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Royal wedding: Prince William and Kate Middleton are married

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Prince William and Kate Middleton have been declared man and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

After the choir sang a specially composed anthem by Welsh composer James Rutter, taken from the Psalms, and the hymn ‘Guide me, O Thy Great Redeemer,’ translated from Welsh, Kate was escorted down the aisle by her father, Michael Middleton. Her sister and maid of honor Pippa carried her train.

Dean of Westminster Dr. John Hall gave the introduction to the ceremony, which was conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William.

‘If any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together let him now speak or else hereafter forever hold his peace,’ the archbishop recited.

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The bride smiled when, as the archbishop recited the vows for the couple, groom William Arthur Philip Louis was asked to ‘keep her.’

The prince responded to the archbishop with the simple phrase ‘I will,’ with a slight frog in his throat.

When Catherine, as she was referred to in the ceremony, agreed to do the same, the crowd outside let out a roar audible from inside the Abbey.

Will placed the wedding band on Kate’s finger, but it snagged on her knuckle as he pushed it on. Afterward, the couple kneeled before the altar and the archbishop said a prayer, wrapping their hands with a sash.

‘What God has joined together let no man set asunder,’ he said. ‘I pronounce that they be man and wife together in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost,’ and the crowd let out another roar.

Another hymn followed the prayers, then Kate’s brother, James Middleton, recited the lesson by St. Paul to the Romans that called on the crowd to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to God.

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‘Let love be genuine ... extend hospitality and friendship. ... Live in harmony with one another.... associate with the lonely... ...take thought for what is noble in the sight of all... if it is possible so far as it depends on you live peaceably,’ he said.

During a sermon by the Bishop of London, the couple whispered to each other.

‘Marriage should transform as husband and wife make one other their work of art. It is possible to transform so long as we don’t harm our ambitions to reform our partners. There must be no coercion if the spirit is to flow. Each must give the other space and freedom,’ the bishop said, quoting Chaucer as saying ‘when mastery cometh, the god of love anon beateth his wings and farewell he is gone.’

‘I pray that all of us present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today will do everything in our power to support and uphold you in your new life. And I pray that God will bless you in the way of life that you have chosen,’ the bishop added.

Choir and congregation sang a national favorite, the hymn Jerusalem, words by English 19th century poet William Blake and music arranged by English 20th century composer Edward Elgar.

Members of the congregation were also on their feet for the national anthem. The royal couple and witnesses went to the Chapel of St. Edward -- site of the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor -- to sign three registers. Two registers are part of the abbey collection; the third is part of Chapel Royal register.

The newlyweds emerged from the door of Westminster Abbey, holding hands and smiling, as onlookers waved, cheered and captured the moment in photographs.

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William preceded Kate, and Kate preceded her very long train, into the open-air, horse-drawn carriage that awaited them outside the Abbey. As the carriage took off with dozens of men on black horses in its wake, the Duchess of Cambridge smiled ear to ear while the white-gloved Duke of Cambridge joined her in waving to the approving crowd.

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-- Nardine Saad, and Janet Stobart reporting from London

Top photo: Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton stand at the altar during the service along with Prince Harry, left, and Kate’s father Michael Middleton, right, inside Westminster Abbey. Credit: Dominic Lipinski / Associated Press

Right photo: Kate Middleton’s mother, Carole, and brother, James, walk into Westminster Abbey. Credit: APTN / Associated Press

Left photo: Pippa holds her sister’s train outside Westminster Abbey before the ceremony.

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