NEWS

Royal couple touched by wedding excitement

28th April 2011

(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Britains Prince William and his fiance Kate Middleton say they have been incredibly moved by the reaction to their impending marriage.

The couple are due to marry at Londons Westminster Abbey tomorrow morning and their official wedding programme has been released. Details about the order of service are included along with a personal message from William and Kate, paying tribute to everyone who has offered support since their engagement.

"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 message reads. "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 official order of service has also revealed Kate will not promise to obey William when they make their vows. The 29-year-old will instead pledge to "love, comfort, honour and keep" her spouse. Kate is following in the footsteps of Williams mother the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who also chose not to obey when she married Prince Charles in 1981.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams will conduct the marriage vows, while the service will be led by the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall, Dean of Westminster.

It has been confirmed that Kates brother James will give the only reading at the wedding, which will feature the words "Let love be genuine".

Details about the flowers have also been made public by Clarence House. It has been revealed the flowers and plants totalling almost 30,000 - have all been sourced within in the UK and include azaleas, rhododendron, euphorbias, beech, wisteria and lilac. The aisle in Westminster Abbey has been transformed into an avenue of trees, with field maples and hornbeams measuring up to 25ft lining the route for Kates walk to the altar.

The bride will walk up the aisle to I Was Glad, an anthem composed for the crowning of Prince Williams great-great-great grandfather Edward VII at Westminster Abbey in 1902.

The ceremony has been described as the epitome of Britishness, with Prince Charles helping the couple to choose their wedding music, which will include the hymns Jerusalem and Love divine, all loves excelling.

"Catherine is very familiar with classical music. She had a lot of input from the Prince of Wales. They spent a lot of time listening to the music together on iPods," a St. James's Palace spokesman said. "The theme of the whole wedding is Britishness, accentuating traditional forms and crafts.

"A lot of these pieces have been chosen for their theatre. They are stunning pieces of music that fill the abbey and give a sense of grandeur to the occasion."

The official programme also features a new black and white portrait of William and Kate taken by celebrated photographer Mario Testino. The close-up shot shows the smiling couple wearing matching white shirts, as Kate leans towards William.

Kate, her sister Pippa who is her maid of honour - and Williams best man and brother, Prince Harry, visited Westminster Abbey again this morning for some last-minute preparations.

Kate and her family will stay at The Goring Hotel in London tonight, while William will spend the evening with Harry and Prince Charles. (C) Cover Media

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