Pre-dawn rehearsal for royal wedding held

Up to 1,000 members of the British military carried out a pre-dawn royal wedding dress rehearsal today.

The full-scale walk through in preparation for Friday’s big day involved the Army, Navy and RAF.

The eyes of the world will be on Prince William and Kate Middleton when they begin their journeys to and from Westminster Abbey.

And it falls in no small part to the military to ensure the couple’s occasion has all the pomp and grandeur it deserves.

So nothing was left to chance with the dry run in which timings were tested to the second and all armed forces taking part got the chance to practise their role in their service uniforms and ensure nothing is left to chance.

The day began very early – about 2am for those involved.

Forces left Westminster’s Wellington Barracks shortly before 5am to begin their way along the route.

Some of the soldiers, sailors and airmen practising their duties were Prince William’s colleagues.

First to arrive at the abbey were two of the royal fleet cars – Rolls-Royces which arrived at about 4.50am.