London, Apr 29 : After a final rehearsal at Westminster Abbey, Kate Middleton arrived on Thursday evening at the Goring Hotel, where her family are staying ahead of her marriage to Prince William on Friday, reports Daily Mail, London.
Wearing a polka-dot dress, the bride-to-be, accompanied by her sister Pippa and mother Carole, waved to the huge crowd which has gathered outside the hotel in Belgravia.
A beaming Kate showed no sign of nerves as she prepares to spend her final night as a single woman - and a commoner. And royal fans had an extra treat as her husband-to-be greeted well-wishers along The Mall.
Prince William, accompanied by his brother Harry, shook hands and chatted with the crowd near Clarence House. Earlier today, Kate was greeted by cheers at the abbey as she was joined by best man Prince Harry - as well as the bridesmaids and pageboys and members of her family - for one last run-through of the big day which will be watched by 2billion people round the globe.
The practice took place as it was revealed Miss Middleton will not promise to 'obey' Prince William in her vows.
Thousands of royal fans had set up tents outside the Abbey where there was a carnival atmosphere.
As Kate arrived, a huge cheer went up from the royal fans who have been arriving from round the globe.
Waving their Union flags, the crowds greeted the passing Household Cavalry this morning before the bride-to-be arrived for a last run-through. It is the last time Miss Middleton or a member of the Royal Family will be at the abbey before the service gets under way tomorrow, St James's Palace said.
Later on, the Duchess of Cornwall went out onto the Mall to meet well-wishers and those camping out ahead of tomorrow's event during an impromptu walkabout.
When asked how she was feeling ahead of the big day, the duchess said: 'We're all ready for tomorrow - it's wonderful and all very exciting!
'There's a great atmosphere out here and it's so nice to meet people and see how the celebrations are getting underway.'
Today the journalist who carried out the couple's engagement interview said they were attempting to 'block out the terror of having two billion people' watching them tomorrow. In a personal message to well-wishers, the couple said they were 'incredibly moved' by the affection shown to them since their engagement in the official wedding programme. On Friday modern-thinking Miss Middleton will pledge to 'love, comfort, honour and keep' William.
The soon-to-be royal is following in the footsteps of the Prince's mother Diana who also opted not to 'obey' the Prince of Wales during their wedding ceremony in 1981. The Queen, Princess Margaret and the Princess Royal all said they would obey their husbands.
William and his fiancee have selected the Series One Book of Common Prayer ceremony, from 1966, which allows the bride to drop 'obey him' and 'serve him' from the religious proceedings. With William choosing not to wear a wedding ring, only the prince will say 'With this ring I thee wed' as he places the golden band on Kate's finger.
The task of writing a message at the start of the official programme usually falls to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The wrote that they were deeply touched by people's reactions as they prepare for 'one of the happiest days of our lives', they said.
A St James's Palace spokesman said: 'The couple felt that they wanted to put in a message from themselves.'
The signatures 'William' and 'Catherine' can be seen underneath the heartfelt message.
The programme also contains a hand-drawn colour map of the carriage procession route, as well as the history of the abbey and details of William and Kate's coats of arms.
It includes a brief history of past Royal Weddings at the abbey, where William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066.
It declares: 'More than a millennium after the first William made his solemn oath, the abbey hosts another William and his bride for a further moment of great solemnity, but one of great joy as well.'
Some 150,000 copies of the A5 booklet, costing £2 each, will be made available along the processional route on the wedding day by a team of military cadets and Explorer Scouts.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen would hear a number of speeches at the lunchtime canapes reception for 650 guests, including family, friends, foreign royals, dignitaries and charity workers. She will see the bride and groom cutting their lavish multi-tiered wedding cake. A message from the royal couple in the souvenir programme says: '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.
