London:
As thousands of tourists arrive in London for the royal wedding on Friday, nearly 1,000 members of Britain's armed forces today conducted a pre-dawn dress rehearsal on the streets of London in full ceremonial clothing.
Britain is reputed to hold such events better than any country, and the key to this is practice.
Every aspect of the arrangements for Friday is being practiced to the last detail, including music, flowers, sound systems, drinks, food and security.
Before dawn today, members of the army, navy and the air force, who will be on duty on the day, wore full ceremonial uniform and left Wellington Barracks in Westminster to take part in the dress rehearsal.
Soldiers lined the route to the Cenotaph, outside the entrance to Downing Street, from where the Royal Air Force personnel lined the road to Horse Guards Parade.
Army personnel lined Parliament Street and several companies of the Royal Navy lined the conclusion of the route. The Westminster Abbey, the ancient venue of the wedding, closed its doors to the public on Tuesday so that preparations could get under way.
According to schedule, on Friday the carriage procession will pass along The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Horse Guards Parade, through Horse Guards Arch, along Whitehall, along the south side of Parliament Square and into Broad Sanctuary.
A dress rehearsal for clergy and broadcasters is also scheduled for today, while the royal couple are expected to hold their own preparations with senior clergy at the abbey.
Tabloids today published photographs of royal-bride-to-be Kate Middleton driving from her parents' house in Bucklebury, Berkshire, to London on Tuesday.
Britain is reputed to hold such events better than any country, and the key to this is practice.
Every aspect of the arrangements for Friday is being practiced to the last detail, including music, flowers, sound systems, drinks, food and security.
Before dawn today, members of the army, navy and the air force, who will be on duty on the day, wore full ceremonial uniform and left Wellington Barracks in Westminster to take part in the dress rehearsal.
Soldiers lined the route to the Cenotaph, outside the entrance to Downing Street, from where the Royal Air Force personnel lined the road to Horse Guards Parade.
Army personnel lined Parliament Street and several companies of the Royal Navy lined the conclusion of the route. The Westminster Abbey, the ancient venue of the wedding, closed its doors to the public on Tuesday so that preparations could get under way.
According to schedule, on Friday the carriage procession will pass along The Mall, Horse Guards Road, Horse Guards Parade, through Horse Guards Arch, along Whitehall, along the south side of Parliament Square and into Broad Sanctuary.
A dress rehearsal for clergy and broadcasters is also scheduled for today, while the royal couple are expected to hold their own preparations with senior clergy at the abbey.
Tabloids today published photographs of royal-bride-to-be Kate Middleton driving from her parents' house in Bucklebury, Berkshire, to London on Tuesday.
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