Kate’s smile of love

Today, Kate Middleton will become a princess, with her every move watched by an estimated television audience of two billion people. But last night, as she waved to hundreds of well-wishers, the bride-to-be could not have looked more relaxed, a picture of love and happiness ahead of the most important day of her life.

Details of the Royal wedding ceremony have been released along with a message from Prince William and Miss Middleton revealing they have been “incredibly moved” by the affection shown to them since their engagement.

The couple said: “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.

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

Last night William delighted crowds waiting patiently on the Mall by embarking on an impromptu walkabout.

The prince unexpectedly left Clarence House at around 8.30pm to shake hands with thrilled onlookers.

Looking relaxed and happy, he spent several minutes chatting with fans on both sides of the street and posed for pictures, telling the well-wishers: “All I’ve got to do is get the lines right.”

The wedding service at Westminster Abbey will be a traditional affair with a strong flavour of “Britishness”. The souvenir programme also reproduces the much-anticipated order of service and the final hymn at Princess Diana’s funeral, Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, is to be sung at the ceremony.

William’s father the Prince of Wales and stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall, his brother Prince Harry, Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton and her sister Pippa will act as witnesses and sign the historic marriage registers during the ceremony.

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.

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 orchestral march Crown Imperial by William Walton, which was also played at Charles and Diana’s wedding.

The Queen will host a lunchtime reception for the bride and groom. But the 85-year-old monarch will then head out of the capital with the Duke of Edinburgh for a private weekend, leaving the newlyweds to party the night away at a black tie evening reception with their friends.

Among those preparing to play at Westminster Abbey is an organist from Sheffield. Robert Quinney, who is the sub organist at the abbey, learned to play at All Saints Ecclesall Parish Church.

David Quinney, Robert’s father, said: “He has played some big events, but nothing as huge as this.”

Tens of thousands of well-wishers from around the world have converged on London ahead of the wedding. Last night, in the calm of nearby Clarence House, 28-year-old William enjoyed his last hours as a single man with Charles, Camilla and Harry. Miss Middleton, 29, was with her family at the exclusive Goring Hotel in Belgravia.