The people meet their new princess

A casually dressed Kate Middleton bantered with the crowd gathered outside the Goring Hotel in London on the eve of her wedding to Prince William.

Sister Pippa gives Kate company ahead of the big day. The princess-to-be is handling the attention just fine.

Kate Middleton and her mother Carole, centre right, and sister Pippa, partially seen, are greeted upon arrival at the hotel.

In a surprise public appearance, Prince William and his best man Prince Harry chatted with the stunned crowd gathered at Clarence House. From behind the barriers, the crowd asked a casually dressed William how he was feeling. He replied, "I hope I'm not too nervous tomorrow."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, arrived at a famous London hotel to host a pre-wedding reception for foreign royals on Thursday evening.

Wearing a long lilac and silver dress, the Queen chatted with royals from across Europe and the Middle East at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hyde Park.

Prince Charles (R) and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were immaculately dressed.

Prince Charles' youngest brother, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, arrive at the Mandarin Oriental.

The Spanish Royals arrive: Queen Sofia, Crown Prince Felipe, and his wife, Princess Letizia.

Exiled King of Greece, Constantine (L) kisses the hand of Princess Michael of Kent on arrival.

Spain's Queen Sofia smiles at the crowd.

Queen Sonja of Norway arrives.

The Queen waves at the crowds.

Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia pose for the cameras.

Lady Alexandra Ogilvy (L), cousin to The Queen, arrives with children James and Marina Ogilvy at the hotel.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe, right, with Lady Anson arrive at the hotel.