AS hundreds of thousands of people packed into London for the big day, local people in the capital had their own stories to tell.

Dan Smith from Charminster with his wife Sharon had bagged a great vantage point outside Westminster Abbey, after camping out on the corner of Parliament Square for the night.

The 28-year-old wedding photographer said: “It sounds really tacky, but I’ve been waiting all my life for this. I love all the pageantry.

“It was absolutely amazing. We saw William and Kate go in separately at the beginning and then we saw them go past in the carriage. Really incredible.

“With any luck, I’ll get two coronations in as well. My mum was a staunch anti-Royalist. I rebelled. I love it all. It’s what makes our country our country. We should be proud of our traditions and heritage.”

Dan spotted a host of celebrities going in to the Abbey through the guest entrance, including David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and Boris Johnson.

“It was well worth the trip,” he added.

Bournemouth University PR student Emily Harris, 19, was outside Clarence House with her mum Nicky by 8.30am and saw William and Harry, the Queen and Prince Philip and Charles and Camilla.

“The atmosphere was great and everyone was very happy and cheering every time someone came out. It was just a fantastic occasion.”

She added: “We live in Victoria so we rushed home to catch the service on the television. Kate looked absolutely stunning. I thought William looked a bit nervous but it was so lovely when he told her she looked beautiful at the altar.”

Sarah Burgess, 21, of Ringwood, a supervisor in a fashion retail chain watched the service in Hyde Park on the big screen and then went to the Mall for the flypast of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane.

“It was awesome in the park. Everyone was cheering before and afterwards, but during the service the crowd was very quiet, listening intently to the ceremony. The park was a sea of red, white and blue.

“The Mall was absolutely jampacked and to see the planes overhead was wonderful. It was a great day out and something I’ll never forget. A once in a lifetime experience. I am so glad I went.”

Christina Laukenmann, 25, a financial advisor from Stuttgart has been staying in Bournemouth for the last three months while studying English. She went to London especially for the wedding and to meet a friend who had travelled over from Germany for the event.

“I stood by Clarence House and managed to get in the front row. I saw Prince Harry and Prince William in the car and I saw all the Royal family leave for the wedding.

“I then went to Buckingham Palace and managed to get a good spot to see the Royal family on the balcony.

“It was a very nice, special day and Kate looked really good.”

“In Germany we have no Royal Family, so it’s very nice for me.