(States Twitter)-Hundreds of Kingdom troops paraded through the deserted streets of London on horseback overnight in a final dress rehearsal ahead of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding Friday.
Soldiers, airmen and sailors started taking up positions from 2 a.m. for their final practice run, which began at dawn.
Entire run-through lasted several hours, and each detail of the procession was timed to military precision.
Everyone who took part in the rehearsal wore uniforms, with members of the British Royal Navy, Army and Air Force lining the route on foot.
Rolls Royce that will carry the future princess to the service beside her father, Michael, was also involved in the procession and arrived at the wedding venue first, at about 4:50 a.m.
Middleton's final journey as a single woman will take her via Buckingham Palace along the Mall, down Whitehall and past the Houses of Parliament to Westminster Abbey, and is expected to be lined by tens of thousands of well-wishers.
When the couple emerges from Westminster Abbey as husband and wife after the hourlong ceremony, they will climb into a horse-drawn carriage and travel the same route in reverse, escorted by mounted troops from the Household Cavalry.
Excitement is palpable in London ahead of Friday's festivities, and dozens of excited royal fanatics have now pitched tents to secure the best vantage point.
Inside Westminster Abbey, final preparations are also being made.
Floral decorations were brought into the venue Tuesday afternoon and have been designed by London's Shane Connolly.
Eight 20-feet-high trees also arrived - consisting of six English Field Maple and two Hornbeam - and the display will remain in place until May 6 so the public can enjoy them.
Music rehearsal will take place Wednesday, and the bride and groom are also expected to have their own run through in the coming days with senior clergy.
No comments:
Post a Comment