Huge crowds were up to TEN deep at 7am today as throbbing crowds prepared to celebrate the Royal Wedding.
And wedding guests began filing into Westminster Abbey for the ceremony just after 8.30am.
TV presenter Ben Fogle ? who is attending ? showed his excitement when he tweeted: "Quick walk in Hyde Park with the dogs while the girls have their hair done. Very excited. London feels electric."
The crowds gathered as it was announced Wills will become the Duke of Cambridge today just hours before he marries Kate ? who will become Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge when the happy couple are pronounced husband and wife.
Last night Wills, 28, showed his mum Diana's legendary warmth in a heartfelt message to the nation.
He said: "The affection shown to us by so many has touched us both deeply."
The bitterly cold night failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands of revellers hoping to get the best view.
Westminster City Council said today's wedding was the capital's largest ever event and was "miles ahead" of last year's papal visit.
Incredibly Paul Reid, the authority's head of operations, said he estimated nearly a million people were on the streets of London.
Royal well-wishers from as far away as Zimbabwe and the US had camped for the last two nights to get the best view of Wills and Kate leaving the Abbey as man and wife.
WATCH the best of the action from William and Kate's big bash
Actress Sheryl Milner, 48, bagged a front row pitch after arriving five days ago from San Francisco.
Wearing a twin set of pearls and waving her Union flag, she said: "I slept on concrete for four days and in a tent last night but I feel well rested.
"I have waited for this day for quite a few years and I can feel the presence of Diana here today. It's just fantastic to be here."
Jessica Spence, 23, from Zimbabwe, said: "It's been a long cold night but it's been lots of fun. There's been some rivalry for spots with people arriving at 3am and trying to come into your spot."
Well-wishers have turned the route of the Royal Wedding procession into a sea of red, white and blue.
Waving flags and clutching umbrellas against the predicted rain, the crowds are waiting with mounting excitement for the first glimpse of the couple - and in particular the bride's dress, which has been kept a closely-guarded secret.
Kate, 29, was said to be nervous but calm as she made her final preparations for a ceremony that will be watched on television by two billion people worldwide.
Yesterday she was seen holding her hands as if checking for trembles in a jokey moment as she arrives at the Abbey for a final rehearsal.
But the Royal-to-be was beaming with confidence by the time she left with Prince Harry.
Today the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, who is conducting the service, said: "I think she will be quite calm, as a matter of fact.
"She seems to be very much in control of herself and looking forward very much to the day. .
"After the final rehearsal when William and Catherine came on Wednesday evening, they both seemed to be very happy. I'm sure they will be a little bit nervous but I'm sure they can cope with that."
Among the 1,900 guests invited to the service are a number of celebrities, including David and Victoria Beckham.
Victoria spoke of her delight at the occasion, writing on Twitter: "London looks beautiful!!! We are so proud to be British!"
Meanwhile, a joyful Prince William thrilled crowds of well-wishers on his wedding eve with a surprise walkabout.
As he shook hundreds of hands, he joked: "All I've got to do is get my lines right."
Wills made his unexpected appearance from Clarence House at 8.30pm, triggering near-hysteria from adoring Royal fans camped outside ready for today's wedding.
Messages of good luck have streamed in from countless far-flung spots across the globe - and beyond.
Even astronauts from the International Space Station sent greetings to the couple, ahead of their marriage.
In their interstellar message Flight Engineers Paolo Nespoli, Ron Garan and Cady Coleman offered their congratulations and they expect to have a "great view" of the big day.
THE spirit of Diana was present before the wedding in the official picture of Wills and Kate released yesterday.
It was taken by Mario Testino, the photographer who captured her at her most radiant.
Mario was a close friend of Princess Diana - and took iconic images of her.
Peruvian Mario's official picture of the Royal couple echoes the intimacy of his black and white shots of William's mum - including one resting her chin on her hands.
Mario, 56, took it in March 1997 after she decided to auction off 79 dresses for charity.
It was published that July - a month before her death.
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