Crowds camped out in London as foreign dignitaries flew in from around the world for tomorrow's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, a marriage full of pomp and ceremony that has thrust the monarchy to centre stage.
In a message of thanks to well-wishers worldwide, the couple said they were deeply touched by the outpouring of affection ahead of a wedding service that will combine ancient traditions of the monarchy with a sense of modernity to reflect the times.
However, Britain withdrew Syria's invitation, saying its crackdown on pro-democracy supporters made it inappropriate that its ambassador should attend.
Recalling the prince's mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997, the couple have chosen to lead the hymns with the final hymn that was sung at her funeral in Westminster Abbey where the couple will marry.
Ms Middleton (29) attended a final rehearsal today at the abbey, the coronation church for the monarchy since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066, accompanied by Prince William's younger brother and best man Prince Harry.
In the service, Ms Middleton will not promise to "obey" the prince as part of her wedding vows in front of a congregation gathering royals, politicians, celebrities and friends.
"We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives," Prince William, the second in line to the throne, and Ms Middleton wrote in a statement printed in an official souvenir programme.
Diana's friend Elton John, who sang Candle in the Wind at her funeral, will be a guest on Friday, and the prince has given Ms Middleton his mother's dazzling sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
The prince's marriage to Ms Middleton is seen as adding a renewed dash of glamour to a faded brand and several commentators have compared her to Diana.
On the street across from the abbey, some 200 people had already set up a makeshift campsite, with tents draped in British Union Jack flags, pictures of the couple and banners reading "It's cold but worth it" and "It could have been me".
Security will be tight on the day, with Britain on its second highest threat level, meaning an attack by militants is considered "highly likely", and police have been carrying out thorough searches along the route. Militant Islamists and dissident Irish republicans, anarchists, and stalkers are all seen by security experts as possible risks.
Prime Minister David Cameron said Britons "felt deeply" about the constitutional monarchy, which went through scandals in the 1990s notably the divorce between Prince William's parents, and described the nuptials as "unadulterated good news".
However, an Ipsos MORI poll for Reuters this month found 47 per cent of Britons were either not very or not at all interested.
Reuters