Zara Phillips and her new husband Mike Tindall's official wedding photo in Holyrood Abbey
Sky News
Senior members of the royal family have been celebrating the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall at a lavish palace reception.
Zara wore a gown created by the favourite designer of her grandmother, the Queen, as the couple was married at a private ceremony in Edinburgh's Canongate Kirk.
Despite being billed as a private wedding, the royal nuptials still had the air of a national event - with England rugby star Tindall and Zara , a former equestrian world champion, proving a big draw for the public.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among the congregation but this ceremony was never going to be on the scale of their huge Westminster Abbey wedding, watched by a global TV audience of hundreds of millions earlier this year.
More than 6,000 people outside the Edinburgh venue were treated to the spectacle of senior members of the monarchy and leading figures from the world of sport.
All eyes were on the bride, who wore an ivory silk gown by designer Stewart Parvin, as well as a traditional veil and tiara.
The well-wishers lining the Royal Mile gave an enormous cheer as she arrived to reveal the dress by the British, Edinburgh-trained designer.
In a tribute to Scotland, the bride had thistles in her bouquet of white blooms.
There had been speculation that Tindall, 32, might don a kilt but he and his best man, fellow England player Iain Balshaw - who was sporting a black eye - opted for traditional morning dress.
The royal bride, 30, had talked before the wedding of how she was looking forward to becoming Mrs. Tindall, but she will remain Zara Phillips to preserve her sporting name.
Wedding guests included famous names from the world of rugby such as England's coach Martin Johnson, his predecessor Sir Clive Woodward and Scotland's coach Andy Robinson.
Tindall also invited Lawrence Dallaglio and Jonny Wilkinson - former teammates who, like the groom, were part of England's World Cup-winning squad of 2003.
A touch of glamour was added by some famous women from sport and entertainment - skeleton racer Amy Williams, television presenter Kirsty Gallacher, Una Healy, a singer with girl group the Saturdays, and Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly.
Amongst the other royal guests were the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Also in the congregation were Prince Harry, the Duke of York and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
The royal women put on a colourful display of big hats and dresses with bold hues while the royal men looked smart in morning suits.
Taking pride of place during the ceremony was Zara's mother the Princess Royal and father Captain Mark Phillips and Tindall's mother Linda and father Phil.
The wedding reception was staged in the grounds of Holyroodhouse. Music from the celebration could be heard in the streets around the royal residence.
The Queen and Duke were expected to stay for the cutting of the wedding cake and probably a number of speeches before leaving the younger royals and guests to party into the night.
But the traditional honeymoon break will be postponed as the newlyweds will be back at training this week. Zara will be competing in the Gatcombe Park horse trials later this week and Tindall is likely to feature in an England rugby match against Wales next Saturday.
Culled from : Thisdayonline
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