Whisked away by helicopter... but Wills's back to work on Tuesday

By IAN GALLAGHER

Newly-weds: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk hand in hand from Buckingham Palace as they prepare to board a helicopter to fly off on their honeymoon


Honeymoon postponed to a later date

Couple staying in an undisclosed location in Britain, possibly Scotland

The Middletons return to their quiet country home in Berkshire


She awoke at Buckingham Palace a Princess, the first day of a new life that must have once been impossible to contemplate.


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk hand in hand after a lavish bash for 300 people on Friday night


After a light breakfast, the new Duchess of Cambridge emerged from the garden entrance of the Queen’s official residence still on a high, and still wearing the joyous smile that bewitched billions on Friday.

The couple are thought to have spent their first night as man and wife in the ground-floor Belgian Suite of the Palace, which is traditionally reserved for visiting heads of state.


Day of joy: The newly-weds thanked Buckingham Palace footmen and spoke briefly to the pilot before boarding the helicopter


As they strolled hand-in-hand along a gravel path and out on to the lawn, they were bathed in bright sunshine.

Wearing a light blue dress, dark jacket and platform shoes, the same ones she wore at the Goring Hotel on her last night as a commoner, Kate giggled at Prince William’s asides and looked relaxed and confident.

They had wanted a people’s wedding, with limited pomp, and in keeping with that unfussy spirit William announced his intention to go straight back to work.


Taking flight: The Queen's helicopter, a maroon Sikorsky with its own crest, takes the Royal couple from Buckingham Palace to a secret location to 'unwind'


It came as a surprise. Sources had previously indicated that the couple would jet off immediately for a two-week break, somewhere ‘hot and sunny’

But postponing the honeymoon to a later date, William, who wore his trademark chinos, light blue shirt and navy jacket, will now return to his job as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot on Anglesey, probably as early as Tuesday.

Saturday night, however, the couple were staying at an undisclosed location in Britain, possibly Scotland, where they planned to ‘unwind’ over the long weekend.


Maid of honour Pippa Middleton, brother James and their mother Carole emerge from the Goring Hotel on Saturday after Friday night's wedding celebration


Shortly after the happy couple left the Palace, Kate’s family checked out of the exclusive Goring Hotel nearby, posing briefly for photographs in their casual clothes.

Kate’s father Michael told the gathered crowd: ‘We had a wonderful time.’

The family then returned to their quiet country home in Chapel Row, near Bucklebury, Berkshire. The village has been bedecked with Union Jacks and bunting as the residents held their own wedding festivities.


Party's over: The scaffolding is removed from the Goring Hotel, central London after the Middleton's departed on Saturday afternoon


Memorial: Kate's wedding bouquet was returned to lie on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Westminster Abbey - a tradition for all Royal brides


Busy day at the Abbey: Tourists flock to Westminster Abbey on Saturday where the trees are still in place after the Royal Wedding on Friday


Clear-up: Cleaners sweep up rubbish left behind outside Buckingham Palace on Saturday after Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, celebrated their marriage on Friday


Sleepy: Guests leave the Buckingham Palace party. The guests started to depart at 11pm on Friday and the last left at 3am on Saturday

source: dailymail