It was as Queen Elizabeth-II described \u201c amazing\u201d on the massive crowd turn out that greeted the royal couple and rightly so, when Britain\u2019s Prince William and Kate Middleton were married at the Westminster Abbey on Friday in a royal occasion of dazzling pomp and pageantry that has attracted a huge global audience and injected new life into the monarchy. \nBells pealed loudly and trumpets blared as 1,900 guests earlier poured into the historic abbey, coronation site for the monarchy since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066.
\nThe Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams conducted the marriage vows and declared the couple married with the words: \u201cI pronounce that they be man and wife together.\u201d
\nPrince William was made the Duke of Cambridge on his wedding day by the Queen, Buckingham Palace announced.
\nThe royal groom has been given the highest rank in British peerage – to mark his marriage to Kate Middleton. Miss Middleton has now become Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.
\nLondon was a blanket of red, white and blue as a million well-wishers came together to catch a glimpse of Prince William and Kate Middleton\u2019s fairy-tale wedding.
\nWaving Union Jacks, the crowds roared with excitement as the newlyweds said their vows at Westminster Abbey before travelling in an open-top carriage to Buckingham Palace.
\nThousands then waited at the palace gates to see the couple\u2019s first public kiss – and were treated to two. Thousands more were watching on giant screens across London in Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and at many more gardens, squares and street parties.
\nWestminster City Council said the Royal wedding was the capital\u2019s largest ever event. Paul Reid, head of operations, said he estimated nearly a million people were on the streets of London.
\nAs Kate Middleton was driven past crowds of well-wishers outside her new London home Clarence House, she looked happy and relaxed as she waved to spectators.
\nCrowds drummed up the loud chant \u2018We want Kate, we want Kate\u2019 in the moments before she arrived.
\nThey waved flags and cheered as the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI went past, with Miss Middleton sat next to her father Michael.
\n Revellers had to pass through barriers and were subjected to searches by security guards. Many said they had given up hope of finding a place on the procession route.
\n Crowds around Buckingham Palace were bigger than police had predicted but a spokesman for Scotland Yard said the mood on the ground was \u2018fantastic\u2019.
\nHe added: \u2018The crowd has been tremendous, the mood fantastic. People have been coming forward to help police officers.\u2019
\nHundreds of people had camped for several days to get a glimpse of the happy couple. Tents littered the length of the barriers and were scattered around St James\u2019s Park behind The Mall. There was a festival feel as well-wishers cleaned their teeth using bottles of water and queued outside rows of portable toilets.
\nWestminster City Council said today\u2019s wedding was the capital\u2019s largest ever event and was \u2018miles ahead\u2019 of last year\u2019s Papal visit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"