Royal Wedding

• Kate will vow to 'love, comfort, honour and keep' William
• Royal pair broke with tradition by writing own message in official programme
• 150,000 souvenir copies of A5 guide available tomorrow for £2 each

Kate Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey today where she was cheered by crowds of wellwishers just 24 hours before she marries Prince William.

She was joined by best man Prince Harry, as well as the bridesmaids and pageboys and members of her family for one final rehearsal of the big day which will be watched by two billion people round the globe.

The last run-through was taking place as it was revealed Miss Middleton will not promise to 'obey' Prince William in her vows.

New picture: This portrait of the Prince William and Kate Middleton by celebrated photographer Mario Testino was published in the official programme

Today thousands of royal fans had set up tents outside the Abbey where there was a carnival atmosphere.

As Kate arrived this morning a huge cheer went up from the royal fans who had arriving from round the globe.

Waving their Union flags, the crowds were up only to wave to the passing Household Cavalry this morning before the bride-to-be arrived for a last run through.

 

It is the last time Miss Middleton or a member of the Royal Family will be at the abbey before the service gets under way tomorrow, St James's Palace said.

Today the journalist who carried out the couple's engagement interview said they were attempting to 'block out the terror of having two billion people' watching them tomorrow.

Kate Middleton and Prince Harry at the Abbey this morning for the last run-through. Two billion people are expected to watch the ceremony tomorrow

In a personal message to wellwishers, the couple said they were 'incredibly moved' by the affection shown to them since their engagement in the official wedding programme.

Tomorrow modern-thinking Miss Middleton will pledge to 'love, comfort, honour and keep' William. The vows are printed in full below.

The soon-to-be royal is following in the footsteps of the Prince's mother Diana who also opted not to 'obey' the Prince of Wales during their wedding ceremony in 1981.

The Queen, Princess Margaret and the Princess Royal all said they would obey their husbands.

William and his fiancee have selected the Series One Book of Common Prayer ceremony, from 1966, which allows the bride to drop 'obey him' and 'serve him' from the religious proceedings.

Last practice: Kate Middleton, with her mother Carole and Prince Harry, gets into a Jaguar and leaves Westminster Abbey this morning after a final run through. The next time she will be back there will be for the wedding

Grinning bride: A smiling Kate Middleton, right, arrives at Westminster Abbey for the last run through. Left, her sister Pippa enters with bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem

With William choosing not to wear a wedding ring, only the prince will say 'With this ring I thee wed' as he places the golden band on Kate's finger.

The task of writing a message at the start of the official programme usually falls to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The wrote that they were deeply touched by people's reactions as they prepare for 'one of the happiest days of our lives', they said.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: 'The couple felt that they wanted to put in a message from themselves.'

The signatures 'William' and 'Catherine' can be seen underneath the heartfelt message.

The programme also contains a hand-drawn colour map of the carriage procession route, as well as the history of the abbey and details of William and Kate's coats of arms.

Last hours: Kate Middleton and Prince Harry leaves Westminster Abbey with family and friends this morning just a day before the ceremony after the final run through

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Official programme: William and Kate said in their message at the start of the keepsake that they would like 'to thank everyone most sincerely for their kindness'

It includes a brief history of past royal weddings at the abbey, where William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066.

It declares: 'More than a millennium after the first William made his solemn oath, the abbey hosts another William and his bride for a further moment of great solemnity, but one of great joy as well.'

Some 150,000 copies of the A5 booklet, costing £2 each, will be made available along the processional route on the wedding day by a team of military cadets and Explorer Scouts.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams will conduct the vows, before pronouncing the couple 'man and wife'.

The vows were released as it was revealed that tomorrow's traditional wedding service will be the epitome of 'Britishness'.

A message from the royal couple in the souvenir programme says: 'We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives.

Wellwishers: Susanna Buckman, from Maryland, U.S. and Jessica and Chelsea Spence from Zimbabwe in the tented village outside Westminster Abbey this morning

Royal father: Prince Charles arrives at Clarence House this morning hours before his son marries Kate Middleton tomorrow

Wedding guide: Kate will not vow to 'obey' William it was revealed in vows printed in the official guide this morning. Pictured right, Kate Middleton leaves the final rehearsal last night ahead of the big day

'The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply.

'We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone most sincerely for their kindness.'

The keepsake souvenir, which includes the full Order of Service for the marriage ceremony tomorrow, also features a new black and white portrait of the couple by the celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino.

In a close-up shot, both the Prince and Miss Middleton are wearing matching open-necked white shirts and are smiling broadly, with Kate leaning towards William.

In the much anticipated service, the music of famous classical favourites by Elgar, Britten and Vaughan Williams will all sound out around the ancient abbey.

From the popular hymn Jerusalem to the quintessential English melody Greensleeves, the couple have embraced the nation's musical heritage in their choice of choral pieces and compositions.

St James' Palace said many of the 'stunning' pieces were picked by the bride and groom for their 'theatre'.

Final preparations: The household cavalry ride past Westminster Abbey early this morning on the day before the Royal Wedding

Clock ticking: Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey with Prince Harry for today's rehearsal ahead of the wedding tomorrow

Final rehearsal: Prince William and fiancee Kate Middleton leave Westminster Abbey together last night after a last wedding run through

Catering staff are scanned as they enter Westminster Abbey this morning

Tom Bradby, ITN political editor and William's friend, told ITV's Daybreak that the couple were trying to foget so many people will be watching.

'I think there has been a really concerted attempt to block it out and just concentrate on their marriage,' he said.

'The church is going to be full of many, many people, a lot of whom they've never met, and they just want to think about themselves and what it means to them.'

Mr Bradby, a former royal correspondent, will attend the wedding as a guest.

Mr Bradby said William was determined to protect his fiancee from intrusion into their lives.
'I have really been struck over the last 10 years about how determined he has been to protect,' he said.

'He looked at his mother and what happened to her and it didn't take a genius to draw the lessons that he's obviously drawn from it - which is he doesn't want that sort of chaos in his life.

'He's tried to effectively create this iron wall around his friends and his girlfriend. You kind of worry for them that this is the moment the world gets let in.'

Mr Bradby described the young couple, who met as undergraduates at the University of St Andrews, as 'sophisticated' media operators.

Beaming: Bride-to-be Kate Middleton as she leaves Westminster Abbey this morning

By Royal Appointment: Page boy Tom Pettifer, eight, and Lady Louise Windsor arrive for the rehearsals this morning

Final countdown: Tents line the street outside Westminster Abbey this morning where William and Kate will wed in a service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury

William's father the Prince of Wales and stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall and Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton and sister Pippa will all act as witnesses and sign the historic marriage registers during the ceremony on Friday.

It also emerged that the bride will walk up the aisle to the dramatic sounds of a coronation anthem - the soaring choral masterpiece 'I was glad' by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry from Psalm 122.

It was composed for the crowning of Prince William's great-great-great grandfather Edward VII at Westminster Abbey in 1902, but is also popular at weddings.

As the choir begins to sing, the bride will begin her three and a half minute procession through the Nave and Quire to meet her Prince on her father's arm.

The newlyweds will leave the Abbey to the sounds of the well-known rousing orchestral march Crown Imperial by William Walton, which was also played at Charles and Diana's wedding.

The three hymns - 'Guide me, O thou great Redeemer', 'Love divine, all loves excelling' and Jerusalem which begins 'And did those feet in ancient time' - are all favourites of the couple.

The traditional souvenir programme is available to download from today at www.officialroyalwedding2011.org.

Run-through: Sophie Wessex, left, arrives at Clarence House this morning and, right, Kate Middleton's mother Carole leaves for Westminster Abbey

Official programme: 150,000 copies have been printed of the A5 booklet, costing £2 each, which will be made available along the route on the wedding day by a team of military cadets and Explorer Scouts

Royal bride vows to 'love, comfort, honour and keep' William

Here is the full Solemnization of Marriage conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury from the Order of Service:

The Archbishop says to Prince William:

William Arthur Philip Louis, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

He answers:

I will.

The Archbishop says to Catherine:

Catherine Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

She answers:

I will.

Royal fans: Enthusiasts sleep on the streets - one of them in a tent adorned with a Union Jack - outside Westminster Abbey as they guarantee themselves the best spots for tomorrow's ceremony

The Archbishop continues:

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

The Archbishop receives Catherine from her father's hand. Taking Catherine's right hand, Prince William says after the Archbishop:

I, William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee, Catherine Elizabeth to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.

They loose hands.

Catherine, taking Prince William by his right hand, says after the Archbishop:

I, Catherine Elizabeth, take thee, William Arthur Philip Louis, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.

They loose hands.

Tent city: Hundreds of campers were set up outside Westminster Abbey this morning and cheered as Kate Middleton and senior members of the Royal family arrived for a run through

Exclusive entrance: Workmen erect a screen at the front of The Goring hotel which Kate Middleton has chosen as a base for herself and her closest family ahead of the royal wedding

The Archbishop blesses the ring:

Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favour, and live together in love until their lives' end. 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prince William takes the ring and places it upon the fourth finger of Catherine's left hand.

Prince William says after the Archbishop:

With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Congregation remains standing as the Couple kneels.

The Archbishop says:

Let us pray.

O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

The Archbishop joins their right hands together and says:

Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

The Archbishop addresses the Congregation:

Forasmuch as William and Catherine have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Archbishop blesses the Couple:

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.