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Hope you won't wear black on April 29, Kate... and a few hearty meals might fill out your wedding dress

By Katie Nicholl
Created: 18:34 EST, 8 January 2011

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If Prince William and Kate Middleton wanted a dress rehearsal for their royal wedding, yesterday was the perfect opportunity.

The couple attended the nuptials of friends Harry Aubrey-Fletcher and Louise Stourton – and, unusually for a wedding, Kate was dressed in black.

Beneath a tailored velvet dress coat by Libelula, she wore an elegant above-the-knee dress with a sheer neckline tapering to a silver clasp, an outfit completed by a black pillbox hat with an intricate fascinator, plum-coloured shoes and matching clutch bag.

Flying solo: Kate Middleton arrives for the wedding of the Honourable Sarah Louise Stourton and Harry Aubrey-Fletcher at St Andrew's Church in Aldborough, North Yorkshire

Kate Middleton arrives for the wedding of Sarah Stourton and Harry Aubrey-Fletcher in Aldborough, Yorkshire

It's a cold day for a white wedding: Kate chats to a fellow guest as they hurry inside St Andrew's Church

It's a cold day for a white wedding: Kate and her protection officer hurry inside St Andrew's Church

She also looked thinner than usual; like most brides-to-be, she is no doubt keen to look slim for the wedding photos – especially when those images will be seen by billions.

The stress of planning a wedding on such a huge scale as her April 29 affair may also have had an effect.

William, who was an usher, arrived at Aldborough Parish Church in Boroughbridge, West Yorkshire, at 1pm.

Prince Harry arrived at 3pm, chatting with pals about England’s Ashes victory. Princess Beatrice was also there.

Chic: Princess Beatrice looked sleek in a blue coat and matching shoes and fascinator, while her boyfriend Dave Clark looked dapper in his tie and tails

Chic: Princess Beatrice looked extremely svelte as she arrived with boyfriend Dave Clark

Here comes the bride: The Honourable Sarah Louise Stourton arrives at the church with her coat-clad bridesmaids and her father, Edward William Stephen Stourton, the 24th Baron Stourton, 28th Baron Segrave, 27th Baron Mowbray

Here comes the bride: Sarah Stourton arriving at the church with her coat-clad bridesmaids

The bride wore a cloak to keep warm. William, right, was an usher for the ceremony

The main wedding party arrived in a vintage bus, but Kate came in a chauffeur-driven Range Rover, with more security than the two female personal protection officers who normally accompany her.

While most of the 200 guests had mulled wine at the church before the service, William took Harry, the groom and ushers to the village pub.

Brian Rey, landlord of The Ship Inn, said: ‘Both of the Princes came in. William had cottage pie of all things. I can’t remember what Harry ate but he had a pint of cider.’

After the ceremony Kate and Bea took the bus to the reception at Castle Allerton.

Hanging out with the future sister-in-law: Prince Harry joined Miss Middleton at the ceremony

Prince Harry was also at the high-society wedding. Right, Kate Middleton wore a Libelula velvet jacket

Both Princes left in Audi A5s, William saying: ‘It’s not my wedding yet.’

Kate and William stayed overnight before heading home to celebrate Kate’s 29th birthday today.

The groom, one of William’s oldest friends, is the youngest son of Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, 8th Baronet and Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.

He was at Ludgrove prep school and Eton with the Prince.

His bride is from one of Britain’s most aristocratic families.

She is the eldest daughter of Edward Stourton, the 24th Baron Stourton, 28th Baron Segrave, 27th Baron Mowbray. He is also the cousin of former Radio 4 Today presenter Ed Stourton – proving the ‘Posh Ed’ nickname he had at the BBC was well-deserved.