SEALED WITH A KISS

IT was the kiss that sent more than half a million well-wishers and an estimated two billion television viewers around the world into raptures. But, as with any romance, not every girl was quite so happy to hear the news.

Amid the blinding snapping of cameras and a raucous cheer from the crowds below, Prince William and his blushing bride, Kate Middleton, gave their first public embrace in a marriage hoped to be the polar opposite of previous royal unions.

But despite the joyous moment, three-year-old bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem appeared less than pleased with events.

Clasping her hands over her ears to block out the cheers of the crowd and pulling a face, Prince William’s god-daughter momentarily stole the show.

Thankfully, the touchingly human moment in a traditionally austere ceremony was the only mishap in a day that captured even Irish hearts.

The newlyweds’ kiss was the perfect end to the public part of the star- studded day which began at Westminster Abbey.

From the early hours of yesterday morning, almost 2,000 guests, including well-wishing celebrities such as David Beckham, his wife Victoria, and Elton John, queued to gain entrance to the picturesque site of the royal wedding.

Outside, hundreds of thousands more thronged to catch a glimpse of the longed-for moment.

Kate, who is now in line to become a future Queen of England, entered the proceedings in a Rolls Royce accompanied by her father, Michael.

Dressed in an elegant flowing ivory gown and followed by her maid of honour and younger sister, Pippa, she was heard exclaiming a not-so-royal “oh wow” on seeing the scene before her.

The 75-minute ceremony — which was the most high-profile British royal wedding since Prince William’s own parents’ at the same location 30 years ago — was overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

Despite the seriousness of the occasion, small signs that this will be a marriage like no other in the British monarchy’s recent history were apparent throughout proceedings.

At one point, a soft ripple of laughter broke the tense atmosphere as Prince William struggled to slip the gold wedding ring onto his bride’s finger.

He later joked with his new father-in-law that the ceremony was out of hand as it was only meant to be a “small family affair”.

Threats by 21 anarchists banned from the nearby area, and fans wearing Union Flag wigs describing the scenes as “sophisticated”, acted as a further reminder that this was no ordinary wedding.

But the moment of shy genuine affection on the balcony, the journey the couple have already travelled, and the reaction of a three-year-old girl to the kiss millions have waited to see suggests even these pressures will be overcome.

As the grinning newly-weds drove off in a vintage, open-topped Aston Martin, Prince William may have been tempted to whisper “come, kiss me Kate”.

Even a little girl with sore ears couldn’t prevent him that.