Kate Middleton's wave for fans as royal wedding mania sweeps nation

A beaming Kate Middleton waves to the crowds

IT was the simple gesture that had fans in raptures as royal wedding mania swept the nation on the eve of her big day.

Beaming Kate Middleton waved at wellwishers who had gathered outside her London hotel to catch a glimpse of the bride-to-be as she settled in for her last night as a single woman.

They cheered, waved Union flags and called out the 29-year-old’s name when she arrived with mum Carole, 56, and sister Pippa, 27.

The bride-to-be was greeted with cheers as she stepped out of her car

Prince William had his own surprise for delighted fans as he went on an impromptu ­walkabout to meet those camped out near Clarence House. He spent several minutes shaking hands, ­chatting and posing for photos.

Not far away in the streets around Westminster Abbey, the ­atmosphere was buzzing as the clock ticked down to Kate and 28-year-old William’s big day.

Hundreds ­gathered to add to those already camping in the hope of securing the ideal vantage point from which to see the procession. A million are expected to line the route.

Carolyn Prepp, 65, flew to London from her home in Ontario, Canada. She said: “I came specifically for the wedding. I wanted to ­experience it. It’s history in the making. I came with my daughter. She thinks William is great.”

Retired teacher Kay Jones, 88, from California, added: “I’ve always loved the royals. The ­atmosphere will be wild. Americans love it.”

The Duchess of Cornwall also went on a ­walkabout, along the Mall.

Prince William looked happy to pose for pictures

She said: “It’s wonderful and all very exciting. There’s a great atmosphere and it’s so nice to meet people and see how the ­celebrations are getting under way.” David Cameron visited royal fans along the same stretch.

Former England skipper David Beckham got special permission from his club LA Galaxy to fly from Los Angeles with wife Victoria.

He said: “It really is amazing. Our country needs it. Our country wants it. The British public love the Royal Family.”

Kate made last-minute preparations for the wedding with William yesterday.

She also visited the Abbey at 9am with Prince Harry, 26 – William’s best man – bridesmaids Lady Louise Windsor and Margarita Armstrong-Jones and pageboy Tom Pettifer. Kate left her husband-to-be and checked in to a £5,000-a-night royal suite at the Goring Hotel in Belgravia shortly before 6pm.

Staff filled her room with 20 bouquets of red and white freesias, lilies and roses.

Owner Jeremy Goring said: “We are delighted to be playing a small part in such a great day.”

William spent his last night as a bachelor at Clarence House. He enjoyed a dinner with Harry, Charles and Camilla. His gran, the Queen, hosted a gala dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel near Hyde Park for British and foreign royals.

Two billion TV viewers worldwide will watch today’s wedding, where Kate will promise to “love, comfort, honour and keep” William. As the Mirror exclusively revealed last week, she has opted not to “obey” him.

Police yesterday put the finishing touches to the massive security operation designed to make sure the wedding goes off without a hitch.

Officers have been scouring Westminster for ­explosives and hidden weapons in recent days, inspecting drains, lamp-posts and traffic lights.

More than 5,000 will today form a ring of steel around the proceedings. Snipers will be on rooftops and undercover officers are to mingle among the crowds in an operation that could cost up to £20million – Scotland Yard’s most expensive and high-profile in a generation.

More than 20 people suspected of planning to disrupt the wedding were yesterday arrested.

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Download the Daily Mirror's 'Wills & Kate A Royal Love Story' souvenir mobile app for iPhone, iTouch, iPad or Nokia smartphone here

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Prince William shows his mum’s warmth with heartfelt message to nation

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.

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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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