Kate and william wedding pictures
Prince drives his new bride away from the Palace in a vintage Aston after balcony kiss thrills the crowds* William tells Kate 'You look beautiful' as she arrives at the altar
* He jokes with Kate's father 'we're supposed to have just a small family affair'
* Two BILLION people watch couple tie the knot
* 5,000 royals enthusiasts camped out overnight at The Mall
* Prince struggles to get ring on Kate's finger
* One million well-wishers line the streets to catch a glimpse of the couple
* Prince William takes the title Duke of Cambridge and Kate becomes Duchess
After a kiss that thrilled the nation, Prince William drove full throttle into the nation's affections as he took his new wife on an unexpected drive to Clarence House.
They left their Buckingham Palace reception in Prince Charles's open-top Aston Martin with 'Just wed' on the number plate.
It was the fitting climax to what had already been a remarkable day - and it was the common touch his mother Diana would have been proud of.
As the crowds roared, the couple emerged in the 38-year-old classic car with a yellow RAF rescue helicopter flying overhead.
The vehicle had been given to Charles as a gift when he turned 21. The couple drove round the front of the Palace before returning to the private reception.
They emerged from the Palace two hours after stepping out on the balcony and marked their marriage with their first public kiss.
But the first public embrace of William and his bride Catherine was so fleeting that you would have missed it if you had blinked.
The loving couple leaned in for a brief, but loving kiss, after which he smiled broadly while she giggled. The crowd in The Mall below, chanting ‘We want Kate, We want Kate’ simply roared with delight.
Then, as an RAF flypast was sweeping towards the palace, William whispered to Kate and leaned forward for a second, slightly more lingering kiss.
This was the fairytale a million people had taken to the streets of London to see today. And they were not disappointed.
Despite predictions that rain would put a dampener on the big day, it stayed dry and the sun even managed to poke its head out.
In a stunning ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, Kate walked up the red carpeted aisle a commoner.
At Westminster Abbey’s altar she became a royal.
She clutched a bunch of white flowers as she embarked on the short drive to Westminster Abbey, before starting her three-minute walk up the aisle to be with her groom.