Royal seal of approval as couple tie the knot

A NEWLY-WED couple have spoken of their delight after the Royal seal of approval was given to their marriage.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met the pair just after they tied the knot yesterday.

During a visit to Manchester Town Hall, the Royals were introduced to John and Frances Canning, of Prestwich, Greater Manchester, who had booked the venue months ago.

But rather than switching the ceremony date to accommodate the Diamond Jubilee visit, the couple decided to go ahead with their big day.

And to top off a day to remember, the Queen featured in their wedding photographs.

The bride, 44, said: “The Queen spoke to us by our first names. She said I looked lovely and she wanted to wish us all the best for the future.”

Her husband added that he spoke to Prince Philip as photographs were being taken. “He was a charming fella – for me it was the icing on the cake,” he said.

Mr Canning, 48, jokingly wrote to Buckingham Palace to invite the Queen to the wedding, but received a reply declining the offer.

During her day in Manchester and Salford the Queen visited four hospitals and toured the BBC’s new headquarters at MediaCityUK.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, visited the world’s only surviving 17th century ship yesterday. Admiring the Vasa warship, which sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1628, she told King Carl XVI Gustaf: “It’s pretty impressive. It’s unbelievable.

“It is very nice. Perhaps we could borrow it for the jubilee pageant. It would be very nice going down the Thames.”

The Vasa, now housed in a custom-built museum, was salvaged in 1961.

Thirty people died when it sank after filling up with water after sailing just 1200 metres down the harbour.

More than a million people visit the tourist attraction in the centre of Stockholm each year – but most are not allowed on board.

The Royal party was given permission to take a closer look and took a keen interest as museum staff gave them a guided tour.

The couple wore white coats for a visit to the Salta Kvarn mill and bakery in Jarna after leaving the museum.

They put on hats while being shown inside the building, with Queen Silvia protecting her hair with a hairnet. The headgear seemed to give Camilla the giggles, as did tasting some of the sourdough.