Tents, tiaras and a few tears on the streets of London as A MILLION turn out for Wills and Kate
By Daily Mail ReporterLast updated at 3:15 PM on 30th April 2011
- Only 53 arrests amid crowds of a million
Waving 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.
Thousands then waited at the palace gates to see the couple's 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.
Incredibly, there were only 53 arrests and police were tonight celebrating a success.
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With flying colours: William and Kate's wedding day, which attracted almost a million people, went off without a hitch
At the gates: Crowds got as close as they could to Buckingham Palace for a glimpse of the happy couple
Crowd control: Police officers stand in front of Royal supporters on The Mall along the processional route
Did you spot me? A small section of the million-strong crowd who turned out for the Royal Wedding
One for one's family album: (L-R) Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall, Eliza Lopes, Princess Louise, Grace van Cutsem, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Tom Pettifer, Billy Lowther-Pinkerton, the Queen, Prince Philip, Pippa Middleton, Prince Harry, James Middleton
Monarchy mania: It was estimated that a million people thronged the streets of London for the Royal Wedding
Making a splash: Excited fans jumped into the fountains in front of Buckingham Palace
Wedding crowd: Hyde Park is eclipsed by the throngs who came together to watch Prince William marry Kate Middleton
Let's party! Trafalgar Square wave and cheer in unison for the Royal couple
A new beginning: Crowds cheer as Kate Middleton travels in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI, accompanied by her father Michael Middleton to Westminster Abbey
On parade: Crowds strain for a snaps the Royal procession leaves Westminster Abbey
All a flutter: British flags as far as the eye can see at Buckingham Palace
Westminster City Council said the Royal wedding was the capital's largest ever event. Paul Reid, head of operations, said he estimated nearly a million people were on the streets of London.Despite the huge crowds police made just 52 arrests among the crowd during the event.
As 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.
Crowds drummed up the loud chant 'We want Kate, we want Kate' in the moments before she arrived.
They waved flags and cheered as the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI went past, with Miss Middleton sat next to her father Michael.
Kenneth Fox, 48, who travelled from his home city of New York for the occasion, said: 'I'm an American and I had to choke back tears. She looked beautiful, she was gorgeous. William is a very lucky guy.'
Flying the flag: Hyde Park was packed with young people enjoying the festivities
Love is in the air: As the couple leave Westminster Abbey, showers of confetti land on revellers in Hyde Park
Street-sweeper John Slingsby was heading to the square. 'This is the proudest day of my life,' he said. 'I've been working all hours recently and I'm on my way to Trafalgar Square to join in the celebrations.'
Angela Fitzgerald, 56, from Islington, north London, said William looked 'dashing and handsome'.
She said: 'The uniforms looked fabulous. And when the Queen came past, there were tears in my eyes. We got really emotional.'
Crowds around Buckingham Palace were bigger than police had predicted but a spokesman for Scotland Yard said the mood on the ground was 'fantastic'.
He added: 'The crowd has been tremendous, the mood fantastic. People have been coming forward to help police officers.'
Gone but never forgotten: Ardent Royalists remember Diana on Kate and William's wedding day
In all their finery: Members of the public go all out in fancy dress for the Royal Wedding - from a PC Plod-type (L) to Elizabeth I and King Henry VIII
Westminster City Council said today's wedding was the capital's largest ever event and was 'miles ahead' of last year's Papal visit.
Paul Reid, the authority's head of operations, said he estimated nearly a million people were on the streets of London.
Cheers! Never mind that they weren't invited, revellers make the most of it in Hyde Park with wedding dresses and top hats
Making a statement: The wedding provided a source of inspiration for many young women
She said they had taken care not to upstage the bride by wearing boots and suspenders under their dresses.
Joy Martin, 67, and her daughter Lindsey Crompton, 42, from Solihull, Birmingham, were giddy about getting their first look at the newlyweds.
Mrs Crompton said: 'There's a real atmosphere and it has been brilliant so far. Last night people were even cheering the toilets arriving on The Mall.'
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- Looking at those crowds you could be forgiven for thinking this was still a white country.
