By Andy Milne
Last updated at 6:38 PM on 29th April 2011
David Cameron today gushed over the 'incredibly romantic and moving' wedding service at Westminster Abbey.
He said the Royal Wedding represents 'the best of Britain', as he spoke of his pride at seeing William overcome the death of his mother to become a fine prince.
He arrived at Westminster Abbey with his wife Samantha, who broke with tradition by forgoing a hat or fascinator for a jewelled head piece.
Nation's pride: Mr Cameron and Samantha were cheered as they arrived at the Abbey
Coalition: Samantha Cameron and David Cameron were followed by Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez
She wore a 495 Burberry teal knee-length fitted dress with shoulder detailing and 75 nude shoes fromAldo. She also opted for a splash of colour with a burnt orange shawl and dramatic necklace.
The Prime Minister, who wore a morning suit after reversing his decision to wear a suit, also told how he had spent the night on the Mall before Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981.
But he said the celebrations were not simply about the 'handsome prince and the beautiful princess', adding: 'It's also about this incredible institution of the monarchy and the amazing public service that they have given over so many years and the extraordinary role that the Queen has played.
'I think people around the world will be watching this great historical moment and see the best of Britain and we do do these things very well.
'I slept on the Mall for Charles and Diana's wedding all those years ago and I suppose like many people my age have watched Prince William grow up and all the challenges he's had -obviously losing his mother, but now finding love and wanting to get married.
Leaders: Mr Cameron and Mrs Cameron are joined by Nick Clegg inside Westminster Abbey
Enjoying the attention: Speaker John Bercow arrives with his wife Sally, wearing a low-cut grey dress
'So like anyone who's lived in Britain, you feel quite an attachment to this whole event and that's why I think the whole country's getting excited about it.'
Mr Cameron, still wearing his morning suit wedding attire, mingled with guests and tucked into cake before posing for pictures.
He said: 'The cupcakes were very good. Buckingham Palace was very good too.
'It has been an amazing day, the whole country has had something to celebrate.'
The Prime Minister described sitting in the abbey as 'like a fairytale'.
He added: 'It was beautiful to see two people who really love each other and who are incredibly happy at an amazing ceremony.
'It's a day when we see 'the new team'. It was incredibly romantic and moving.'
Mr Cameron said today was 'not just about the beautiful princess and handsome prince', but a day when Britain celebrated the monarchy itself.
'It's a great moment for Britain, a moment when everyone is celebrating and it's being watched round the world where people will see lots of things they love about Britain,' he said.
Down with the kids: David Cameron gives a high-five to a young boy during the Downing Street party in honour of the Royal Wedding
Riveting: Mr Cameron chats with a group of school children at the Downing Street Royal Wedding party
'The ceremonial, the pageantry, the Royal Family, the institution - but also this beautiful young couple who love each other very much.'
Mr Cameron said his lasting memory of the day would be seeing William and Kate make their vows at the altar.
He added: 'Although it was a grand occasion, that was a family wedding moment. It was incredibly intimate and moving.'
Mr Cameron, who paid tribute to his wife's 'fantastic' outfit, said singing Jerusalem in the abbey with an orchestra made him feel like 'the roof was going to lift off'.
Party time: David Cameron and his wife Samantha pose with a group of school children with painted faces
School children pose with a policeman during a street party in Downing Street to celebrate the marriage of Britain's Prince William and Catherine
He said: 'There's no greater country and better place to be than right here, right now.'
LondonMayor Boris Johnson drew large cheers from the crowd when he arrived, and revealed he was giving the royal couple a tandem bicycle as a wedding gift.
'It's a fantastic day for the city,' he said. 'Obviously it shows the city at its best. In many ways it's a great dry run for the Olympics.'
SallyBercow, the wife of Speaker Jon Bercow, wore a knee-length grey dress with a low-cut plunging neckline and appeared to be enjoying the attention as she walked to the Abbey.
Nick Clegg's wife Mriam Gonzalez Durantez joined Miss Cameron in wearing a splash of orange while Ed Miliband arrived with his fiance Justien Thornton who wore a purple dress.
The British political figures were joined by a host of Royals from across the world.
Foreign Royals: Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel, the Duke of Vastergotland, and Ed Miliband and his fiance Justine Thornton
VIPs: The Netherlands Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Netherland's Princess Maxima, left, and King Siaosi Tupou V of Tonga
WilliamHague, whose wife Ffion iss in a wheelchair after breaking her leg, hosted a party for diplomatic guests and dignitaries from Commonwealth countries last night.
Some have criticised the wedding for inviting royalty from pariah states including Iran, North Korea and Zimbabwe.
One of the most controversial guests is Bahrainian ambassador Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali al-Khalifa, who is accused by protesters of torturing his citizens when he was head of the Bahrain National Security Agency from 2005 to 2008.
The Syrian ambassador Sami Khiyami was uninvited from the wedding this week over continuing violence against protesters in his country.
Minimalist attire: Charlene Wittstock, the fiancee of Prince Albert II of Monaco
Royals and former leaders: Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Teresa of Luxembourg and ex-prime minister John Major with his wife Norma
From across Europe: Monaco's Prince Albert and his fiancee Charlene Wittstock, left, and Crown Prince Alexander II of Serbia and Crown Princess Katherine
can i say how lovely it was to see a well turned out prime minster, who you can be proud of, unlike theshower that were in power for the last how many years.
- b ward, newport, 29/4/2011 20:26
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