Kate and best man Harry rehearse for royal wedding

London: Keen to make sure her wedding to Prince William passes off smoothly, Kate Middleton took part in a rehearsal with her maid of honour and the best man, Prince Harry, at Westminster Abbey.

Kate, William's younger brother Harry and her younger sister Pippa were joined by the young bridesmaids and page boys who will accompany the bride down the aisle on April 29, to ensure they know what to do on the big day.

William himself could not take part because he was working at the Royal Air Force base on Anglesey where he is a search and rescue pilot.

"This was one of many rehearsals that will take place and is not the first," the prince's spokesman said.

The abbey was closed to tourists for the rehearsal, which was reportedly aimed at ensuring that Kate's young entourage -- the youngest bridesmaid is just three years old -- are not too overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place.

Palace officials released a detailed timetable of the wedding yesterday, and confirmed that Kate will spend her last night as a single woman with her family at the Goring Hotel, not far from Buckingham Palace.