Wills, Kate are 'deeply touched'

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been deeply touched by the affection they have felt from many people since they became engaged, they say in a message on their official wedding programme.

The programme, released last night, offered thanks. "We are both so delighted that you are able to join us in celebrating what we hope will be one of the happiest days of our lives," they say. "The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply."

Kate will not promise to "obey" her new husband in her vows but instead to "love, comfort, honour and keep" him, the programme shows.

The programme, which includes the full order of service for the marriage ceremony, also features a new black and white portrait of the couple by the celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino.

Both William and Kate are wearing matching open-necked white shirts and are smiling broadly.

Tonight's wedding shapes up as a very grand version of a typical Church of England wedding.

Kate will walk up the aisle at Westminster Abbey to the sounds of I was glad, the anthem setting of Psalm 122 composed by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902. The anthem was also sung at the wedding of William's parents, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.

The hymns - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling and Jerusalem - are standards at Church of England marriage ceremonies.

Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer was also the final hymn at Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey in 1997.

The newlyweds will leave to the march Crown Imperial by William Walton, which also figured in Charles and Diana's wedding.

A spokesman at St James's Palace said Kate was familiar with classical music, but couple had had "a lot of input" from Prince Charles.

"They spent a lot of time listening to the music together on iPods," said the royal functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, keen royalists camping opposite Westminster Abbey were given a taste of what to expect tonight when the engaged couple arrived yesterday morning (NZT) for a surprise dress rehearsal.

The royal motorcade swept into Dean's Yard behind the church.

The windows in the vehicles were tinted but the police outriders made it obvious who the procession was for.

The press still managed to snap the couple through the windscreen of their car and blurry shots capture Prince Harry and Kate's sister, Pippa, and her parents, Carole and Michael, leaving their vehicles.

Also part of the rehearsal was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who is marrying the couple, the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, who will give the address, and the Dean of Westminster, Dr John Hall, who is conducting the service.

A photo was taken yesterday of the backseat of Kate's car in Berkshire, with a piece of paper in view with the line "With so much love within our hearts" written on it.

Kate drove to Clarence House where she unpacked her belongings - a large Tesco box, followed by two outfits in black plastic covers.

Both outfits appeared far too slim to be a bridal gown.

Dressed in jeans, a pale pink top and a white jacket, Kate also carried a small bunch of flowers into Clarence House.

Emma Green, 35, of Yorkshire, joined the dozens of "super fans" camped across the road from the Abbey, about 4pm on Wednesday local time, in front of a stand of about 100 broadcasters from around the world.

She told the Herald the crowd couldn't believe it when the couple arrived ahead of the big day.

"The police stopped all the traffic and the cars came out. Everybody cheered. We clapped away. Even though we couldn't see them, we knew they were there. We were so close to them."

Cindy Rockwell came all the way from Oregon, in the United States, with her friend Carolyn Houghton for the occasion.

The pair had booked an expensive hotel in central London but were so keen to secure a good spot they only stayed one night. They left on Wednesday to set up a couple of deck chairs in front of the Abbey, and wrapped blankets around themselves.

The friends managed to see inside the Abbey when they arrived in London, before it closed to the public.

The makeshift campsite created a carnival atmosphere with street vendors, media and even betting agencies descending on the crowd.

Ladbrokes and Paddy Power were offering bets on whether Prince Philip would fall asleep during the service, whether Prince Harry would drop the ring and what colour the Queen's hat would be.

Forecasters have predicted rain and thunder for the big day but it is expected to clear by the time the service begins at 10pm (NZT).