Meet my Princess! William and his new bride Kate head for the Palace in open top carriage after a fairytale wedding at the Abbey

Friday, April 29, 2011

By Rob Cooper

Newly wed: Prince William and his new wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, wave as they travel in the 1902 State Landau carriage along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace

-Couple will travel from Abbey to the Palace in an open-topped carriage

-Two BILLION people watch couple tie the knot

-5,000 royals enthusiasts camped out overnight at the Mall

-One million well-wishers line the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple

After months of waiting, Kate Middleton and Prince William today tied the knot at Westminster Abbey.

Wearing a flowing wedding dress with a long train and lace sleeves, Kate clutched a bunch of white flowers as she embarked on the short drive to Westminster Abbey, before starting her three-minute walk up the aisle to be with her groom.

As the happy couple exchanged vows, William appeared to have trouble slipping the ring onto Kate's finger.

'You look beautiful': Prince William speaks to his bride Kate as she holds her father's hand at the altar

Newly-wed: Prince William Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge leave Westminster Abbey with her sister Pippa supporting her dress

Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange rings in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury during the ceremony

Kate Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton to join Prince William and his best man Harry at the altar

Thousands of people wave Union Jacks as the couple are taken to Westminster Abbey in their open-topped carriage. An estimated one million people lined the streets

Prince William and Kate Middleton sit down during the service after he put the wedding band on her finger

William appeared to have a moment of difficulty in slipping the ring onto Kate's finger... But the ceremony went without a hitch

But to the relief of all, he finally slipped the wedding band on and the ceremony passed without a hitch.

A staggering one million people had packed the streets of London to witness one of the most anticipated weddings the world has ever seen.

Well-wishers waved flags and many shed tears as William and his beautiful bride exchanged their vows.

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

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'.

William and his wife Kate wave to onlookers as they leave Westminster Abbey after the wedding

Kate Middleton and her father, Michael, travel in a Rolls Royce to Westminster Abbey

Kate Middleton waves as she arrives with her father Michael Middleton and her sister Philippa Middleton to the West Door of Westminster Abbey in London for her wedding

Brilliant in white: Kate Middleton is taken up the aisle by her proud father Michael

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.'

At the end of the service the congregation sang the National Anthem, with Kate's father in particular belting out the words with great vigour.

The Queen, who was the only person in the abbey not singing, kept her emotions to herself.

The newly-married couple then went off with their witnesses to sign the historic marriage registers away from public view in the tiny enclosed Chapel of St Edward the Confessor behind the altar.

He's here: Prince William, left, arrives at Westminster Abbey next to his proud younger brother and best man Harry with two billion people watching

First glimpse: Prince William gets out of his Bentley and walks into the Abbey - and waits for Kate

Proud father: Prince Charles arrives with William's stepmother Camilla

Showbiz royalty: David Beckham, wearing his OBE on his lapel, centre, and his wife Victoria arrive at the west door of Westminster Abbey as guests arrive for the 11am ceremony

Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster, adorned with trees, as the congregation sing

Prince Charles and Camilla followed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk down the red carpet at Westminster Abbey

Cameras click as Kate Middleton arrives and walks into Westminster Abbey

Kate walks up the aisle, holding her father's hand, with Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton supporting her dress, left. Right, a smiling Kate waves to the crowds outside the Abbey

Royal arrivals: Princess Eugenie, blue dress, and Princess Beatrice arrive at Westminster Abbey (right) while Prince Charles and Camilla smile as they walk in for William's wedding

Celebration: Royals fans in Hyde Park watched the wedding on a big screen

On The Mall crowds waved flags and cheered when the Band of the Coldstream Guards marched down toward the Duke of York Steps.

Playing hits such as Barry Manilow's Copacabana, the 44-member band got spectators moving their feet.

The band was directed by Lieutenant Colonel Graham Jones alongside Drum Major Scott Fitzgerald. The historic band has been in existence for more than 200 years.