Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz's Wedding

Who: Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz

When: May 22, 2004

Where: The Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain

The Ceremony: Huddled en masse beneath a sea of umbrellas, the denizens of Madrid refused to let a torrential rainfall deter them from witnessing Spain's future queen as she emerged from the black Rolls-Royce and entered Almudena Cathedral. The thunder outside was drowned out by the mingled voices of an angelic seventy-member choir as over 1,400 guests, including such dignitaries as former South African President Nelson Mandela, Jordan's Queen Rania, and Prince Charles of England, watched the former TV presenter make her way down the aisle, past the multitude of white roses and chrysanthemums brought in for the occasion, toward her intended, who bestowed a kiss on her cheek before the Catholic ceremony commenced. During the service, as is the custom, the bride and groom exchanged thirteen gold coins as a symbolic gesture that they would share their worldly goods.

The gown:  Working for over half a year, famed fashion designer Manuel Pertegaz, who has clothed such American icons as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Audrey Hepburn, created an ivory-colored gown applauded for its overall refinement.  Small theatrical touches were added with a 15-foot-long train and flared collar and cuffs, which were embroidered with heraldic symbols. The future queen donned a platinum and diamond tiara worn at the nuptials of the groom's mother, Queen Sophia. The groom wore a dark blue military uniform.

After The Ceremony: The peal of bells echoed throughout the city as the newly wed couple exited the cathedral. Over 15,000 geraniums and tulips lined the path taken by the vintage 1948 Rolls Royce Phantom IV as the pair were driven through the streets to greet their public.  Like so many Spanish brides before her, Letizia Ortiz offered her bouquet to the statue of the Virgin Mary which watches over the Basilica of Antocha. Along the route the couple were serenaded in a variety of musical styles, ranging from flamenco to a bagpipe band, which greeted them upon their arrival at the palace, where the groom again kissed his bride on the cheek just as the sun peered through the clouds.

The Honeymoon: The future sovereigns began their life together as man and wife with a tour of the Spanish countryside, where the duo were spotted taking souvenier snapshots in the towns of Cuenca, Albarracin and Zaragoza. Reliving their own recent memories, the newlyweds next travelled to Jordan to attend the nuptials of Prince Hamzah and Princess Noor before jetting away to parts unknown for private time together.

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