Written on 7:40 PM by yahoo
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With a smile that lit up TV screens around the world, Kate Middleton married Prince William in a union that promised to revitalize the British monarchy. A million people roared their approval as the royal couple then paraded through London in an open carriage.
Even knowing that an immense television audience was tuning in to watch, the couple managed, at times, to appear in their own private world Friday, both at Westminster Abbey and on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
William whispered to Kate, who radiated contentment and joy, as they pledged their lives to one another at the church with the simple words “I will.”
After a ceremonial tour around London, they then delivered two – not one – sweet, slightly self-conscious kisses on the balcony, with William blushing deeply at the highly anticipated event. Within moments, a flyby of vintage and modern Royal Air Force planes roared overhead.
Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
#Britain's Prince William travel with his brother Prince Harry in a Bentley to Westminster Abbey in London for his wedding, on April 29, 2011. (GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Jasper Juinen-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Prince William waves as he arrives with Prince Harry to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: The car of the Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh drives along the Mall as they attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor arrives to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
#BUCKLEBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 29: Patricia Ford from Tamworth talks on the phone in the Village of Bucklebury on April 29, 2011 in Bucklebury, United Kingdom. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service which was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding and street parties are being held throughout the UK. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
#STOCKPORT, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 29: Flags are put up as preperations for a Royal Street Party begin in the village of Marple Bridge on April 29, 2011 in Stockport, United Kingdom. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service which was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding and street parties are being held throughout the UK. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton and her father Michael Middleton travel past Buckingham Palace as they make their way to the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
#General view in Westminster Abbey before the wedding of Britain's Prince William's marriage to Kate Middleton in central London April 29, 2011. (SUZANNE PLUNKETT/AFP/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton arrives for the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
#Kate Middleton waves as she arrives at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding with Britain's Prince William in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
#Kate Middleton arrives with her sister, Maid of Honour Philippa Middleton at the West Door of Westminster Abbey in London for her wedding to Britain's Prince William, on April 29, 2011. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
#A picture shows the wedding and engagement rings worn by Kate Middleton, who has been given the title The Duchess of Cambridge as she holds the bouquet of flowers of her wedding, after meeting Governors-General and Prime Ministers at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 in London. (IAN WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
#Kate Middleton, center, accompanied by her father Michael Middleton, right, and her sister Pippa Middleton, who is the maid of honour, enter Westminster Abbey ahead of her marriage to Britain's Prince William, London, Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Tom Pilston, Pool)
#Kate Middleton waves as she arrives with her father Michael Middleton to the West Door of Westminster Abbey in London for her wedding to Britain's Prince William, on April 29, 2011. (ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
#Maid of honour Pippa Middleton arrives with page boys and ring bearers at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding for Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Page boy Tom Petiffer (R) looks up as he waits with bridesmaids and page boys inside the Westminster Abbey before the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton arrives to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton with her father Michael Middleton and Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton is greeted by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall (C), Dean of Westminster as they arrive to attend her Royal Wedding to Prince William at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
#Kate Middleton stands next to her father Michael at Westminster Abbey during her royal wedding with Britain's Prince William, in London on April 29, 2011. (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
#Kate Middleton (L) arrives with her father Michael Middleton (2nd L) at Westminster Abbey in London, for her wedding to Britain's Prince William, on April 29, 2011. (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
#Earl Spencer's daughters, Lady Amelia, Lady Eliza and Lady Kitty wait for the wedding ceremony for Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton to start inside Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. (Dave Thompson/AFP/Getty Images)
#Prince William greets Kate Middleton as she arrives at the alter with her father Michael Middleton, prior to their marriage in London's Westminster Abbey, Friday April 29 2011.(AP Photo/ Dominic Lipinski, pool)
#A general view shows Westminster Abbey during the wedding service of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton, on April 29, 2011 in London. (Dave Thompson/AFP/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Prince William sings beside his bride Catherine Middleton during their wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
#A general view of the wedding service between Prince William and Kate Middleton, centre right, at Westminster Abbey, London, Friday April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Dominic Lipinski, Pool)
#Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange rings in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey, London, Friday April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Dominic Lipinski, Pool)
#Britain's Prince William places a wedding ring on the finger of his bride Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, during the wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. (Dave Thompson/AFP/Getty Images)
#Royal fans drink at Leeds Castle in south-east England as they watch the royal wedding between Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
#Royal supporters celebrate after Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge's wedding service in Trafalgar Square, in London, on April 29, 2011. (GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leave Westminster Abbey following their marriage ceremony, on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service which was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding and street parties are being held throughout the UK. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
#Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, leave Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
#Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, look at each other as they travel in the 1902 State Landau carriage along the Processional Route, to Buckingham Palace after their wedding service, in London, on April 29, 2011. (CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge make the journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace past crowds of spectators following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
#Royal supporters stand on a balcony along the processional route on the day of the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton, on April 29, 2011, in central London. (ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge make their way to Buckingham Palace after their wedding on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service which was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding and street parties are being held throughout the UK. (Photo by Roland Hoskins - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Michael Middleton speak following the marriage of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
#Guests leave the Westminster Abbey after the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, in central London on April 29, 2011. (SUZANNE PLUNKETT/AFP/Getty Images)
#Carole Middleton, mother of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, travels along the processional route on the day of the wedding of Britain's Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, on April 29, 2011, in central London. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
#Maid of honour Philippa Middleton smiles as the travels in a Semi-State Landau in London after the wedding service for Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, on April 29, 2011. (PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
#Prince Harry and members of the royal wedding party follow the procession of the recently wedded their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, en route to Buckingham Palace in London on April 29, 2011. With fanfare and flags the couple were married on Friday at a moment that could reshape Britain's monarchy. (Andrew Testa/The New York Times)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Ceremonial guards stand on the day of the wedding of Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
#Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at Buckingham Palace in London, following their wedding on April 29, 2011. (JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images)
#Britain's Queen Elizabeth II gets inside a carriage outside Westminster Abbey after the Royal Wedding for Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: The procession of TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge make the journey by along the Mall to Buckingham Palace following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge enter Buckingham Palace by carriage procession following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton and her father Michael Middleton make their way to Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service which was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding and street parties are being held throughout the UK. (Photo by Roland Hoskins - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
#Britain's Prince William, right, helps his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, down the steps of the 1902 State Landau carriage as they arrive at Buckingham Palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey, London, Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Andrew Winning, Pool)
#Britain's Prince William, second from right, and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, right, arrive at Buckingham Palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey, London, Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Andrew Winning, Pool)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Well wishers surge along the Mall behind the police towards Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by John Stillwell-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss as Bridesmaid Grace Van Cutsem (L) looks at the crowd from the balcony at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
#The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, consisting of a Spitfire, left, a Lancaster bomber, and a Hurricane, flies over Buckingham, Palace, as Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, appear on the balcony following their wedding in London, Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: A general view of the Mall and Victoria Memorial filled with well-wishers celebrating the Royal Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
#Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, meets Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard and Tim Matheison at Buckingham Palace in London after her wedding to Britian's Prince William on April 29, 2011. (IAN WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
#Kate Middleton, who has been given the title The Duchess of Cambridge arrive to meet Governors-General and Prime Ministers at Buckingham Palace in London after her wedding to Britain's Prince William on April, 29, 2011 in London. (IAN WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
#Children wearing flags walk along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace following the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton in London on April 29, 2011. (DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge drive from Buckingham Palace in a decorated sports car on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
#LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: TRH Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge waves to well wishers as she and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge leave Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
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Written on 11:20 PM by yahoo
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London (CNN) -- Much of the world will grind to a noisy, flag-waving halt Friday morning as Britain's Prince William, second-in-line to the throne, marries his college sweetheart Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.
But the weather seems unlikely to co-operate with the meticulously choreographed, carefully rehearsed event that will be attended by kings and queens, politicians and priests, and celebrities ranging from Elton John to David Beckham.
Showers are predicted, a possible dampener on street parties being held across the United Kingdom, as well as protests threatened by Muslim radicals, anarchists and anti-royalists.
About 5,000 police officers will be on the streets, including 110 on horseback and 35 with sniffer dogs -- but the world's media have deployed even more resources, with at least 8,000 staff working in London for the event.
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British Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has predicted the ceremony will be seen by an estimated two billion people worldwide.
After the ceremony the newlyweds will be taken by carriage from the abbey to Buckingham Palace, cheered on by thousands of wellwishers. Later the couple will kiss on the balcony of the palace in front of the crowds while Royal Air Force jets fly overhead to mark the celebrations.
William announced his engagement to Middleton in November after proposing secretly in a rustic cabin in Kenya in October.
He's the older son of Prince Charles and the late Diana, princess of Wales; the most famous grandson of Queen Elizabeth II; a military search-and-rescue helicopter pilot and, by one recent measure, the most popular member of the royal family.
She's an art history graduate and the eldest child of self-made millionaires who run a party-supplies company.
They met as college students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, sharing an apartment with a circle of friends before they began dating. She first caught his eye when she modelled in a student fashion show wearing a see-through dress over her underwear, British reports have said -- though there's no chance she'll wear anything similar when her much-anticipated wedding dress, the last major secret element of the wedding, is finally revealed.
The couple will be married in front of nearly 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey, where British monarchs are crowned, sometimes married, and often buried, alongside major figures from British history including Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Isaac Newton and George Frederic Handel.
The guests will include "Mr. Bean" actor Rowan Atkinson, a personal friend of Prince Charles, and Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe, a friend of Prince William. Singer Joss Stone will be there, as will former British Prime Minister John Major.
But the guest list is as notable for who isn't on it as who is. Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have not been invited, leading to accusations that the royal family favors the Conservative party over Labour. Buckingham Palace responded that Major was invited not because he was a Tory, but because he was appointed guardian of Prince William and his younger brother Prince Harry when their mother Diana died in a car crash in 1997.
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Margaret Thatcher, a Conservative and the other living former prime minister, declined the invitation. She failed to appear at a Downing Street event in her honor last year because of ill health.
United States President Barack Obama also wasn't invited, raising some eyebrows. The royal family explained that as a matter of protocol, presidents were not invited. The U.S. Ambassador to London is on the guest list, as are most members of London's diplomatic corps.
But Syria's ambassador was uninvited just a day before the wedding in light of his government's current crackdown on protesters. The Crown Prince of Bahrain, whose country is also clamping down on demonstrations, was invited but on Sunday decided not to attend.
The controversies and the couple aside, the wedding looks set to be a very traditional British event in some respects.
It will include the Lord's Prayer, hymns and Bible readings typical of English nuptials, and the always nervous moment when the priest asks that if anyone present knows of a lawful impediment to the marriage, he speak now or "hereafter forever hold his peace."
Of course, the priest asking that question Friday will be Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the titular head of the worldwide Anglican church.
And while it's not unheard of for British weddings to include a singing of "God Save the Queen," this one will be unusual in that the monarch in question will actually be standing in the front row for it.
William will give Middleton a ring of Welsh gold, but she won't return the favour -- and she will not, in her vows, promise to obey him. They will exchange identical vows to love, comfort, honor and keep each other.
Of course, if William does some day become king, Middleton will then presumably have to obey him.
A ComRes poll for CNN when the engagement was announced in November found that just over half of British adults thought William would make a better king than his father Prince Charles, heir to the throne; 58 percent said Middleton would make a better queen than Charles's second wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
But the online poll's 2,015 respondents were split on the largely theoretical question of whether the crown should actually skip a generation and pass directly to William when his grandmother Queen Elizabeth dies. Forty-five percent said it should, while 41 percent said it should not.
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