London, April 28
Crowds camped out in London and foreign dignitaries flew in from around the world for Friday’s wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, a marriage full of pomp and ceremony that has thrust the monarchy to centrestage.

Recalling William’s mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997, the couple have chosen to lead the hymns with the final hymn that was sung at her funeral in Westminster Abbey where the couple will marry.

Middleton, 29, attended a final rehearsal on Thursday at the abbey, the coronation church for the monarchy since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066, accompanied by William’s younger brother and best man Prince Harry.

In a message of thanks to well wishers worldwide, the couple said they were deeply touched by the outpouring of affection ahead of a wedding service that will combine ancient traditions of the monarchy with a sense of modernity to reflect the times.

In the service, Middleton will not promise to “obey” William as part of her wedding vows in front of a congregation gathering royals, politicians, celebrities and friends.

“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,” William, the second in line to the throne, and Kate wrote in a statement printed in an official souvenir programme.

Diana’s friend Elton John, who sang “Candle in the Wind” at her funeral, will be a guest on Friday and William has given Kate his mother’s dazzling sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

The Royals’ cool reaction to Diana’s death contrasted starkly with a huge outpouring of public grief and marked a low point for the monarchy. William’s marriage to Middleton, who is from an affluent middle-class background rather than the aristocracy, is seen as adding a renewed dash of glamour to a faded brand and several commentators have compared her to Diana.

Across London, preparations were well under way with flags and red, white and blue bunting fluttering across buildings and shops. Similar scenes are being echoed in cities, towns and villages across the country and the government said about two million people would take part in about 5,500 street parties. — Reuters