Her Majesty ? who celebrated her 85th birthday today ? signed an elaborate state document giving her approval to Wills and Kate's wedding so the marriage would deemed valid.
In it the monarch gives permission to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton".
Under a law dating back to the 18th century, all descendants of George II must obtain the sovereign's agreement before they wed.
Typed in calligraphy, the notice is tied by gold braiding to the wax Great Seal of the Realm, a seal used to symbolise the monarch's approval of important state documents.
The "Instrument of Consent" features the couple's initials entwined in gold beneath the prince's coronet, but St James's Palace said this was not the couple's official symbol.
A white lily represents St Catherine of Siena, whose feast day falls on April 29 and with whom Kate shares her name.
Beneath it is a Welsh leek surrounded by William's white three-pronged, second-in-line to the throne label, and a tiny red escallop from the Spencer family Arms.
There is also a red dragon ? the heraldic symbol of Wales ? and the UK's floral emblems ? the rose, thistle and shamrock.
William's blue and gold Order of the Garter belt can be seen as well as a gold E for Elizabeth.
The Queen's signature "Elizabeth R" is at the top right of the document, which is dated "the ninth day of February Two Thousand and Eleven in the Sixtieth year of Our Reign".
It was signed "by the Queen herself, signed with her own hand" at a Privy Council meeting after the monarch made a formal Declaration of Consent.
The Queen celebrated her birthday by attending the traditional Royal Maundy Service at Westminster Abbey where her grandson will marry next Friday.
It is the first time the two events have coincided.
The Queen presented the elderly with Maundy money, a practice on the Thursday of Holy Week which dates back centuries.
The recipients ? 85 women and 85 men ? were retired pensioners selected because of their tireless work for the Church and their communities.
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