Gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: HRH Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leave a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



Spain's Queen Sofia, Spain's Crown Prince Felipe, and his wife Princess Letizia, arrive at a central London hotel for a pre-royal wedding dinner hosted by Lady Elizabeth Anson and attended by members of the British royal family and foreign royal families, in London, Thursday, April, 28, 2011. The dinner is on the eve of the royal wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.



Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah (L) poses at the Mandarin Oriental hotel for a gala dinner hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in London on April 28, 2011 on the eve of the Royal wedding. Britain's Prince William is to marry his fiancee Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: HRH Queen Elizabeth II attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L) and HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Sophie, Countess of Wessex (L) and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: King Constantine II (L) and Princess Michael of Kent attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Prince Daniel of Sweden (L) and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Prince Pavlos of Greece (L) and Princess Marie Chantal of Greece attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.




LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: (L to R) Prince Felipe of Asturias, Princess Letizia of Asturias and Queen Sofia of Spain attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Princess Beatrice of York attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Prince Andrew, Duke of York (L) and Princess Eugenie of York attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Princess Mathilde of Belgium attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Princess Tatiana of Greece (L) and Prince Nikolaos of Greece attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: King Constantine II (L) and Princess Michael of Kent attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.




LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Princess Tatiana of Greece (L) and Prince Nikolaos of Greece attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (L) and Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg attend a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Princess Letizia of Asturias attends a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Prince Michael of Kent (L) and Princess Michael of Kent leave a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.



LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: HRH Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leave a gala pre-wedding dinner held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on April 28, 2011 in London, England.


The stage is set for the royal wedding- Queen host Royal reception



source: daylife
photo: Gettyimages

'With so much love within our hearts'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Did Kate let slip her Royal Wedding vows as she heads for final rehearsal with William?

Departing from tradition? A sheet of paper visible in the back seat of the car as Kate Middleton drives away opens the possibility the couple have written their own vows


The words are spotted written on paper in back seat of Kate's car

Kate and William meet Dean of Westminster Abbey for final run-through

William to spend eve of wedding with his family for private dinner

Part of Whitehall near abbey is cleared after bomb scare

Especially for you: Kate's marriage vows appear to be revealed on the back seat of her car as she drives to London


We know that Kate Middleton won't promise to 'obey' at Westminster Abbey, but it seems the couple may have written their own vows for the royal wedding.

When Kate was photographed leaving her family home in Bucklebury yesterday there was a sheaf of paper visible in the back seat of the car that included a passage from an unrecognised work.

While many of the words were obscured, it read in part: 'With so much love within our hearts.'

While the passage could be from a separate reading, it opens the possibility that they have followed the example of many young couples and written their own vows for their special day.


Kicking up dust: Members of the Household Cavalry cross Horseguards as they take part in the dress rehearsal


What's in the bag? Kate Middleton carries a dress bag into the rehearsal at Clarence house, stopping for a last-minute chat before heading inside





Final preparations: Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey this evening for the last rehearsal involving the Royal couple before Friday's wedding


Kate and Prince William were back together last night to hold last-minute rehearsals as the final countdown to Friday's Royal Wedding got under way.

Miss Middleton drove from the family home in to Clarence House, where the couple were said to have met the Dean of Westminster Abbey for a run-through of the wedding service.

Contrary to some reports, William and Kate were expected to spend last night together there before Kate moves into the nearby Goring Hotel in Belgravia today.

The couple have lived together at a rented farmhouse on in the island of Anglesey for the last year and friends said they saw no reason to be apart for any longer than necessary.


All smiles: Prince William beams happily as he arrives at the Abbey tonight. He was joined by his best man Prince Harry and senior clergy


Nervous? Kate Middleton leaves her family home with a protection officer


In line with tradition, however, Kate will spend her last night as an unmarried woman apart from the groom. Although she was offered the pick of palace apartments in which to stay, family-orientated Kate has opted to stay in the five-star Goring Hotel with her parents, Michael and Carole, sister Pippa and brother James.

A smiling Pippa, 27, and Carole, 56, left the family home shortly after Kate yesterday in a car filled with suit bags and headed straight for the hotel.

At lunchtime Kate’s father also arrived at the Goring in a Ford Transit van carrying the bridal party’s outfits.


Two days to go ... Kate's sister Pippa and mother Carole drive away from their family home in Bucklebury


A number of suit bags and boxes – some marked with Pippa’s name – were carried inside. One 8ft garment carrier was rumoured to be carrying Kate’s dress. More than 1,800 flowers have been delivered to the hotel, including pink and white hydrangeas and brilliantly-coloured geraniums.

Kate was later seen lugging boxes from the boot of her car and carrying them into Clarence House – a far cry from the treatment she will no doubt receive as Princess William of Wales.

She also excitedly hugged several members of staff as she chatted about her plans for the big day.

Prince William will spend the eve of his wedding having a private dinner at Clarence House with the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.

The couple then swept into Westminster Abbey for a final wedding rehearsal accompanied by best man Prince Harry, maid of honour Pippa Middleton and Kate's parents Michael and Carole.

Kate apparently 'squealed' with delight when she saw how the medieval building had been transformed.



Father of the bride: Kate's dad Michael Middleton leaves The Goring Hotel in London with a little help from what appear to be bodyguards


The roads around the abbey were already filled with well-wishers and camera crews.

Waiting at the abbey were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who is marrying the couple, the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, who will give the address, and the Dean of Westminster, Dr John Hall, who is conducting the service.

Kate, 29, practised walking up the aisle with her father, who then handed her over to the groom before the couple went through their vows.

Showing no sign of nerves, the 29-year-old bride-to-be, dressed in a demure cream suit, set off from Berkshire at 8.45am -- the last time she will leave home as a single woman -- with only her police protection officer for company.


Prince Harry arrives at Clarence House in the back of a Range Rover with two protection officers


Taking no chances: The bomb squad search The Goring Hotel in preparation for the Middleton family's arrival


Taking stock: Vans laden with fine food arrive outside The Goring Hotel for Kate Middleton and her family


Radiant: The Queen arrives at St John's College Cambridge for a lunch and reception to mark its 500th Anniversary, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh


In addition, radical group Muslims against Crusades staged a protest against Prince William.

They held up 'wanted' posters proclaiming the second-in-line to the throne as a 'modern day Nazi'.

However, the extremists who had threatened disruption at the Royal Wedding said today they have agreed to stay away amid fears they could be targeted by attacks.



Tornado GR4 aircraft take off from RAF Coningsby station in Lincolnshire for a fly-past rehearsal ahead of the big day


Military planes rehearse their fly-past for the Royal wedding


Lancaster crew cram into a gun turret before the wedding flypast rehearsal; and right, a workman cleans the fountains in the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace


Muslims Against Crusades announced they have abandoned protest plans as they were heckled by passers-by in an impromptu press conference outside Parliament.

Campaign spokesman Abu Abbas, 22, called on all Muslims to stay away on the big day.

'We believe the main issue is security for our people,' he said.


People walk through a security gate barrier on the pavement near Westminster Abbey in readiness for the Royal Wedding


Scare: A bomb scare near to the Abbey in Whitehall



A worker cleans the Cenotaph along Whitehall during the run-up to the Royal Wedding; and right, television news crews report from a temporary stand in front of Buckingham Palace


RAF Practices Flypast For Royal Wedding 2011


Raw Video: Rehearsal for William & Kate



source: dailymail

Hundreds of servicemen stage spectacular trial run for Kate and William's big day

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

All the Queen's horses: Soldiers of the Household Cavalry cross Horse Guards Parade in London as they take part in the Royal Wedding dress rehearsal


Hundreds of soldiers, sailors and airmen today had their last chance to practise for Friday's Royal Wedding in a dress rehearsal that started before dawn and continued into daybreak.

The full-scale walk-through was timed down to the last second - with military leaders well aware that the world will be expecting them to make sure everything goes smoothly on the big day.

So nothing was left to chance with the dry run which began at around 4.50am - after soldiers had gathered as early as 2am - and continued for hours.


Here comes the bride? A carriage is escorted across Horse Guards Parade in a cloud of dust, accompanied by soldiers and mounted police


Meanwhile: Dressed in a demure cream suit, Kate drives from her family home in Bucklebury, West Berkshire, with a protection officer beside her


All the participants wore uniform - but the cavalry were in olive green jackets instead of the red and silver they will wear on the big day - and the Rolls-Royce that will carry Kate and her father to Westminster Abbey was involved.

Forces left Westminster's Wellington Barracks shortly before 5am to begin their way along the route.

Some of the soldiers, sailors and airmen practising their duties were Prince William's colleagues.

First to arrive at the abbey were two of the royal fleet of Rolls-Royces which pulled up at about 4.50am.


Here comes the bride: The Royal Rolls-Royce that will carry Kate Middleton and her father is seen with police escort as it arrives at Westminster Abbey


Practise hard, marry easy; A carriage followed by a cavalry soldier leaves Westminster Abbey


Farewell: It is likely Kate Middleton will not return to her family home until she is a married woman


Shortly after 5am the action began.

The sounds of orders being barked out emerged from the final stretch of the route running down from the Houses of Parliament to the abbey.

Several companies of the Royal Navy lined the end of the route, preceded by the Army lining Parliament Street.

Soldiers lined the route up to the Cenotaph outside the entrance to Downing Street.
From there, the RAF lined the road up to Horse Guards Parade which the royal convoy will pass through on Friday.

An RAF officer walked the line.


Dawn patrol: Two mounted officers ride past sailors lining the route to Parliament Square


Members of the British Royal Navy march towards Westminster Abbey (left), while a mounted officer waits outside Westminster Abbey


'On the day you'll have your heels on the white line (of the road markings),' he told them, making sure they knew to take an extra step back closer to the crowds.

When the couple leave the abbey as man and wife, two groups of 12 military personnel will line their route as they make their way to their horse-drawn coach. The tribute is traditionally performed at many military weddings.

Dozens of soldiers on horseback from the Household Cavalry made their way to Westminster Abbey via a different route from the wedding cars this morning.

The cavalry, who led the cars and carriages back to Buckingham Palace through the arch of Horse Guards Parade and along the Mall, performed a loop, parading down Buckingham Palace Road and along Victoria Street to get them to the Abbey.


Dedicated followers: Royal fans who are already camping out ahead of the wedding awoke to the spectacle


All present and correct: Sailors stand to attention as a mounted officer passes


As the horses walked through the parade ground at Horse Guards, clouds of dust kicked up covering the Welsh Guards, who were lining that part of the procession.
Organisers said the dry-run went without a hitch and forces personnel were slightly ahead of time.

The walk-through came after Westminster Abbey closed its doors to the public yesterday to prepare in earnest for the wedding.

The first of the floral decorations that will adorn the abbey began arriving last night including a 20ft-high English field maple.

The tree, which weighs more than half a ton and is 18 years old, will be part of an "avenue of trees" which will line the aisle leading to the altar.

A music rehearsal is scheduled to be held today with clergy and broadcasters due to take part in a full dress rehearsal tomorrow at the abbey.

At some stage, the prince and his fiancee will hold their own preparations with senior clergy at the abbey.

Meanwhile, detectives leading the security operation for the royal wedding have appealed for the public to be the 'eyes and ears' of the 5,000 officers tasked with maintaining law and order on the big day.

Scotland Yard's appeal to the hundreds of thousands of people expected in central London to celebrate came as officers revealed another protest group with Middle Eastern links has warned it plans disruptions at the royal wedding.

The Metropolitan Police is already negotiating with extremist campaign groups Muslims Against Crusades (MAC) and the English Defence League over proposed protests.


To the Palace: A sergeant major looks on as three mounted officers make their way towards Buckingham Palace


Eyes front: A soldier is instructed by a sergeant major outside Horse Guards


All their finery: On Friday the cavalry will don their ceremonial red jackets


Royal wedding rehearsal


Gráinne Seoige - The Royal Wedding Route - Daybreak 27/4/2011


Raw Video: Military Rehearses for Royal Wedding



source: dailymail