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Live Commentary brought by Lee Hannon starts from 4 pm Beijing time Good afternoon and welcome to China Daily’s live online coverage of the Royal wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton. Tens of thousands have gathered around the streets of London to watch the ceremony which begins in less than two hours. An estimated two billion people are gathered in front of TV sets around the world to watch this historic occasion. Here our team of journalists give you the latest developments, expert insight and colourful commentary as events unfold. Lee Hannon is an editor with chinadaily.com.cn with 16-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has covered the Royal family intensely throughout his career working for some of the UK's biggest national newspapers and TV news channels, as well as four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing. Craig McIntosh (L) and Todd Balazovic(R) work with China Daily too.
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So that was it. The Royal wedding with all its pomp and ceremony is over. Its been a pleasure sharing our thoughts and observations over the last few hours, but as we bid goodbye to the night, we greet a future King and Queen. We offer three words summing up the day's events as a final comment. Craig: Pompous, but enjoyable. Todd: A rigid affair. Lee: Ghastly, historic, mawkishness.
13:35
Craig: I didn't even see it it was that quick. Lee: What, they kissed, no way? Todd: That was a kiss? 13:30
The kiss that was missed around the world. Did you see it? Most were left blinking by the brief split-second peck. Was the royal wedding sealed with a kiss?
13:26
The royal couple appear on the balcony waving and smiling to adoring fans who cheer from below
Other major royals appear on the famous balcony as William and Kate have their first public kiss as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
13:18
Crowds are surging around Buckingham palace for the moment the newlyweds appear on the balcony for the highly anticipated Royal kiss. Bells ring loudly over the crowds around the gold statue outside the Palace, marking the historic moment.
13:11
Meanwhile back to the proceedings. One slip up occurred on the way back to the palace involving a horse. "The horse freaked out and the guy fell off," said Joanne Law, 27, from Shepherd's Bush in west London speaking to Guardian. "He was hanging off and the horse freaked out and the crowd started shouting and then he fell off. He tried to hold the harness and get it over to the other horses.
He couldn't get back on. I felt sorry for the horse because everyone was shouting and screaming. It shocked me. I thought he might fall." Still, she mused, it would be something to remember.
13:06
Craig: I am now looking at pictures of what the royal wedding would look like in Legos. Todd: Did it match? Craig: It wasn't that far off. Lee: I thought the lego was lacking in movement. 13:03
Todd: favorite song? Craig: I liked Jeruselem, just because it reminds me of the countryside of England. Did you recognize any of them? Lee: I recognized the National Anthem 12:55
My chinese friend watching is not impressed. Shun: Its none of my business, it will help UK tourism, but I thought it was boring. Shun added: We think it's a romantic thing, like a fairy tale. They don't have anything like this in China that's why so many people were interested in watching.
12:50
Todd: I am curious about how the vows and speeches were translated into Chinese Craig: My Chinese friend just asked me do we call William a "duke" or "duck"? I think that might depend on the mood you're in at the time. 12:42
Craig: If i was in the northeast, UK, I would be doing the same thing as I am in China - watching it on the wedding on the telly. Lee: Most people I know would use it as an excuse for a few drinks Todd: I doubt any but the most stalwart American supporters of the UK are drinking at 5 in the morning. I think most will catch the replays later in the afternoon. Craig: Do you think the onlookers can actually attend this event and be disapointed? Todd: they've got to be a patient group, waiting for hours just to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds 12:39
The reaction to the wedding has been one of great jubilation from my fellow guests watching this evening: Todd: For the build-up to the royal wedding there were no twists or turns apart from the unveiling of Middleton's dress. It was a rather straight forward affair. Craig: The closest thing the US has ever come to a royal wedding was when Chelsea Clinton got married Lee: Everyone within in royal circles will be extremely pleased with how the event went, no slips or stumbles, and the kiss is still to come. 12:31
Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at Buckingham Palace.
12:22
The new royal couple's restored carriage, a 1902 State Landau, orignally transported the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles from their wedding at the Abbey in 1981.
12:17
Sitting beside her husband, Kate Middleton practices her first public wave as official English royalty to the cheers of the crowd.
12:15
Kate Middleton is visibly relaxed as the marriage ceremony comes to a completion and she accepts her new role as the Duchess of Cambridge
12:13
The new Duke of Cambridge dons white gloves as he prepares to board the royal wedding carriage with his new bride.
12:10
The wedding procession files out of the church as they depart for Buckingham Palace where the first kiss of the newlyweds will take place on the palace balcony. The carriage procession of the new couple with a captain's escort of the Household Cavalry, followed by the Queen's procession with a sovereign's escort of the Household Cavalry. The horses drawing the royal carriage are Cleveland Bays, the only British breed of carriage horses.
12:02
Blest pair of Sirens is currently playing, words by John Milton from At a Solemn Musick, music by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry. Following the Signing, there will be a Fanfare by the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Fanfare, called Valiant and Brave, after the motto of No. 22 Squadron (Search and Rescue Force) was specially composed for this Service by Wing Comma.
  Britain's Prince William, and Kate Middleton exchange rings before the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, during their wedding ceremony In Westminster Abbey, in central London April 29, 2011.
11:45
The young couple stands before the towering gold altar of Wesminster Abbey as they sign the register to make them legally man and wife as they repeat a prayer. The national anthem is about to play.
11:41
The newly formed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and future King and Queen of England join in the call and response hymn Ubi Caritas by Welsh-composer Paul Mealor.
 Britain's Prince William stands at the altar with his bride, Kate Middleton, and her father Michael, during their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey in central London April 29, 2011. 11:31 The choice of hymn for the service is particularly good. Westminster Abbey, for anyone who hasn't been, has fantastic acoustics. The atmosphere in there must be electric. 11:30 The service is currently hearing Anthem by Jonh Rutter, a British composer. Specially written for this service. Rutter takes his musical influences from British, French and American Culture 11:25 James Middleton makes a speech to the 2,000 strong crowd following the hymm Love Divine All Love Excelling, words by Charles Wesley and music by William Penfro Rowlands. 11:23 Prince William and Kate Middleton are now officially man and wife and become the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 11:20 Prince William firmly places his late mother's ring on Kate Middleton's finger as he finishes his vows 11:18 Kate Middleton looks nervous as she repeats her vows staring into Prince Williams eyes 11:17 Royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William begins
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