s matching hat was provided by the Berkshire-based milliner Jane Corbett.
William’s father, Prince Charles, in full Royal Navy dress uniform, arrived with the Duchess of Cornwall, who was wearing a champagne silk dress with matching duck egg blue and champagne hand-embroidered coat and a matching Philip Treacy hat with an upswept brim.
They were swiftly followed by William’s grandparents – the Queen, dressed in a stunning primrose yellow outfit, and Prince Philip in a scarlet military outfit matching William’s. A fanfare sounded the Queen’s arrival at Westminster Abbey.
Then it was the turn of the bride – in THAT dress – carried with her father to the Abbey in the Rolls Royce that was attacked by demonstrators when carrying Charles and Camilla to the West End during the student protests at the end of last year.
The first “royal sighting” had been of the Beckhams. David in a Ralph Lauren morning suit with hair slicked back – very Great Gatsby – with his OBE pinned to his lapel, but the effect slightly spoiled by one of his many tattoos peaking over his collar. A pregnant Victoria was dressed in navy blue and looked carved from alabaster.
The Prime Minister and Sir Elton John – an unlikely duo – both chose to wear morning suits, offsetting the formality with a purple tie. Mr Cameron was happy to remind anyone prepared to listen that he had slept on the Mall for the Charles and Diana wedding in 1981. His wife, Samantha, was hatless, in a slimline emerald green Burberry outfit, offset with an orange scarf.
The other party leaders arrived in sequence. Nick Clegg, in traditional grey morning suit, with his wife Miriam, in a grey spotted dress and a red fascinator, was swiftly followed by the Labour leader, Ed Miliband and his fiancee Justine, who wore a long-sleeved deep purple outfit.