Royal Wedding 'A Great Day', Says Kate

The new bride spoke as she and her new husband made their way to Buckingham Palace for a reception attended by close family and friends.

The princess, who has switched into a new outfit for the party, a strapless white satin evening gown, said: "I am glad the weather held off. We had a great day."

The couple are beginning their life together as a married couple after a ceremony that has enthralled the world.

Earlier, the newlyweds delighted crowds as they left the palace for Clarence House in an open-topped Aston Martin car.

With balloons tied to the back and 'JU5T WED' written on the rear number plate, the 38-year-old vintage car drew cheers and laughter from the thousands of well-wishers at the palace gates.

As a surprise for the Royal couple, the RAF flew overhead in a yellow rescue Sea King helicopter - in honour of William's job as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.

William, 28, and his new bride, who were given new titles by the Queen, had earlier shared their first public kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

To shouts of "kiss, kiss", the enjoyed a second, slightly longer kiss moments later as an RAF flypast roared overhead.

The 29-year-old bride appeared to mouth "Oh wow" as she stepped out and was greeted by a vast crowd.

Scotland Yard said 500,000 fans had gathered around in and around The Mall, many pushing towards the palace's iron gates for a glimpse of the fairytale moment.

Around one million people had watched the newlyweds leave Westminster Abbey for the palace in an open-topped carriage.

Both smiled broadly as they travelled in the 1902 State Landau, followed by scarlet-clad troops on horseback.

The groom's proud grandmother was heard remarking "It was amazing" as she walked up the red carpeted steps of the palace's Grand Entrance after the ceremony.

Following a lavish lunch reception hosted by the Queen for 650 guests, the couple then headed for Clarence House in the Aston Martin Volante to rest before the Prince of Wales's more intimate black-tie gathering of 300 close family and friends this evening.

The Duke of Cambridge married his university sweetheart Kate Middleton in a formal yet warm ceremony in which the couple promised to love, comfort, honour and keep one another.

They were named man and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury as the ceremony was beamed to a TV audience of an estimated two billion around the world.

As the congregation sang Jerusalem, one of the nation's best-loved hymns, they were joined by thousands of voices from the well-wishers gathered outside on London's streets.

William smiled frequently as he glanced over at his new wife, now herself an HRH, a Princess and a future Queen.

Sky's royal correspondent Paul Harrison, who was inside Westminster Abbey, said the service was breathtaking, with a celebratory mood.

He said a soft ripple of laughter broke a tense moment during the ceremony as the groom struggled slightly to slip the simple gold wedding band on his wife's finger.

William also managed to crack a joke with his new father-in-law, commenting that it was only supposed to be a "small family affair".

A highlight for many in the crowd was the much-anticipated arrival of the bride, who stepped out of her car to the sound of bells and cheering, allowing the world to see her much-anticipated dress.

Designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, it features lace applique full-length sleeves and floral detail.

Miss Middleton, as she was then, looked nervous yet thrilled as she walked down the aisle on her father's arm.

"You look beautiful," she was told by William, as she finally reached the altar.

The Queen, in primrose yellow, looked calm as she watched the momentous occasion.

Her grandsons William and Harry were both immaculately dressed in full regimental uniform.

Pippa Middleton, who as maid of honour carried her sister's 2.7-metre train, wore a slim-fitting cowl-neck ivory dress, which was also designed by Sarah Burton.

Excitement built all morning inside and outside Westminster Abbey, as a host of high-profile guests arrived.

Sir Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, Prince William's uncle Earl Spencer and Prince Harry's on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy were among the many famous faces in the 1,900-strong congregation.

The venue was transformed for the occasion, with a towering avenue of delicate English field maple trees along the nave.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who arrived at the Abbey accompanied by his wife Samantha, told Sky News the Royal Wedding represented "the best of Britain".

"Like anyone who's lived in Britain, you feel quite an attachment to this event and that's why I think the whole country's getting so excited about it," he said.

Some 5,000 police officers are on duty as part of Britain's biggest security operation this century, amid continuing fears about the threat of terrorism and disruptive demonstrations.

The guest list provoked controversy, with the Foreign Office announcing the last-minute withdrawal of the Syrian ambassador's invitation in the wake of the country's bloody crackdown on protesters.

Questions had been raised about why former Labour prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were not invited while Tory counterparts Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher were.

The celebrations are the culmination of a romance that began more than eight years ago when William and Kate met as students at St Andrews University in Fife, Scotland.

Their story has captured the hearts of people across the planet and thousands of foreign journalists, photographers and TV crews have descended on the capital to cover the event.

Millions of British workers are enjoying an extra public holiday to celebrate and many are attending 5,500 street parties being organised across the country, including one in Downing Street.