Royal Wedding

SSSHH...! The sound of London celebrating the Royal Wedding gets a bit too much for one bridesmaid

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 6:04 PM on 29th April 2011

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Ssshhh: Bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem covers her ears during the fly past watched by millions

Being invited to the wedding of the decade would make most people beside themselves with excitement, but for the youngsters chosen to accompany Kate Middleton down the aisle it was a dream come true. 
As the world watched, the six children who made up the bride's troupe of bridesmaids and pageboys were the epitome of good behaviour and composure - for the most part at least.
The noise of millions clapping and cheering outside Buckingham Palace got too much for the new Duke of Cambridge's three-year-old goddaughter Grace Van Cutsem who covered her ears to escape the racket when she joined the happy couple on the balcony.
And her displeasure at the noise was all too apparent from the look on her face. Even as Kate bent down to comfort her as the flypast approached, she repeated the gesture.
However, during the service all assumed the look of solemnity befitting the event and appeared to be concentrating hard on their jobs.
While none of them flinched at the attention, three-year-old Eliza Lopes, the Duchess of Cornwall's granddaughter, clutched her floral head-dress constantly, apparently concerned it might slip off.

Pipe down: Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, but it's all too much for bridemaid Grace van Cutsem, left, who has to cover her ears from all the cheering
The others, William's seven-year-old cousin Lady Louise Windsor and his second cousin Margarita Armstrong-Jones, eight, Billy Lowther-Pinkerton, 10, the son of William's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, and the prince's godson, Tom Pettifer, eight, also appeared stern as they played the role they had rehearsed only yesterday at Westminster Abbey.
Despite their young ages, all six children seemed to appreciate the importance of the ceremony, frowning seriously as they stopped behind the bride when she reached the altar.

 

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Only once the ceremony was over and they were on their way out of the church did the infants appear to relax a little - realising, perhaps, that they had performed their duties with aplomb.
The elder children even allowed themselves to smile a little as they left the abbey - although Eliza still fiddled with her head-dress.

Are you looking at me? Grace van Cutsem looks in awe at the crowds as she travels with Pippa Middleton to Westminster Abbey

Not sure: Bridesmaid Eliza Lopes, the granddaughter of the Duchess of Cornwall, waves tentatively at the crowds

As the newlyweds climbed into their waiting carriage, Tom broke into a broad grin, gazing about in joyous wonder at the scene.
And when the happy couple entered Buckingham Palace with the children behind them, the little boy, still smiling, could hardly take his eyes off them.
Only once they took to the balcony of the palace, where Prince William kissed his bride, did one or two of the infants become overwhelmed.
For the most part though they won the hearts of the adoring public as they waved and smiled. 
Speaking near the abbey, April Brown, 45, from Chievely in Berkshire, said: 'They all looked so cute. I noticed that with one of the tiny bridesmaids, her mum brought her forward to join the procession.'
Lesley Hill, 44, from St Helen's, said: 'I thought the page boys and flower girls were very cute and their outfits were beautiful.

Responsibility: Grace van Cutsem and Eliza Lopes hold on to Pippa Middleton as they enter Westminster Abbey - but Eliza's hair piece is bothering her

In we go: Pippa Middleton guides the bridesmaids into Westminster Abbey - but Eliza's hair piece is still not right

The children looked 'so beautiful', Doris Narty, 74, from Ghana, gushed. 'Their quality was superb. Everything was perfection.'
Indeed the bridesmaids' hand-made dresses were the stuff of every little girl's dreams.
Ivory with ballerina-length pleated skirts, puff sleeves and gold sashes tied in a bow, they were created by bespoke childrenswear designer Nicki Macfarlane, whose daughter Charlotte Macfarlane helped make them at their homes in Wiltshire and Kent.

Hello up there: Pageboy Tom Petiffer glances as he waits with bridesmaids and his fellow pageboy inside Westminster Abbey before the ceremony

The younger bridesmaids wore ivy and lily-of-the-valley hair wreaths, inspired by the head-dress worn by Kate's mother Carole Middleton at her wedding in 1981.

As a special memento, each of the four girls have had their name and the date of the wedding hand-embroidered on to the lining of their dresses.
Echoing Kate's dress, they were made using the same fabrics.
The full, box pleated skirt was used to add a sculptural quality, with the layering of ivory over white satin gazar adding depth of colour.
The dresses were hand-finished with delicate English Cluny lace, visible under the skirts, and four layers of net underskirt.
The puff sleeves and neckline were trimmed with the same English lace as the bride's underskirt, while the backs were finished with the same button detail.

Wave: Prince Harry talks to page boy Tom Pettifer as he waves to the crowds with bridesmaid Eliza Lopes, right, as they make their way to Buckingham Palace

Where are we going? Pippa Middleton keeps watch over the bridesmaids on the return to Buckingham Palace

Don't look so worried - you did a good job! William Lowther-Pinkerton looks a little concerned on the journey back to the Palace with Pippa Middleton
The sashes were made of pale gold wild silk, tucked at the front and tied at the back in a sumptuous bow, St James's Palace said.
On their feet the girls wore classic Mary Jane style satin shoes with a Swarovski crystal buckle, made by Devon-based Rainbow Club.
The bridesmaids' bouquets by Shane Connolly used flowers from the bride's bouquet, including lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth.

All smiles: Philippa Middleton, sister of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Maid of Honour on the way back to Buckingham Palace

Ready for the reception: Bridesmaids and page boys arrive at Buckingham Palace after the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince William and Catherine

Too small to see over the balcony: The Prince of Wales holds the Duchess of Cornwall's granddaughter Eliza Lopes so she can see the cheering crowds, alongside with Carole Middleton

Their waist-length capes, also by Nicki Macfarlane, were made from ivory Yorkshire wool, edged in fine English lace and tied at the front in the same satin gazar as the dresses.
Mrs Macfarlane professed herself 'thrilled and honoured' at being asked to design the dresses.
'I couldn't be more proud to have been part of this wonderful day,' she said.
The page boys were dressed in the Regency-style red tunic of a Foot Guards officer.
The look, which dates from the 1820s, draws its insignia from the Irish Guards.


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