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Prince William and Kate Middleton were pronounced man and wife today as they married in a historic fairytale ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

The future king and his beautiful bride, who will now one day be queen, pledged their love for one another in the ancient surroundings, watched by billions across the globe.

In a stunning ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, Kate walked up the red carpeted aisle a commoner.

But with her new husband at her side and a ring on her finger, the former Miss Middleton became HRH the Duchess of Cambridge - William was made a duke by the Queen this morning.

Kate leaves the abbey a princess, the newest member of the royal family and a future Queen Catherine.

She was dubbed "Waity Katie" for her patience during her long courtship with William as she waited for her prince to pop the question.

Today she finally became a royal wife.

As she recited her vows, William smiled encouragingly.

The service was flawless but there was a tiny moment of drama as the prince struggled to place the wedding ring on Kate's finger.

After the couple said their vows, in which the modern-thinking bride did not promise to obey William, the Archbishop of Canterbury declared: "I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Cheers erupted down The Mall and across the country as their union was sealed in front of a congregation of 1,900, with an estimated TV audience of two billion watching around the world.

In the presence of the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton, William placed Kate's simple gold wedding band on her finger.

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