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SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2011 PAGE 7A
AP PHOTOS
Above, William and Kate kneel at the altar in Westminster Abbey. The bride wore an ivory-and-white satin gown, with a dramatic neckline, sheer lace sleeves and eight-foot train, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. William, second-in-line to the throne after his father, wore the scarlet tunic of an Irish Guards officer.
A royal happily ever after
Prince William weds Kate Middleton
route. “Everybody is behind the bride and groom.” Many praised the couple’s rare LONDON — With not one but two kisses and tender whispered combination of humility, humor words, Prince William and Kate and grace. Kate was a commoner Middleton smiled and blushed from a wealthy but middle-class Friday as they started their life as family who actually worked for a future king and queen. A day of living after university; William seamless pageantry inspired has long had his mother’s touch hopes that this royal couple in connecting to the public, and surprised fans who slept on the might live happily ever after. They appeared at ease pavement overnight by personalthroughout their wedding day, ly thanking them Thursday for with William fighting back gig- braving the cold. The 28-year-old prince even gles at times, while Kate’s smile lit up television screens, especial- displayed a quality almost never seen among royly when her alty: humor. Surnew husband veying the 1,900 leaned over to guests filling the say, “You look abbey in their beautiful.” wedding finery, Their inhe turned to his timacy stood father-in-law, in sharp conMichael Middletrast to the ton, and lack of chem- Britain’s Prince William places quipped: “We’re istry between the ring on the finger of his supposed to a wooden bride, Kate Middleton. have just a small Prince Charles and Diana Spencer 30 years family affair.” Then after a reception at Buckago when they began a marriage that ultimately collapsed in em- ingham Palace, he took his new barrassing tabloid headlines and wife for a spin, driving a dark-blue turned many Britons against the Aston Martin Volante festooned with ribbons, bows and balloons monarchy. A million people lined the proc- — and a license plate that read ession route from Westminster “JU5T WED.” It was the kind of display that Abbey to Buckingham Palace, many crying with joy. Cheers made some wonder whether the went up as the couple exchanged couple just might bring the Britthe traditional kiss on the balco- ish monarchy back from the ny, followed by chants of “One abyss. “It’s a real turning point for the more kiss!” The couple waved and smiled and, to a frenzy of de- royal family,” Nicki Hookings, 47, said at one of thousands of street light, obliged. An estimated 2 billion people parties across Britain to celebrate tuned into the live broadcast in the national holiday. For much of the world, the what may have been the mostwedding was a dramatic reaffirviewed event in history. The security operation was the mation of 29-year-old Kate’s belargest since Charles and Diana’s guiling star power. Despite the 1981 wedding, and the day went pressure, she carried the day with off without a hitch. Police dis- an easy smile, youthful exuberpersed scattered protests from ance and a sense of decorum that anti-monarchists and anarchists matched the event. And when it and arrested 43 people for offens- was over all over, she curtsied es including drunkenness, easily before Queen Elizabeth II, breach of peace, and theft, but the comfortably sharing the stage mood was overwhelmingly cele- with the woman who has reigned since 1952. bratory. Crowds from Australia to Zim“Everybody’s happy, everybody’s united,” said 61-year-old Sa- babwe clasped Union Jack flags bry Darwish, who was in the and donned hats — and wedding crowd watching the parade gowns. By PAISLEY DODDS Associated Press
Prince William drives himself and his wife, Kate.
British soccer player David Beckham and wife, Victoria.
Political protest? Rock festival? No, it’s a whole lot of spectators making their way down the Mall after the wedding. (And don’t pronounce it like its a shopping mall it rhymes with Al, as non-Londoners might not know.)
Kate Middleton is accompanied by maid of honour Pippa Middleton, right, as she arrives at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London Friday. Bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem, left, covers her ears as Prince William kisses Kate on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Britain’s Prince William, right, arrives with his brother and best man, Prince Harry at Westminster Abbey.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II looks out of her carriage.
Elton John, right, and his partner David Furnish.
Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange rings in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey.
Linette Ruys from Holland watches the royal couple arrive.
Two workers put the finishing touches to the wedding cake.