Crowned heads of Europe and ordinary citizens gathered yesterday for Luxembourg’s biggest royal event in decades to see heir-to-the-throne Prince Guillaume wed Belgian countess Stephanie de Lannoy.

Afterwards, thousands of people crammed the centre of Luxem-bourg city after the ceremony to see the pair exchange their first kiss in public as a married couple on the balcony of the royal couple.

The cream of Europe’s royalty were on hand for the Catholic wedding Mass at Notre Dame cathedral blending tradition with modernity, the day after the couple tied the knot in an intimate civil ceremony.

Luxembourg’s openly gay mayor, Bettel Xavier, was accompanied by his partner to the festivities, along with some 270 ordinary residents of the Grand Duchy.

In another modern touch, the rings the couple exchanged were made from fair-trade gold.

Luxembourg Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich celebrated the multilingual Mass. The blonde countess, wearing an ivory lace gown embroidered with silver filigree, entered the cathedral on the arm of her brother Jehan.

The gown, designed by Elie Saab of Lebanon, featured three-quarter length sleeves and a silk tulle veil, also adorned with the silver floral motif that trailed some four metres behind her.

The 28-year-old bride is a member of one of Belgium’s oldest aristocratic families and the youngest of eight children.

The event, at an estimated cost of €500,000 to the Luxembourg taxpayer, included free concerts, street shows and a giant fireworks display in the evening.