Saturday, March 3, 2012

William and Kate Join The Queen at the Paralympic Opening Ceremony

William and Kate joined the Queen, Princess Anne,  Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex at the Olympic Stadium tonight for the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony


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Prince Edward is patron of the British Paralympic Association and was seated next to the Queen.


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Film Director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) headed the team behind the ceremony. Called 'Englightenment', the programme celebrated the inclusivity of the Paralympics. Over 3,000 volunteers, rehabilitating soldiers and children took part. Over 2.5 million tickets were sold for the event.




William and Kate attended a reception ahead of the ceremony.



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Kate met with volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly over the past number of weeks.


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A panoramic view of the ceremony before it got under way.


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'Aerobility', a British charity that trains disable people to become pilots, flew over the Olympic Stadium.


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William and Kate were seated next to Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha.


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There was an introduction by Stephen Hawking, a British theoretical physicist and author. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 21. Stephen's determination and courage has inspired people all around the world.




 During the introduction Stephen said


'Look up at the stars, and not down on your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder what makes the universe exist. Be curious'.


Performers fly in with umbrellas.



A sea of umbrellas creates an image of the Union Flag.


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In tribute to Sir Isaac Newton and his theories of gravity, a large mechanical apple was brought into the stadium.


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Around 18,000 LED lights were used in the performers' hat brims.


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Wheelchair tennis player Peter Norfolk carried the British flag during the ceremony.


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Kate chose to recycle for the event choosing the pale gold coat by Day by Birger/ Mikkelsen,  she wore to Zara Philips and Mike Tindall's wedding last year, Mel Nicholson's 2010 wedding and to the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles. Again Kate obviously wanted the attention firmly on the athletes and not her sartorial choices hence recycling a piece that has been seen three times before.




A closer look at the coat.





Kate wore her favourite LK Bennett Sledge Pumps.


LK Bennett

Kate carried her Wilbur and Gussie gold envelope clutch.



Wilbur and Gussie

It was a wonderful ceremony and I'm delighted to see the Paralympic Games getting the attention it receives. What did you all think of the ceremony? See you all tomorrow :)

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