Thursday, April 28, 2011

Here comes the groom: William goes on a final walkabout as a single man

By DAVID WILKES

The happy prince: Prince William greets well-wishers along The Mall ahead of his wedding


There's no room left near the Abbey for people wanting to get the first glimpse of the married couple

Camilla went out to meet people waiting outside Clarence House earlier in the day
Prince William delighted thousands of well-wishers in The Mall last night as he staged an impromptu walkabout.

Joined by his brother Harry, the beaming prince stunned die-hard fans when he appeared from Clarence House at about 8.30pm to thank them for their support.

A few burst into tears and a sea of hands rose up, desperate for the chance to shake hands with the prince and to wish him luck before the big day.


Best man: Prince Harry joined his brother on the stroll near Clarence House


Dressed casually in a pale shirt, black jumper and chinos, he looked relaxed as he cracked jokes with the crowd, echoing his mother Diana’s easy nature with the adoring public.

He paid particular attention to the children who squeezed forward to peer over the barrier at the tall prince.

His brother Harry kept his distance so as not to detract attention from the man of the hour – so much so that television cameras did not even notice he was there until he strolled back into Clarence House.


'Would anyone mind if I switch over to watch the snooker?'


A casual stroll: Prince Harry greets some fans - and William looked relaxed as he cracked jokes with the crowd


Meet and Greet: Camilla Duchess of Cornwall stepped out to meet people on the Mall on the eve of the wedding


Red, white an blue: As well as the T-shirt, hat and the hair, this lady even painted her nails in the colours of the Union flag while, right, Terry Hutt 77, from Cambridge, is clearly a fan of the union


What a pair of cards: Royal fans dressed as King and Queen of Hearts walk along the Mall


Crowning achievement: One hopes this lady's headwear isn't the real thing pilfered from Tower of London while, right, John Loughrey, 56, brought a replica of the official engagement ring, perhaps in the hope of finding his own princess with so many fellow royal fans in attendance


Right royal celebration: Tents lining the cobbled pavement as the world's press do their rounds


One girl takes a load off on an inflated pink sofa as they camp out in Parliament Square and (right) Royal fans wrapped up in sleeping bags to keep the cold out


Who will buy? A street vendor draped in a William and Kate flag sells his royal wedding souvenirs in Trafalgar Square and, right, there's a smart suit somewhere under the clingfilm and cut-outs combination belonging to Richard Firth from Reading


Royal watchers wearing tiaras talk amongst the tents outside the entrance the historic church


From across the pond; Four royal fans from the U.S. are show their own version of the red, white and blue outside Westminster Abbey


Cold time: The royal watchers had camped out all night in a bid to get the best spot to see the event


Carnival: Campers set up trellis tables and passed round sandwiches to get through the cold night



Oh, what a knight: Colin Bickers walked 55 miles from his home town of Worthing in his full suit of armor for the wedding - raising money for charity along the way


Royal wedding: William greets fans ahead of wedding


source: dailymail