The royal wedding day: Let's witness Prince William and Kate Middleton's Fairy Tale
Pomp, romance and tradition produce a splendid spectacle, writes Paola Totaro in Westminster Abbey. On April 29th, thousands are lining the streets of London, billions are watching around the world, and celebrities and world leaders are arriving at Westminster Abbey to witness the much-anticipated royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The Splendid Wedding
A joyous Prince William has a wife - and Britain a new princess - after a spectacular service that entwined the most imposing ceremonial traditions of the 1000-year-old English monarchy with the quicksilver immediacy of the digital age.
Westminster Abbey, Gothic and ever mysterious, played witness to the young couple who took their vows before 1900 guests - among them kings, prelates and prime ministers. A million well-wishers listened in silence and later cheered on the streets and parks of London while 2 billion more the globe over watched on television or the internet - the first royal wedding to be streamed live.
Kate Middleton arrived at the Great West Door of the abbey on time, and on the arm of her father, Michael, in a morning suit. With her hair flowing beneath a small diamond tiara lent to her by the Queen, her willowy frame was sheathed in a fitted, full-length, elegant Alexander McQueen gown with long lace sleeves.
Royal Wedding Fashion
All eyes, of course, were on the bride's dress — and it immediately became the stuff that dreams are made of. There was tradition and modernity, sober styles and touches of whimsy: the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton showcased Britain's fashion roots, as well as the claim it's staking at the forefront of haute couture.
The gown, whose details were kept secret until Middleton stepped out of the Goring Hotel to travel to Westminster Abbey, was a magnificent ivory confection with lace floral detail designed by Britain's Sarah Burton, creative director at Alexander McQueen. Meanwhile, Clarence House has said the dress may go on public display
A plunging neckline added an edgy touch to an otherwise traditional dress with lace-covered sleeves that ended at the wrists. Her hair was half up, half down, lightly curled and decorated with a tiara. She wore drop earrings.
'Buzzing with happiness'
It has been reported that their weekend stay include various royal residences. The honeymoon details have yet to be revealed. The couple, who married on Friday, has opted to delay their honeymoon, with Prince William returning to his job as an RAF helicopter pilot on Tuesday.
Places where the royal couple may be spending the weekend include royal residences such as Windsor, Balmoral and Sandringham.
Speculation about the honeymoon has continued, with suggestions including Africa, in particular Kenya, where the prince proposed to Catherine last year.
Jordan, where the duchess spent two years with her family as a child, has also been touted as a possibility, but continuing unrest in the Middle East could mean it is less likely as a destination.
A secluded Caribbean island - or an Australian island - might be a safe choice, we suggest.
Wedding Gown on display
The duchess's ivory gown with lace bodice, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, received approval from fashion world and the general public.
A spokeswoman for Clarence House said: "The Duchess of Cambridge is considering a number of options to give members of the public the opportunity to see close up the skilled British craftsmanship that went into the making of her wedding dress by Sarah Burton and her team as well as the Royal School of Needlework."
The spokeswoman could not say exactly when or where it might be exhibited but a number of gowns worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, are displayed at Kensington Palace.
The Splendid Wedding
A joyous Prince William has a wife - and Britain a new princess - after a spectacular service that entwined the most imposing ceremonial traditions of the 1000-year-old English monarchy with the quicksilver immediacy of the digital age.
Westminster Abbey, Gothic and ever mysterious, played witness to the young couple who took their vows before 1900 guests - among them kings, prelates and prime ministers. A million well-wishers listened in silence and later cheered on the streets and parks of London while 2 billion more the globe over watched on television or the internet - the first royal wedding to be streamed live.
Kate Middleton arrived at the Great West Door of the abbey on time, and on the arm of her father, Michael, in a morning suit. With her hair flowing beneath a small diamond tiara lent to her by the Queen, her willowy frame was sheathed in a fitted, full-length, elegant Alexander McQueen gown with long lace sleeves.
Royal Wedding Fashion
All eyes, of course, were on the bride's dress — and it immediately became the stuff that dreams are made of. There was tradition and modernity, sober styles and touches of whimsy: the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton showcased Britain's fashion roots, as well as the claim it's staking at the forefront of haute couture.
The gown, whose details were kept secret until Middleton stepped out of the Goring Hotel to travel to Westminster Abbey, was a magnificent ivory confection with lace floral detail designed by Britain's Sarah Burton, creative director at Alexander McQueen. Meanwhile, Clarence House has said the dress may go on public display
A plunging neckline added an edgy touch to an otherwise traditional dress with lace-covered sleeves that ended at the wrists. Her hair was half up, half down, lightly curled and decorated with a tiara. She wore drop earrings.
'Buzzing with happiness'
It has been reported that their weekend stay include various royal residences. The honeymoon details have yet to be revealed. The couple, who married on Friday, has opted to delay their honeymoon, with Prince William returning to his job as an RAF helicopter pilot on Tuesday.
Places where the royal couple may be spending the weekend include royal residences such as Windsor, Balmoral and Sandringham.
Speculation about the honeymoon has continued, with suggestions including Africa, in particular Kenya, where the prince proposed to Catherine last year.
Jordan, where the duchess spent two years with her family as a child, has also been touted as a possibility, but continuing unrest in the Middle East could mean it is less likely as a destination.
A secluded Caribbean island - or an Australian island - might be a safe choice, we suggest.
Wedding Gown on display
The duchess's ivory gown with lace bodice, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, received approval from fashion world and the general public.
A spokeswoman for Clarence House said: "The Duchess of Cambridge is considering a number of options to give members of the public the opportunity to see close up the skilled British craftsmanship that went into the making of her wedding dress by Sarah Burton and her team as well as the Royal School of Needlework."
The spokeswoman could not say exactly when or where it might be exhibited but a number of gowns worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, are displayed at Kensington Palace.
