WillKat to spend wedding night at palace

They are expected to fly abroad the following day for a two-week break at a secluded location.

Two generations of royal newly-weds have travelled to Hampshire to begin married life at Broadlands,the former home of Earl Mountbatten of Burma,the Prince of Wales great-uncle.

In 1947,the Queen,then Princess Elizabeth,and the Duke of Edinburgh posed for pictures on the estate,near Romsey,where they spent a weekend before flying to Balmoral for the rest of their honeymoon.

In 1981,Prince Charles and Diana,Princess of Wales,memorably set off for Waterloo station in an open carriage with a Just Married sign stuck to it by the Duke of York,before taking the train to Broadlands for the first three days of their married life.

The countdown to the royal wedding began in right earnest on Friday when Kate attended a rehearsal at Westminster Abbey exactly a fortnight before the big day. She was said to be relaxed but excited as she was guided through the service by the Dean of Westminster,the Very Rev John Hall.

Prince Harry,who will be his brothers best man,was also present at the half-hour walk-through for the bridal party along with Middletons sister Pippa,who will be maid of honour,and the bridesmaids and page boys.

Middleton and William,who could not attend the rehearsal because he was on duty with the RAF,will attend a rehearsal together a week before the wedding.