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Wedding fever: excited Luxembourg residents wait for celebrations to start

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The town is full of posters, postcards and boards showing the smiling engagement photo of Crown Prince Guillaume and his Belgian fiancée, Countess Stephanie de Lannoy. Flags in red, blue and white fly outside the cathedral and the town hall, and shop windows are packed with wedding memorabilia.

Luxembourg and its excited residents are ready for the event of the decade – the royal wedding of their heir to the throne. And they're not the only ones who are interested in the couple's nuptials - 120 international media organisations have requested accreditation.

The guest list features royals from around the globe, including Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel, Prince Frederik and Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Felipe and Letizia of Spain.

Meanwhile, the Earl and Countess of Wessex are flying the flag for the UK. Proceedings kicked off on Friday at 11am with a champagne reception hosted by the nearlyweds for people with the same birthdays as them. Then the civil ceremony will follow at 3.30pm.

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The main event will be the religious wedding ceremony, which takes place on Saturday at 11am at Our Lady of Luxembourg Cathedral. Close friend of the royal family, Pierre Dillenburg, who used to be the secretary general of the parliament, says the couple hope to be able to forget all the pomp and ceremony and just enjoy the moment.

"Crown Prince Guillaume told me that during the ceremony he will try to forget all the cameras around him and they will just look into each other's eyes as they make their vows," he told the BBC." I met the couple just a few days ago and they are excited like all young couples are before their wedding," he adds.

Wedding Program of Countess Stephanie de Lannoy and Prince Guillaume

Friday October 19

  • 11.00am Reception at the Luxembourg's Grand TheatreHosted by the Government of Luxembourg in honour of Prince Guillaume and Countess Stephanie de Lannoy. Guests include local young people and representatives of some of the country's organisations and movements.
  • 3.30pm Civil ceremony at the Town Hall, Place Guillaume IIAttended by the families of Guillaume and Countess Stephanie and the Mayor of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker and other guests. Procession of the bridal party to the Grand Ducal Palace.
  • 8.00pm Gala Dinner at the Grand Ducal Palace. Prince Guillaume and the new Princess Stephanie will celebrate their civil marriage with their families and representatives of reigning and non-reigning monarchs, including Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia and the Earl and Countess of Wessex. They will be joined by official dignitaries and other invitees.

Saturday October 20

  • 11:00am Religious ceremony in the Cathedral of Our lady of LuxembourgThe royal couple will take their vows in a religious ceremony attended by their families, royal guests, official dignitaries and other guests. The public can watch on giant screens around the city.
  • 1.00pm Balcony appearance at the Grand Ducal PalaceThe newlyweds and their families will appear on the balcony to receive congratulations from the people of Luxembourg.ReceptionThe royal couple will celebrate their marriage with a traditional wedding banquet in the Ducal Palace attended by their families, royal guests, official dignitaries and other guests.
  • 6.00pm Musical entertainment starts throughout the city
  • 8:20pm Firework display from the Trois Glands site. The newlyweds will join offical figures and dignitaries in watching the display, which will be accompanied by music.
  • 8:45pm Free music concert at Place Guillaume II