Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips weds rugby player in Scotland

By the CNN Wire Staff
UPDATED: 01:58 PM EDT 07.30.11

Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, married England rugby player Mike Tindall in a ceremony in the Scottish capital Edinburgh on Saturday.

In contrast to the wedding of her cousin Prince William to Catherine Middleton -- watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world -- Phillips' wedding was a strictly private affair.

But large crowds still gathered in Edinburgh to watch the arrival of the Royal Family at Canongate Kirk.

The bride arrived a few minutes late in an ivory silk gown with a short train by designer Stewart Parvin, a favorite of the Queen. She wore a silk veil and a tiara lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne.

The Queen, dressed in a salmon pink outfit, and Prince Phillip were greeted by cheers from the crowd, as were Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, whose own wedding was only three months ago, arrived at the church with Prince Harry.

The ceremony in the kirk, or church, on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, was followed by a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official Scottish home.

The couple appeared relaxed when they arrived at the kirk for a rehearsal Friday afternoon, the Press Association said.

That was followed by a black-tie party on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, moored in Leith, Edinburgh, which was also attended by William, Catherine and Prince Harry.

Zara Phillips, 30, is the daughter of Princess Anne and Capt. Mark Phillips and is one of the country's leading equestrians. She has also done work on behalf of equine and children's charities.

She is to keep her surname after her marriage, the Press Association reported.

The couple, who have been together for seven years, announced their engagement last December.

Tindall, who has captained the England rugby side, was a member of the 2003 England World Cup Rugby winning squad. He also leads his club side, Gloucester.

Many of his rugby-playing friends are expected to attend the wedding.

The second child of Queen Elizabeth's daughter Princess Anne, Zara Phillips is a first cousin of Princes William and Harry.

A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace declined to give details of the wedding to CNN, saying it was a private family affair.

From CNN.com