NERVOUS Kate Middleton sneaked into Westminster
Abbey again yesterday to rehearse for the big day.
As a timetable for the royal wedding was released,
the bride-to-be slipped secretly into the 1000-year-old
church to prepare for the April 29 ceremony.
With just two weeks to go, she was joined at the
run-through by chief bridesmaid sister Pippa and
William’s best man Prince Harry. It came just three
weeks after another rehearsal at the abbey - and there
are more to come.
Yesterday’s visit was to help her six little bridesmaids
and page boys, all born to royalty, the aristocracy or
royal aides, prepare for their roles.
Kate is terrified of fluffing her lines in front of 1900
guests, including heads of state, and the watching
world.
She has been practising repeating the full name of her
husband-to-be - William Arthur Philip Louis - to make
sure she doesn’t get tongue-tied.
Wills’s mum Diana was so nervous at her wedding in
1981 that she called her new husband Philip Charles
Arthur George - instead of Charles Philip Arthur
George.
William was not at the Abbey yesterday because he
was working as an RAF search and rescue pilot in
Wales.
But he has told his friends he is feeling the pressure,
even saying publicly that his knees were “tapping”
together at another rehearsal three weeks ago.
A royal source said yesterday: “Of course, Kate and William
want everything to go perfectly on their big day. “There will
be lots of rehearsals. This particular one was focused on the
bridesmaids and page boys as Kate is very conscious she
wants them to be comfortable on the big day.”
After the rehearsal, the children were given a short tour of
the ancient building by the Very Reverend John Hall, Dean of
Westminster, who will conduct the service on the day.
The bride, dubbed Waity Katie for hanging on so long for a
proposal, plans to turn the tables on Wills when she arrives
at the abbey for the 75-minute ceremony. Royal aides
revealed Kate wants to follow in Diana’s footsteps by turning
up late for the ceremony. A source said: “It’s every bride’s
prerogative.”
The UK is set to go royal wedding crazy - spending £1.7
billion on mementos, food and drink. Industry advisor Active
International warned some retailers will run out of Wills and
Kate stock.