With an estimated 2billion viewers tuned in today to witness the marriage of the nations beloved Wills and Kate. Catherine Middleton became Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge upon her marriage to Prince of Wales- William, at the much-anticipated ceremony in Westminster Abbey this morning.
Crowds outside the Abbey went into a frenzy from 9am this morning as celebrity guests, including Victoria Beckham – who wore one of her own dresses – her husband David (who wore his OBE medal on the wrong lapel), Rowan Atkinson and Elton John arrived to celebrate the couples marriage.
Faces of politics also were among the guests as David Cameron arrived at Westminster Abbey wearing tails.Cameron told the BBC about how he had camped out on the streets to celebrate Prince Charles and Diana Spencer's wedding in 1981. Alongside David was his wife, Samantha Cameron, who caused a stir among the critical public for her hat-less head. Boris Johnson was there also, and confirmed he would bestow a tandem Boris Bike on the couple as a wedding gift.
Prince William and his best man Prince Harry, left Clarence House to a raucous reception from the public. The groom was resplendent in the full dress of the Irish Guards with RAF wings on his sash, while his brother wore his black uniform covered in gold embellishment.
Never fully dressed without a smile- brothers waved to the public from their jaguar graciously. Princes William and Harry arrived at the abbey. Kate's mother wearing a powder blue outfit and brother followed shortly after as did the Queen, wearing a yellow Angela Kelly-designed single crepe woolprimrose dress with the Duke of Edinburgh in tow.
A few streets away crowds anxiously awaited Kate Middleton's appearance. Kate's car pulled away from the Goring Hotel at precisely 10:51 as it was confirmed that she was, as suspected, wearing Sarah Burton, artistic director of Alexander McQueen, an ivory, v-necked dress with lace long sleeves.
The dress incorporated tradition and modernity. An ivory and white satin gazar, a loosely woven silk, with the skirt echoing an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats and a train measuring 2.7 meters, the dress was all that was promised. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is said to be a hallmark of McQueen’s designs.
Burton has also designed for Michelle Obama, the U.S. first lady, supermodel Naomi Campbell, pop star Lady Gaga and actresses Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Kate's hair was made almost effortless despite the rumoured hours of sleepless nights for her hairdressers. A veil swept over her iconic locks and was secured by a Cartier Ltd. “halo” tiara made in 1936, lent to the bride by William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Wearing the famous red tunic of the Irish Guards, William stared straight ahead as Kate Middleton started her long walk down the red carpeted aisle of Westminster Abbey. Turning to watch the bride approach, William's brother and best man Prince Harry reassured him that all was going smoothly on the big day, telling him "Right, she is here now".
Kate, her father, her sister, 4 bridesmaids and 2 page boys made their way down the long Abbey isle. As she arrived next to William on the aisle, the prince could be seen remarking to Kate: "You look beautiful", and joking to his father-in-law: "Just a small family affair!"
The young couple - representing a new generation of the British monarchy - caught each other's eyes several times during the service, smiling lovingly.
Both Kate & Wills delivered flawless vows as their married life got off to the perfect start.
Her ring - a plain, slim gold band made by royal warrant holder Wartski from a nugget of Welsh gold, as is tradition with royal brides - had to be coaxed and wiggled on to her finger to a rapture of silence and gasps around my living room.
Later, during the reading by Kate's brother James, William winked at his bride as the royal couple took their seats and grinned broadly at each other as the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, reminded them of their commitment to "making this new relationship".
Both William and Kate appeared more solemn as they sat listening intently to the rest of the address. Rousing choruses of Jerusalem and the National Anthem inside the abbey are echoed by crowds enjoying a brief period of sunshine in the streets outside.
Both Kate & Wills delivered flawless vows as their married life got off to the perfect start.
Her ring - a plain, slim gold band made by royal warrant holder Wartski from a nugget of Welsh gold, as is tradition with royal brides - had to be coaxed and wiggled on to her finger to a rapture of silence and gasps around my living room.
Later, during the reading by Kate's brother James, William winked at his bride as the royal couple took their seats and grinned broadly at each other as the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, reminded them of their commitment to "making this new relationship".
Both William and Kate appeared more solemn as they sat listening intently to the rest of the address. Rousing choruses of Jerusalem and the National Anthem inside the abbey are echoed by crowds enjoying a brief period of sunshine in the streets outside.
The couple left the abbey and rode in their chariot in the sunshine past cheering crowds to Buckingham Palace. As mounted guards accompanied the couple's open-topped carriage, one rider lost control and fell from his saddle, while the horse bolted up Whitehall and past Downing Street.
Still crowds cheered for the newly-weds and the couple met the crows graciously. Hurried seas of people then gathered at the gates of Buckingham palace chanting, "We want William, we want Kate" along The Mall, towards the Palace.
The couple stepped for the first time on to the balcony and waved at the crowds in what is a royal tradition. The page boys and bridesmaids were close behind, before the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Camilla, along with Kate Middleton's family.
Prince William eagerly asked his new bride "shall we?" before leaning in, and sealing with a kiss, his royal marriage, to the delight of the crowds.
A Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Lancaster then assumed a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight formation, before the couple kissed for a second time - breaking cheers from the sea of people that watched admiringly.
The couple walked hand-in-hand back off the balcony into the palace visibly more relaxed and happy as they prepared to greet their guests as newly weds and begin their married life together.
Congrats Will & Kate!
-ZB
0 comments:
Post a Comment