The Royal Grumpy Little Bridesmaid

William the worrier: Even on his wedding day, Prince watches out for his little bridesmaid

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:11 PM on 30th April 2011

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It may have been the most important day of his life - but Prince William showed even at his wedding his caring and attentive nature didn't slip.
During the balcony appearance with his new bride, he was well aware that the momentous occasion and roar of thousands of fans was proving a bit much for one little bridesmaid, Grace van Cutsem - who clapped her hands over her ears. 
The newlyweds were accompanied on to the balcony of Buckingham Palace by their families, bridesmaids and page boys to greet crowds who had crammed on to The Mall to catch a glimpse of their first public kiss. The moment was beamed around the world to two billion people. 

Enlarge   Attentive: Prince William comments on the antics of bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem

Once back inside the palace, the Prince was caught on camera commenting to Kate, Prince Charles and Camilla: 'Did you see how terrified Grace looked?
'Grace, she was like with her hands on her ears.'
He then mimics the gesture she had adopted on the balcony where the wedding party also watched an RAF flypast.

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Three-year-old Grace is William’s god-daughter and the son of Rose Astor and Hugh Van Cutsem, a friend of William and Harry.

Cheers: Bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem covers her ears as the crowd roars with delight for William and Kate's first public kiss

Her uncle Nicholas van Cutsem, a major with the Household Cavalry, commanded the mounted soldiers who accompanied William and Kate's carriage back to the Palace from Westminster Abbey.

She may, too, have been grimacing about the soppy sweet nothings being whispered just over her left shoulder.
A lip reader’s analysis showed that, following their first kiss, William touchingly told his new bride ‘I love you’ before going in for a second crowd-thrilling embrace.
‘Let’s give them another one. l love you. One more kiss, one more kiss, okay,’ he said.
After the final kiss he gently mocked the enthusiasm of the cheering hordes, saying: ‘Come on! Come on! More! More! More!’
Page boy Tom Pettifer, eight, is another one of William’s god-children and the son of his former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke.
Another bridesmaid was William’s cousin Lady Louise Windsor, seven, Prince Edward’s daughter. She has rarely been photographed before because she has exotropia, a condition which causes a divergent squint.

Family affair: William and Kate discuss their balcony appearance with Camilla and Charles

The Hon Margarita Armstrong-Jones, eight, William’s second cousin, may be more used to the spotlight. 
The daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Linley came into the public eye in 2006, when William swung her into the air as they walked to church on Christmas Day.
William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton, ten, is the son of Prince William and Prince Harry’s private secretary since 2005, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.

Little helpers: William and Kate surrounded by, clockwise bottom right, The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Miss Eliza Lopes, Miss Grace van Cutsem, Lady Louise Windsor, Master Tom Pettifer, Master William Lowther-Pinkerton

During the service the young members of the wedding party did the bride and bridegroom proud. 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 clutched her floral head-dress constantly, apparently concerned it might slip off.
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.
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.
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.

credits: www.dailymail.co.uk