(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A policeman directs pedestrians near Westminster Abbey in London, Thursday, April 28, 2011. Royal enthusiasts are camping out on the pavement to reserve a spot to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton as they arrive to marry in Westminster Abbey on Friday, April 29.
LONDON — Practice makes perfect: Kate Middleton and her bridesmaids, together with best man Prince Harry, rehearsed one more time at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, the eve of the most anticipated royal wedding in decades.
But politics intruded on Friday's royal nuptials, with Britain withdrawing its invitation to Syria's ambassador to condemn the violent crackdown on protesters there that has left hundreds dead.
The rehearsal came as Middleton and Prince William released their wedding program, which says they have been deeply touched by an outpouring of affection toward them.
"We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives," they wrote. "The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply."
They also released a new photograph by celebrity photographer Mario Testino -- a warm black-and-white image.
Much is at stake for the royal family, who hope the match bolsters the Windsor dynasty and smooths over memories of the damaging, embarrassing divorce of William's parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles. William has often referred to his late mother with great affection, and gave Kate his mother's engagement ring -- ensuring she isn't forgotten during the sacred occasion.
The ceremony will offer pomp and circumstance on a scale to rival Charles and Diana's fairy-tale wedding in 1981, with 1,900 invited guests and royal carriages drawn by mounted troops of the Household Calvary. Rows of bold red, white and blue Union Jacks have been unfurled in the streets and cleaners have scrubbed the parade route.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the twisting path from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, where the new royal couple will appear on the balcony for a kiss watched by millions around the world.
Westminster Abbey itself has been transformed into a blooming forest, with six field maples and two hornbeams lining the aisle leading up to the altar.
Dozens of die-hard fans were already camped out in tents and sleeping bags Thursday near the iconic landmark. Among them was India Marlow-Prince, a 17-year-old from London who was picnicking with friends. The trio painted their faces with the Union Jack and wore tiaras and matching hot pink T-shirts with the homemade slogan "Will and Kate forever."
"She is the Diana of our generation. And Wills is a babe," Marlow-Prince said. "We are a little annoyed at her for taking him, but there's always Harry."
The wedding presents a major security challenge for the 5,000 police officers on duty, who will be on the lookout for Irish dissident terrorists, Muslim extremists, anti-monarchists, protesters and hooligans. A wide range of police will be on patrol: officers on motorcycles, escort specialists, dog handlers, search officers, mounted police, protection officers and firearms units.
Scotland Yard Police Commander Christine Jones said there has been no new terror threat but considerable Internet chatter. "Our operation has been meticulously planned, and we have thought through and planned for a huge range of contingencies," she said.
But it wouldn't be a wedding without a tussle over the guest list. Britain revoked a royal wedding invitation to Syrian Ambassador Sami Khiyami because of violent attacks on protesters by the regime there.
More than 450 people have been killed since mid-March in the uprising against President Bashar Assad's authoritarian regime, with 120 dead over the weekend.
The rehearsal came as Middleton and Prince William released their wedding program, which says they have been deeply touched by an outpouring of affection toward them.
"We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives," they wrote. "The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply."
They also released a new photograph by celebrity photographer Mario Testino -- a warm black-and-white image.
Much is at stake for the royal family, who hope the match bolsters the Windsor dynasty and smooths over memories of the damaging, embarrassing divorce of William's parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles. William has often referred to his late mother with great affection, and gave Kate his mother's engagement ring -- ensuring she isn't forgotten during the sacred occasion.
The ceremony will offer pomp and circumstance on a scale to rival Charles and Diana's fairy-tale wedding in 1981, with 1,900 invited guests and royal carriages drawn by mounted troops of the Household Calvary. Rows of bold red, white and blue Union Jacks have been unfurled in the streets and cleaners have scrubbed the parade route.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the twisting path from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, where the new royal couple will appear on the balcony for a kiss watched by millions around the world.
Westminster Abbey itself has been transformed into a blooming forest, with six field maples and two hornbeams lining the aisle leading up to the altar.
Dozens of die-hard fans were already camped out in tents and sleeping bags Thursday near the iconic landmark. Among them was India Marlow-Prince, a 17-year-old from London who was picnicking with friends. The trio painted their faces with the Union Jack and wore tiaras and matching hot pink T-shirts with the homemade slogan "Will and Kate forever."
"She is the Diana of our generation. And Wills is a babe," Marlow-Prince said. "We are a little annoyed at her for taking him, but there's always Harry."
The wedding presents a major security challenge for the 5,000 police officers on duty, who will be on the lookout for Irish dissident terrorists, Muslim extremists, anti-monarchists, protesters and hooligans. A wide range of police will be on patrol: officers on motorcycles, escort specialists, dog handlers, search officers, mounted police, protection officers and firearms units.
Scotland Yard Police Commander Christine Jones said there has been no new terror threat but considerable Internet chatter. "Our operation has been meticulously planned, and we have thought through and planned for a huge range of contingencies," she said.
But it wouldn't be a wedding without a tussle over the guest list. Britain revoked a royal wedding invitation to Syrian Ambassador Sami Khiyami because of violent attacks on protesters by the regime there.
More than 450 people have been killed since mid-March in the uprising against President Bashar Assad's authoritarian regime, with 120 dead over the weekend.
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