Beckhams,Guy Ritchie,Elton John: Stars shine at wedding

John waved to the crowds and gave a thumbs-up as he arrived with his partner David Furnish for the wedding of Prince William,second-in-line to the throne,and Kate Middleton.

The singer performed in the abbey in 1997 during the funeral of Princess Diana,Williams mother. Former Prime Minister John Major was also among early arrivals at the Abbey. Major,a Conservative,was prime minister from 1990 to 1997. His two Labour successors Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were left off the guest list. Prime Minister David Cameron,preparing to attend the wedding,said he was very excited. Its a mixture of this amazing young couple,the fact they love each other,its also the institution,the national symbolism,the monarchy,the service of the royal family, he told BBC TV. Its all those things and a chance to celebrate. We are quite a reserved lot,the British,but then when we go for it,we really go for it.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and opposition leader Ed Miliband joined the 1,900 inside the abbey,along with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The guest list draws from a broad spectrum of society,the old establishment colliding with the brasher world of celebrity,reflecting Williams privileged background and his attempts to reach out to a wider public.

Chelsy Davy,Prince Harrys on-again-off-again girlfriend,was watching as the prince stood with his brother at the altar. Tabloids have speculated endlessly about the state of her relationship with the younger royal and her presence at the event was seen as a sign the pair were still close.

Other guests included actor Rowan Atkinson best known for his Mr Bean act,photographer Mario Testino,who snapped the official engagement shots,and singer Joss Stone.