PROCESSION TO STIFTSGARDEN

Just after 17:00 Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn, just married, left the Nidaros Cathedral. Outside they were cheered by more than 45.000 people - among them several girls dressed as princesses complete with crowns and people in colourful bunads (national costume) - waving flags. They weren't disappointed, as soon Princess Märtha Louise kissed her prince, Ari Behn, outside the cathedral. Afterwards they led a procession of wedding guests over the 651 metres long carpet through the streets of Trondheim to the wedding reception at Stiftsgården. The procession gave the tens of thousands of people assembled along the route a unique chance to see royalty from all over Europe up close and personal. The couple was followed by the brides children, maid of honour and best man, then by King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon - Crown Princess Mette-Marit had to ride back to the reception because she's still nursing a broken ankle - and the groom's parents. They were followed by a long line of royalty starting with Princess Ragnhild Mrs Lorentzen and Princess Astrid Mrs Ferner with their husbands. Then came Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden with Princess Madeleine and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, the Prince of Asturias, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, other royals, Norway's prime minister and government officials. All seemed to enjoy it as they smiled and waved all the way. Bands and choirs played and sang along the route, starting with the 'Bruremarsj', written by Brazz Brothers frontman Jan Magne Førdes, that was played for the newlyweds.

At the end of the procession Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn appeared on the balcony of Stiftsgården and kissed again before going inside. Even the weather cooperated. Brilliant sunshine all week in Trondheim gave way to overcast skies on Friday, but the rain held off until all the guests were inside for the wedding reception. Just as the bridal couple went inside Stiftsgården, the first few drops of rain fell.