Beneath the famous balcony thousands of cheering well-wishers watched as Prince William and his new bride The Duchess of Cambridge finally kissed. Kate giggled afterwards while William smiled broadly.
Like Prince Charles and Diana before them, the romantic gesture will become one of the defining images of their wedding day - and both will be acutely aware of its significance.
Body language expert Peter Collett, author of The Book Of Tells, said the body language of William and Catherine was diametrically opposed to that of Charles and Diana 30 years ago. And their loving gestures towards one another signals that theirs will be a long and happy union.
At last! Prince William and his new bride Catherine seal their love with a kiss on the Palace balcony
All smiles: Prince William and Kate kissed twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace - to the delight of the gathered crowds
'Today, we see a completely different picture with both William and Kate regally composed and obviously enjoying the occasion - William uncharacteristically totally confident and the couple completely into each other.
'When they made their vows, they looked into each other's eyes, and they were other touching moments during the rendition from the choir when they showed some wonderful examples of synchronicity with Kate glancing at William and William sensing this and looking lovingly back.'
The kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace was the first time William and Kate had kissed in public.
The fleeting embrace sent the already ecstatic crowds wild, and was repeated during the flypast.
After more than five minutes of waving to the crowds, the couple walked hand in hand back through the doors of the palace.
Earlier, stepping on to the balcony, Kate appeared to gasp 'Oh my' as the royal couple saw the thousands of well-wishers lining the Mall before being joined by members of their family.
When the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer married on July 29, 1981, their kiss became one of the most enduring images in royal history.
Their break from formality and royal protocol came in direct response to clamours from the expectant crowds below.
At the time, Charles was reported to have said to Diana: 'I am not going to do that caper. They are trying to get us to kiss.' Then she responded: 'Well, how about it?'
Flashback: Prince William and Kate strike a similar pose to Prince Charles and Princess Diana's kiss on the balcony in 1981
Relaxed: Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and his bride Sarah Ferguson taunt the crowd before their rather unconventional kiss after their wedding in 1986
But as the young princess arched gracefully backwards, her veil flowing behind her in a fairytale pose, her husband appeared rather less at ease, creating a slightly stilted embrace.
Five years later, the Duke and Duchess of York followed in their footsteps, appearing to relish their wedding day 'balcony moment'. They taunted the cheering crowd, cupping their ears and leaning over as if being unable to hear the chants of the well-wishers below.
'When they kissed, it was with a sense of fun, they were giggling and smiling at each other and it appeared much sexier,' body language expert Judi James said. 'It was not the chaste kiss of Charles and Diana.'
Formal: There was no kiss on the balcony in 1947 when Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married
The Duke and Duchess of York - later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother - on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding in 1923
Earlier today there were cheers from the crowd as the famous Buckingham Palace balcony, where William and Kate were due to appear after the service for their first kiss in public, was decorated with a crimson drape lined with yellow edging.
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