Mike Tindall and Zara Philips are husband and wife

Mike Tindall and Zara Philips

Mike Tindall and Zara Philips's wedding was a private affair, nevertheless, since it was a royal wedding, many well-wishers had gathered outside of Canongate Kirk yesterday, to catch a glimpse of the wedding party. Mike and Zara did not disappoint the well-wishers, when they came out of the church as husband and wife, after a 45-minute ceremony, they recreated their own 'balcony-scene-kiss-minus-the-balcony'. The crowd was delighted. After the ceremony the wedding party headed to Holyroodhouse for the evening reception.

Reverend Neil Gardener wed the couple in the 17th century Canongate Kirk, the official kirk of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Zara with father Mark Philips © AP

Zara wore an ivory dress by Edinburgh-trained designer Stewart Parvin, a favourite designer of Queen Elizabeth. The gown had a chevron pleated bodice, that ended in inverted pleats on a dropped waist, thus creating a bell-shaped silhouette. It included a concealed structured corset, a short train and silk tulle straps that fell into a V-shape at the back. She wore it with a silk veil and The Meander Tiara, lent to Zara by her mother Princess Anne.The bridesmaids wore ivory dresses, the youngest bridesmaids' dresses had tulle skirts. The maid of honour wore a dove grey dress.

Zara arrived with her father, Captain Mark Philips, by car. He got out of the car first and opened the car door for his daughter. As they walked to the church, Zara briefly turned around and waved at the crowd. Then Zara and her father were greeted by Reverend Neil Gardner and went inside the 17th century church. Zara's elder brother Peter was an usher and greeted guests by the entrance of the Kirk.

Mike looked dapper in a black jacket, grey pinstriped trousers, a grey waistcoat, white shirt and grey tie. Mike seemed completely relaxed and smiled and waved at the photographers and the crowd.

The Earl and Countess of Strathearn

Among the first guests to arrive was Zara's mother, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were also in attendance, as well as Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Duchess Catherine of Cambridge. The Earl and Countess of Strathearn, William and Kate's Scottish titles, looked wonderful. Kate wore a beautiful champagne-coloured embroidered coat over her dress, that was gorgeous enough to keep on all night. She paired the dress and coat with nude pumps and a hat with floral detail.

After the ceremony Zara and Mike posed for photographers outside the church, whilst the crowd cheered.


The reception took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official Scottish home. It is expected that best man Iain Balshaw has given his best man's speech there. Mike and Iain are both rugby players, having played together for the Gloucester and England team.

Zara is thought to be setting a royal precedent by not taking her husband's last name. Brides of the royal family have always taken the surnames of their spouses, be they royal or not. According to the Daily Mail  Zara is keeping her own surname based on the fact that "she wants to preserve her sporting persona and her business interests."

Mike Tindall's wedding party