Beneath the famous balcony thousands of cheering well-wishers watched as Prince William and his new bride The Duchess of Cambridge finally kissed. Kate giggled afterwards while William smiled broadly.
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| Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Reuters |
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| Prince Charles and Princess Diana's kiss on the balcony in 1981 |
Like Prince Charles and Diana before them, the romantic gesture will become one of the defining images of their wedding day - and both will be acutely aware of its significance.
Body language expert Peter Collett, author of The Book Of Tells, said the body language of William and Catherine was diametrically opposed to that of Charles and Diana 30 years ago. And their loving gestures towards one another signals that theirs will be a long and happy union.
He says: 'In 1981, there were loads of signs the relationship didn't have a great future and most of them came from Charles. He looked miserable, paid Diana very little attention and, during the ceremony, wiped his eyes not once but twice - a classic sign of sadness and, one suspects, regret.
'Today, we see a completely different picture with both William and Kate regally composed and obviously enjoying the occasion - William uncharacteristically totally confident and the couple completely into each other.
'When they made their vows, they looked into each other's eyes, and there were other touching moments during the rendition from the choir when they showed some wonderful examples of synchronicity with Kate glancing at William and William sensing this and looking lovingly back.'
The kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace was the first time William and Kate had kissed in public.
The fleeting embrace sent the already ecstatic crowds wild, and was repeated during the flypast.
After more than five minutes of waving to the crowds, the couple walked hand in hand back through the doors of the palace.
Earlier, stepping on to the balcony, Kate appeared to gasp 'Oh my' as the royal couple saw the thousands of well-wishers lining the Mall before being joined by members of their family.
When the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer married on July 29, 1981, their kiss became one of the most enduring images in royal history.
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| William and Kate walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey. AFP |
Their break from formality and royal protocol came in direct response to clamours from the expectant crowds below.
At the time, Charles was reported to have said to Diana: 'I am not going to do that caper. They are trying to get us to kiss.' Then she responded: 'Well, how about it?'
But as the young princess arched gracefully backwards, her veil flowing behind her in a fairytale pose, her husband appeared rather less at ease, creating a slightly stilted embrace.
Five years later, the Duke and Duchess of York followed in their footsteps, appearing to relish their wedding day 'balcony moment'. They taunted the cheering crowd, cupping their ears and leaning over as if being unable to hear the chants of the well-wishers below.
'When they kissed, it was with a sense of fun, they were giggling and smiling at each other and it appeared much sexier,' body language expert Judi James said. 'It was not the chaste kiss of Charles and Diana.'
On Friday, Kate and Wills looked very much in love, as the Prince leaned towards his bride at the alter and whispered 'You look beautiful'.
Earlier today there were cheers from the crowd as the famous Buckingham Palace balcony, where William and Kate were due to appear after the service for their first kiss in public, was decorated with a crimson drape lined with yellow edging.
© Daily Mail, London
Party at
the Palace!
Their wedding day was a spectacular event watched by two billion people worldwide.
But Prince William and his new bride Catherine finally let their hair down on Friday night with a wedding reception at Buckingham Palace.
Some 300 of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's closest family and friends celebrated with dancing and dinner at the black tie do, which stretched into the early hours.
The Queen and Prince Philip handed over the palace for the celebration, which was hosted by William's father Prince Charles.
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated moment of the night was Prince Harry best man's speech.
The Duchess had switched into a new white outfit for the party -- also created by Sarah Burton who designed her wedding gown.
The second dress was a strapless white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist, St James's Palace said.
Kate was also wearing a white angora bolero cardigan.
The couple left with Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall. The royal party looked happy and relaxed.
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| Kate's second dress was a strapless white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist. William stuck to the safe bet of a dinner jacket and bow tie |
The heir to the throne and his son, the new Duke of Cambridge, were dressed in dinner jackets with black bow ties.
Kate had her hair down in her favourite style for the private party.
Camilla wore a light blue hand-embroidered high-collared floor length Anna Valentine dress for the evening.
The new Duchess's family had left the Goring Hotel shortly before 7.30pm.
Her sister Pippa had changed from her bridesmaid dress into a long emerald green sleeveless dress with a jewelled embellishment on the front and a plunging neckline.
Her hair was pinned up at the back and she was carrying a clutch bag.
Kate's mother Carole Middleton smiled after stumbling slightly as she came down the stairs at the hotel and her son James placed a guiding hand on her back as she climbed into a silver people carrier.
Mrs Middleton wore a black capped sleeve dress, cut low at the front and back, with a tiered skirt.
The bride's father and brother wore black tuxedos with bow ties.
Within the walls of the royal residence, toasts were drunk to the newlyweds, speeches made, including Prince Harry's best man speech, and guests danced the night away within the walls of the historic royal residence.
The ballroom, measuring just over 36 metres in length and 18 metres in width, is the largest of the 775 rooms in the palace and was the focal point for the party.
Guests mingled in the white drawing room, music room, blue drawing room and state dining room - all found in the west wing - and the nearby picture gallery.
One of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event, held in the State Rooms including the grand ballroom, was Prince Harry's best man speech.
When the party concludes, the newlyweds were expected to spend their first night as a married couple at the Palace.
© Daily Mail, London |
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