The Balcony Kiss as Husband and Wife:

Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, share a kiss with the public on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London on Friday, April 29, 2011. Photo: CTV Ottawa.

Breathtakingly beautiful, the bride stepped out of the car at the entrance of Westminster Abbey, her stunning Alexander McQueen dress and train billowing in the wind as she composed herself – and waved to the cheering crowds.  Catherine Middleton, soon to be the wife of Prince William with a new title of the Duchess of Cambridge, was incredible to watch.  She was perfect, the day was perfect and the wedding ceremony was mesmerising.

All around the world, billions watched with excitement as Prince William and Kate finally became ‘man and wife’ and emerged from the Abbey into the waiting carriage to process them through the streets of London to Buckingham Palace, delighting the crowds as they went.

And their final act of endearment were the two public kisses on the balcony, for the benefit of the massive crowds gathered outside the Palace, all awaiting their glimpse of the newlyweds.

If you missed it, take a look at the video footage available online – see the Royal Channel Youtube channel itself and leave a message for the couple.

It was a wonderful day – especially watching two people so obviously in love, make a commitment to each other for the rest of their lives.

The First Kiss – Video of Prince William and Kate kissing on the balcony, with Royal Family, watching the Fly Past:

Stunning videos of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the bride and groom, being escorted to Buckingham Palace:

Now to the honeymoon…

The atmosphere is really building up here in London.  There’s an air of excitement and anticipation, as people talk about the festivities, and wonder at the pageantry.  There is also a real sense of happiness as people convey their best wishes to this young couple.  If you’d like to send Prince William and Kate your wedding wishes, you can do so via their official Youtube page, The Royal Channel.

The Royal Channel will also give you access to the live broadcast of the Royal Wedding and an interactive Procession Map.

And with just 2 days to go before the Royal Wedding, London has been alive since the early hours with practice processions by the military on horseback.  Here’s what Friday might look like – of course, it will be during daylight hours!:

Members of the Armed Forces turned out at 4.30am in full ceremonial uniform to march along the route they will take to Westminster Abbey on Friday.

Prince William is no doubt pleased that some his colleagues who are soldiers, sailors and airmen are involved in the rehearsals and of course, the wedding itself.

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment has completed a string of major rehearsals in Hyde Park. Credit: The British Monarchy, Lynne Draper.

There will be a music rehearsal later today at Westminster Abbey, where the wedding is being held, as the preparations continue in earnest.  The flowers have already starting arriving; they include eight 20 feet-high trees: six English Field Maple and two Hornbeam. All trees used at Westminster Abbey for the Royal Wedding will be growing in planters and were made by craftsmen at Highgrove, The Prince of Wales’s Residence in Gloucestershire.

There’s a buzz of excitement because at some stage tomorrow, Prince William and Kate Middleton will arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend a rehearsal of the ceremony.  If we get a glimpse, all eyes will be looking to see how they’re faring in this extremely short run-up to their big day.

If you’re interested in buying some great gifts for avid fans of Prince William and Kate and their Royal Wedding, then take a look here.

It’s got a really wide selection of gifts – here are just a few to look at now:

Take a look at a selection of great gifts from Prince William and Kate Gifts.

Get this fab Royal Wedding T-shirt and be part of the team!

It'll be thirsty work, waiting to see the newly-weds on the day - get this gorgeous, yet practical flask!

Don't forget the little ones - here's a cute top just for them...

A seating plan has been released ahead of the royal wedding ceremony for Prince William and Kate Middleton on 29 April 2011. The couple’s nearest and dearest will be able to witness the wedding ceremony for themselves whilst more than 1,000 of those in the Abbey will have to rely upon video screens to follow the service.

However, if you look back to the wedding of Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) to Prince Philip in 1947, you’ll see that their nearest and dearest were even closer to the ceremony. The Queen Mother and the King, together with other immediate family, were seated in the Sanctuary itself and were able to witness the nuptials at very close quarters.

Prince William and Kate’s immediate family members will still be very close – seated in the North and South Lanterns (see the PDF for more details).  If you look at photos of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, you’ll see that they’ll be seated just before the steps of the Sanctuary, in line with where the Page Boys stood.

Take a look at this Royal Wedding Seating Plan in Westminster Abbey. This plan is courtesy of the Telegraph.

Prince William and Kate Middleton chose the Abbey for its intimacy despite its size, as well as its 1,000-year Royal history and majestic beauty.
About 1,000 people will sit in the section of the Abbey in front of the Quire, a partition in the building which restricts the view of the altar to anyone behind it, giving it the feel of a large parish church.

In the last few hours, sources have been communicating that Kate Middleton has commissioned three different dresses by three designers, in a bid to ensure that her dress design stays a well-kept secret. If one of her chosen designers is ‘discovered’ she will use a dress from the others in the clique.

Sarah Burton’s creations for Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2011 ready-to-wear collection. Credit: Alexander McQueen

Princess Diana had two dresses but the second was a replica of the original, just in case of a problem. Princess Diana’s dress was famously designed by the Emanuel house.

It’s rumoured that Jasper Conran may be among the select trio, along with McQueen – the design house that most people believe is the favourite to design the dress.

Sarah Burton’s creations for Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2011 ready-to-wear collection. Credit: Alexander McQueen.

Kate has also opted to change from the ceremonial wedding dress to another dress specifically designed for the evening reception at Buckingham Palace, which will be a party organised by Prince Charles to celebrate his son’s wedding.  The eyes of the world will literally be watching Kate – and the dress designs and designers will be catapulted into the ‘most wanted’ lists of billions…

Sarah Burton’s creations for Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2011 ready-to-wear collection. Credit: Alexander McQueen.

And here are some examples of Jasper Conran wedding dress designs:

Jasper Conran Wedding Dresses (Credit: JC)

What do you think?  Will Kate choose a designer like Jasper Conran?  Some of these ‘off-the-shelf’ designs are stunningly simple and might well form the basis of her dress.  The simplicity is reminiscent of the Issa wear Kate donned for the official engagement announcement.

On the other hand, the McQueen collection has an air of audacity which seems to be a trait of this relatively quiet, unassuming character – if Kate’s performance and dresses on the catwalk at St Andrews, are anything to go by.  If Kate’s design isn’t ‘outed’ before the wedding day, I think she will go for the more ‘edgy’ McQueen design house incorporating a classic flavour.  And possibly a simple, elegant Jasper Conran design for the evening reception.   But who knows what she’ll do?

They’ve brought out a ‘royal’ bridal gown for little girls in the UK now:

In the US, there’s a ‘Little Mermaid’:

I said I would give you more info – watch this great video about how Kate and William met, with information on Kate’s background as well:

And here are the key milestones in their relationship, detailing their romance with pics: click here

Link to BBC Royal Wedding Information. Credit: Mario Testino, BBC

I’ll be adding even more facts, pics and videos about Kate and Prince William meeting soon…

I don’t know about you but I’ve always wanted to know how Kate and William actually met at University and finally got together. Well, I found a video with Royal Author, Katie Nicholl giving an insight into just how that happened. She talks about them about 40 seconds into the video, so just keep watching:

I’ll give you more info later.

Also, I found this fantastic video from the Royal household where key personnel give an update on how they’re preparing for the Royal Wedding. It’s really quite fascinating:

Enjoy!

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All smiles: Kate Middleton on her final day at prep school at St. Andrew's School in Pangbourne. Photo credit: Huw Evans Agency

Kate Middleton appears happy and relaxed in the photo above.  It was taken at St Andrew’s school in Pangbourne, where she was a boarder until the age of 13.

It was then that her troubles apparently started.  She began attending Downe House, a private school consisting mainly of boarders.  As a day-girl she was in the minority, and it seems that this, together with her friendly but quieter personality, made her a target for bullies at the school.

Although specific details have not been confirmed (there are rumours of excrement on her bed) it obviously was a terrible time for the adolescent Kate – she was unceremoniously removed after just two terms and placed at Marlborough College in April 1996.

She seems to have blossomed at Marlborough College, making numerous friends and enjoying a successful academic and sporting life.

A school friend (Williamson) who was on the hockey team with her said that Catherine (Kate)  was ”this smiley, happy, sporty girl…good at tennis, swimming, running, maths and science. She was never bottom of the class, but she wasn’t top either.” Socially, she says, Middleton was ”the most kindhearted woman. There are always cliques at school, but she would have time for absolutely everyone. That’s what made her special.”   This natural trait of Kate’s will hold her in high esteem with people around the globe.

Kate continued at Marlborough College until her sixth form, achieving two A grades and a B at A-level in Maths, English and Art, before moving on to study Art History at St Andrews University, where she met Prince William.

Those that bullied her in her early years, labelling her as insignificant and not worth bothering with, will surely be the ones crying now as they watch her become one of the most influential women of our time.
And for Kate there must be a pang of sweet knowledge, that they didn’t ruin her life but may have actually been instrumental in getting her to where she is right now…

Just take a look at her now – this book has over 100 gorgeous colour pictures covering all her fashion and beauty secrets: If you’re in the US,click here for “Kate Style”

Found a great book – all about handling bullying – by Trudy Ludwig. It’s got 20 positive reader reviews on amazon:

If you’re in the US click here: Just Kidding

If you’re in the UK:

If you’re in England for the royal wedding but sadly haven’t had your personal invite to the event, it might be fun to take a trip to Windsor Castle and then visit Legoland.

Legoland is, as the name suggests, a miniature land made of lego.  For it’s 15th birthday, Legoland has built a tribute to the royal wedding.  It sits in the Miniland London area of Legoland which features some of the capital’s best known landmarks from the Millennium Bridge to the Gherkin.

Take a look at the familiar balcony scene above, Kate is centrepiece with the Queen and new husband on either side.  Prince Harry (with red hair) is in the same alcove as his father, Prince Charles, and stepmother, Camilla Parker Bowles.  Camilla and Carole Middleton are shown wearing similar headwear – something they’ll surely avoid in real life!

Here are a couple of videos of the newly set up wedding scene at Legoland:

Kate and William are also  depicted breaking from tradition (which wouldn’t be unusual for this young couple),  by kissing in front of the crowds gathered at the palace rather than on the balcony like Charles and Diana did.

They are also shown in a romantic clinch, with wedding guests holding presents behind them, and crowds of well-wishers, school children and of course, the paparazzi in front.

Celebrities are seen standing alongside Kate and William as they look out towards the crowd, including a heavily pregnant Victoria Beckham with David and children.  Sir Elton John with David Furnish are also portrayed with their young son.

Just imagine the planning and hours of work from the army of lego builders – and think how the army of people planning the real royal wedding must be toiling…

And a quick look at an April 1st stunt below:  some people honestly believed that this was the royal couple, not just impersonators working on a book launch!

Impersonators Mary Wills as The Queen, left, Simon Watkinson as Prince William, centre, and Jodie Bredo as Kate Middleton, right, pose outside of a church in London wearing wedding attire to promote photographer Alison Jackson's new book 'Kate and Wills Up The Aisle,' Friday, April 1, 2011. (AP / Jonathan Short)

Finally, if like David Beckham you’re a lego fan, take a look at the Tower Bridge model below:

If you’re in the US, click here:

Kate Middleteon’s family tree is soon to become one with royalty.  However, this middle-class commoner has no ordinary relatives.

A book released by The New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, has revealed that Kate is the eighth cousin seven times removed of America’s most famous founding father, George Washington.  And it doesn’t stop there; she’s also a cousin of Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Funnily enough, Kate’s also a distant cousin of comedienne Ellen DeGeneres (14th cousin twice removed).  Her connections to DeGeneres and Washington are traced back to the United Kingdom, to the family line of Sir Thomas Fairfax, who died in 1521, and his wife, Agnes Gascoigne.

Kate’s connection with America  has resulted from seven families that immigrated to the Virginia area during the middle to late 1600s.  The genealogical society said ‘there are likely “tens of thousands of everyday Americans” who are distant cousins of Middleton.’

“The Ancestry of Catherine Middleton” reveals that Kate’s ancestry is largely working class.  Her relations include merchants, messengers, cabinet makers, butchers, bakers, coal miners and a laundress.  A far cry from that of her fiance.

Her immediate ancestry shows that Kate is a ‘person of the people’ and if she were to become Queen one day, she would at least know what it’s like living as a ‘commoner’.

Here’s a book all about Kate (not the genealogical one mentioned above). It’s got great pics!

If you’re in the US, click here: