On April 29, the route between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey will be jam-packed with an expected 1 million people anxious to catch a glimpse of Prince William and Kate Middleton as they make their way to the altar.
The most-anticipated wedding in the 30 years since Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, it will also be broadcast live around the globe, on television and online. The orchestration of events, as listed below is precise and, for an audience that large, you can be sure it's well-rehearsed.
8:15 a.m. – 9:45 (3:15 a.m. – 4:45 a.m. ET) – The majority of the 1,900 invited guests begin to arrive, entering through the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey. Their long wait for the ceremony must be without cell phones and cameras, which are not allowed in the church.
9:50 a.m. (4:50 a.m. ET) – Members of foreign governments will arrive, including Governor-Generals and Prime Ministers of Realm Countries, the Diplomatic Corps and other VIPs.
10:15 a.m. (5:15 a.m. ET) – Prince William and Prince Harry travel from Clarence House to arrive at Westminster Abbey.
10:20 a.m. (5:20 a.m. ET) – Members of foreign royal families arrive. As well, Kate Middleton's mother, Carole and her brother, James leave nearby Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey, and upon arrival at 10:27 a.m. enter through the Great West Door.
10:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m. ET) – Royal family members will arrive and enter through the Great West Door.
10:40 a.m. (5:40 a.m. ET) – The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex (Edward and Sophie) and Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence arrive.
10:42 a.m. (5:42a.m. ET) – Prince Charles and his wife Camilla (Duchess of Cornwall) arrive.
10: 45 a.m. (5:45 a.m. ET) - Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive.
10:55 a.m. (5:55 a.m. ET) –The Bridesmaids and Pages arrive.
11 a.m. (6 a.m. ET) – Kate Middleton will arrive by a 1950s Rolls Royce, lent to her by the Queen, accompanied by her father Michael Middleton. The moment her dress is revealed and she begins her procession down the aisle, a press release will go out announcing the designer, along with sketches and photos of the dress. Also released will be the royal title the Queen bestows upon the couple.
11:05 – 12:10 a.m. (6 a.m. – 7:10 a.m. ET) – The service will be conducted by the Very Rev. John Hall, Dean of Westminster. Wedding vows will be presided over by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Sermon will be delivered by the Right Rev. Richard Chartres. Kate's wedding ring will also be blessed. There will be no kiss at the altar as it is not in keeping with the tradition of the Church of England. The ceremony will be broadcast on speakers along the route. As well, two large screens will be set up in Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square.
12:15 p.m. (7:15 a.m. ET) – The newlywed couple will leave Westminster Abbey via a Carriage Procession. They'll travel in a 1902 State Landau horse-drawn carriage down The Mall en route to Buckingham Palace, greeting the cheering crowds along the way. They will be accompanies by a Captain's Escort of the Household Calvary. The Queen's Procession with a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry will follow.
12: 30 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET) – The Bride's Carriage Procession arrives at Buckingham Palace.
12:40 p.m. (7:40 a.m. ET) – Members of the royal family, foreign royal families arrive at Buckingham Palace and other guests will begin to arrive for the Queen's lunch reception. As well, the official photographs will begin at Buckingham Palace.
1:25 – 1:35 p.m. (8:25 – 8:35 a.m. ET) – The newlyweds will appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for approximately 10 minutes. This was the site of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's brazen kiss – a departure from protocol - that delighted the crowd thirty years ago. William and Kate are expected to do the same. This will be their last public appearance of the day.
1:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. ET) – Royal Air Force flyover of jet and propeller planes
1:40 p.m. (8: 40 a.m. ET) – William and Kate return inside for the first of two receptions, for 650 guests, hosted by Queen Elizabeth. On the menu will be canapés, cocktails and two wedding cakes.
3:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m. ET) – William and Kate will leave for some private time at St. James Palace.
7:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. ET) – Wedding reception for 300 guests begins, hosted by Prince Charles. Dinner will be served; speeches will be given, including, Prince Harry's much anticipated remarks as best man. Guests will dance to music chosen by William and Kate, including all their 1980s favourites. The party, which will be attended by many of the couples' personal friends, is the least structured event of the day. According to the palace, it will "finish when it finishes."
