Rehearsals Underway For Royal Wedding

Ahead of the Royal Wedding on Friday, a pre-dawn military walk-through has taken place on the route.

During the practice, soldiers lined the route to the Cenotaph, outside the entrance to Downing Street.

Shortly before 5am, around 1,000 members of the Army, Royal Navy and RAF left Wellington Barracks in Westminster.

Meanwhile, pilots involved in a flypast to mark the celebrations have been rehearsing in Lincolnshire.

The royal carriages also took part in the full-scale procession to Westminster Abbey, along with two royal fleet cars.

This Friday sees the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Mounted Branch escorting the Royal Carriage Procession for HRH Prince William and his new wife on return from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. This is one of several high profile ceremonial events where the Mounted Branch provides Sovereign's Escorts, known as the Grey Escort.

The Escort on the day will be led by a mounted Inspector who rides as the "Pointer". This role involves the Inspector leading the procession, made up of the Calvary, the married couple and other members of the Royal Family.

In total there will be nine Grey horses and officers forming the escort.

A vast amount of preparation is being carried out before the Royal Wedding. Selection and training sessions have identified the best 11 Greys who have demonstrated a good and calm temperament and are now in the process of being put through various exercises and routines.

The Mounted Branch has led such processions for many years including Princess Diana's wedding, the Duke of York's wedding, the funeral of the Queen Mother, Trooping the Colour and some State Visits.

(BMcN/GK)