Glimpses of the London scene on RWD (Royal Wedding Day)

These three old friends sat quietly in St. James' Park listening to the Westminster Abbey service, which came booming over the speakers. At right, Margaret Nicol, of Essex, Margaret Knox, of Dagenham and Maria Lunnon of Essex. They were very pleased to be there, but annoyed that other people in the park were talking over the sounds of the ceremony.  But on this park bench, "We've got the best seat in the house," said Mrs. Nicol.

Left: Maeve Gately, 21, of Baltimore, and Lauren Magaziner, 21, of New Hope, Pa., pose in their wedding hats (Ms. Magaziner is wearing a "fascinator" -- the type of headgear favored by Kate Middleton -- oh, excuse me, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge). They're both students at Hamilton College in New York, studying abroad.

Right: A glimpse of the tight security here.  Thousands of people snaked behind barricades, although you'd never know it looking at this empty street behind Westminster Abbey.

Left: Tim Mangerhman, 31, of Ohio, poses with his friends, Jeannette and Jason Tate of Wembley, and Marian Bradbury, 63, also of Wembley.  They got up at 2 a.m. to get here.  "We're British," said Ms. Tate, "and we have more royal fun than you do in the States."