Glamourous: Kate Middleton's sister Pippa, left, and Prince Harry's girlfriend Chelsey Davy, right, were among the guests at the wedding of Lady Katie Percy
Kate Middleton's sister Pippa and Chelsey Davy were among the guests at a fairytale aristocratic wedding in the castle used in the Harry Potter films.
Lady Katie Percy, daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, married City financier Patrick Valentine, followed by a reception at her family's Alnwick Castle, which doubles as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.
She travelled the short distance down Bailiffgate, Alnwick, in Northumberland, from the castle to St Michael's Parish Church in a restored horse-drawn carriage.
Pippa Middleton, who wore a fetching pink and black outfit, was followed by Chelsea Davey, who has been dating Prince Harry.
Happy: Lady Katie Percy, left is the daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, right
Speculation that his brother William, and Kate Middleton - who are friends of Lady Percy - were due to attend meant there were around 20 photographers waiting outside. But there was no sign of the couple who will marry in nine weeks' time.
Fairytale: Lady Katie wore a beautiful Bruce Oldfield dress and was accompanied by her father in a carriage drawn by two white horses
Lady Katie, a 28-year-old former motorcycle mechanic and gunmaker, wore a beautiful Bruce Oldfield dress and was accompanied by her father in the carriage, which was drawn by two white horses.
Well-wishers who lined the route cheered as she arrived at the church.
Jane Wood, who taught Lady Katie and her siblings at prep school in Alnmouth, said: 'It's lovely to see them all grown up, going their own way and doing their own thing.'
Stand out: Miss Middleton wore a fuchsia fascinator to match her dress while Miss Davy wore a similarly striking blue dress and black feathered fascinator
Picturesque: The reception was held at her family's Alnwick Castle, which doubles as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films
One wedding guest, having a pre-service whisky in the Oddfellows Arms, said the groom had been fishing this morning.
The guest, from Oxfordshire, said: 'He caught two salmon. They might be served at the banquet tonight.'
Happy returns: Couple went back to St Andrews two months before the Royal Wedding
After their eyes first met at St Andrews University almost a decade ago, Prince William and Kate returned to where their fairytale romance began today.
The couple braved the blustery Scottish weather which will be familiar to them from their student days as they launched the university's 600th anniversary celebrations.
Miss Middleton was dressed in a red suit with a black velvet belt and black leather gloves while William was wearing a dark blue suit.
Well-wishers waited patiently against crash barriers in the rain this morning as they tried to get the best view of the Royal couple.
Today the university announced they are creating a scholarship in their honour as a wedding gift which they were presenting to the couple.
The campus had been abuzz since the trip was announced last week. The 28-year-old Prince and his 29-year-old fiancee, who became engaged in October while on holiday in Kenya, emerged from their Range Rover to be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Fife, Margaret Dean.
Radiant: Kate was wearing a dazzling red outfit while William was in a blue suit as they were led round the university by Sir Menzies Campbell
It was the first time the Prince had returned to the university since his graduation six years ago and he spoke movingly during a his short speech about the four years he spent there.
Launching the anniversary celebrations from the university's quadrangle, the ancient heart of the institution where 16th century buildings surround a small grass-covered square, he addressed 600 students and staff who had won their seats by ballot.
As the Prince and Miss Middleton arrived, their way was led by six mace bearers and he was introduced by former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, the university's Chancellor.
Events marking the milestone will be spread over three years as teaching began at the institution in 1410, chartered status was granted a year later and the university was formally constituted by a series of papal bulls issued by Pope Benedict XIII in 1413.
Knowing glance: Royal couple gaze at each other as they listen to speeches at their university
William said: 'This is a very special moment for Catherine and me, it feels like coming home.
'Despite being one of Europe's leading research institutions, the third-oldest university in the English speaking world, and of course far and away the best university in the world, St Andrews still has that uncanny knack of feeling like home and so it must have done for generations of undergraduates before us.'
Dr John Walden, a senior lecturer in geography who taught the Prince said: 'It's just a fabulous coup for the university to have them back here to promote the 600th anniversary celebrations.'
Recalling William's time as a student, he said: 'He was fabulous. He made life very easy for us. He tried as hard as he could to experience a normal student programme.
'He did a very good job of that. I'm amazed that he managed to stay focused with all the obvious attention. He managed to stay focused for four years and keep his head down and get some work done.'
Relaxed: Kate Middleton flashed a wide smile as she returned to the 600-year-old university today
The special scholarship created in the name of William and Kate has been given as a wedding gift.
It will have a value of up to £70,000 to meet the costs of tuition, if payable, accommodation and living expenses for a four-year undergraduate degree in science, arts, medicine or divinity.
Applicants of all nationalities will be able to apply for the award which will be given annually to a student who would otherwise have been unable to attend St Andrews.
Professor Louise Richardson, the university's principal and vice-chancellor, said: 'This will be the first scholarship of its kind at St Andrews and a reflection of this university's commitment to ensure that we find, attract and support the most gifted students from anywhere in the world.
'It will guarantee that a high quality Scottish higher education can be available to any citizen of the world, that a lack of means need not be a barrier to study, and that bright students who might otherwise have been unable to go to university can fulfil their potential.’
William graduated with a 2:1 in geography from St Andrews in 2005 and Kate got the same classification in history of art.
The Prince and his fiancee began dating while sharing a house in the picturesque seaside town in Fife, and almost 10 years later will wed at Westminster Abbey on April 29 as the world watches.
Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton sit with the Lord Lieutenant of the University, Menzies Campbell, during their visit
Hundreds of well-wishers gathered by the steel barriers hoping to catch a glimpse of William and Kate
The official visit was William's first in his role as patron of the 600th Anniversary Appeal, which will have a large focus on generating new funds for scholarships.
Joyce Robertson, 60, a retired nurse, who was waiting patiently with a friend, said: 'I've come to see William and Kate because I love the royal family - I think they will be a wonderful asset to the monarchy.'
Standing a few feet away was postgraduate student Jessica Volz, 24, who is studying for a Phd in English at St Andrews University.
Graduation: Kate Middleton and Prince William as they collected their degrees in June 2005
Royal return: The couple shared a house together as undergraduates before they graduated in June 2005
Miss Volz, from Denver in Colorado, the U.S., said: 'I just live right down the street so its very convenient but I don't mind getting wet.
'I've always been interested in the British history and right now's an interesting time for the monarchy.
'I really do admire William and Kate, especially their strong commitment to supporting charity.'
Yesterday Kate Middleton stepped out on her first official engagement - the launch of a humble inflatable lifeboat in Anglesey.
The bride-to-be, with a dazzling smile, quickly charmed the crowd of more than 1,000 people and bent to speak to the youngest, drawing flattering comparisons with Princess Diana.
As well as her restyled coat, it was Miss Middleton's striking velvet fascinator - with a spray of pheasant feathers - which drew the attention of onlookers yesterday.
It was designed for the 29-year-old by Vivien Sheriff Millinery, a small company based in rural Wiltshire which makes all of its hats by hand.
All smiles: Kate waves to the crowd as the Royal couple arrive at Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
Smiling and waving for the crowds, Kate Middleton performed adeptly on her first official appearance
IT wasn’t exactly an event on the scale of a royal wedding, and as walkabouts go, probably not too testing either.
Even the boat she launched was a humble inflatable – hardly the Ark Royal.
But for a certain Miss Catherine Middleton, yesterday was a crucially important milestone in the life of a princess in waiting.
With a dazzling smile (and a craftily cut-down herringbone overcoat) she launched herself on the royal stage with the kind of confidence few might have expected from someone so new to public duty.
Why, she even looked as if she was enjoying it.
Royal role: Kate Middleton, right, greets children as Princess Diana did. Left the Princess of Wales meets Bosnian children in 1997
This was Kate’s first official public engagement alongside Prince William and their formal debut in Anglesey, where they will make their home.
And after naming a lifeboat that she christened with champagne, the Prince, perhaps appropriately, threw her in at the metaphorical deep end.
But within seconds, she appeared to have charmed a crowd of more than 1,000 people, who had been waiting hours in a cold and blustery wind for a glimpse of the couple – and, in particular, for a peek at the bride-to-be.
Support from the Prince: Kate performed admirably on her first Royal appointment
Praise: Kate Middleton looked every inch a Royal as Prince William addressed the crowd at the Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station
THE £16,000 DINGHY LAUNCHED BY KATE AND WILLS The 25ft-long Hereford Endeavour launched by Kate and Wills costs £160,000 and is one of the RNLI’s most advanced craft, with a tough carbon-fibre hull and capable of 35 knots – 40 mph.
Carrying four crew and with room for 20 survivors, it has special engines that work even after a capsize.
Stunning: Kate's chocolate-brown bespoke headpiece was handcrafted by Salisbury-based Vivien Sheriff. Designed this year, it is decorated with feathers and military button
Big smile: 2,000 people turned up for the launch of the lifeboat and to see the Royal couple
Blustery: Kate Middleton had to brave strong winds and grey skies as she visited the North Wales RNLI base but, right, she sang the Welsh national anthem perfectly
Kate prepares to douse the bow of the new Hereford Endeavour with champagne as William watches on
Prince William applauds as Kate Middleton pours champagne over the new lifeboat. The bottle was not smashed, as is tradition, because the vessel is inflatable
Regal: Kate Middleton looked elegant on her first official visit
A young girl is held back by her mother as Prince William and Kate Middleton greet the crowds
Squinting possum: Heidi's pronounced squint doesn't prevent her from leading a full life...and she has hidden talents
A cross-eyed possum in Germany is predicting this years Oscar winners.
Following in the footsteps of Paul the octopus, who predicted the World Cup results, Heidi the possum is giving her tips for the Academy Awards.
Heidi the cute marsupial gives her tips for the Academy Awards by sniffing and touching the fake Oscar statuettes, complete with squinty eyed actors pinned to each one
Each day the cute marsupial is being released in a pen, where she comes face to face with a row of fake Oscar statuettes.
Whichever statue she touches with her paw first signifies the winner in that category.
On Tuesday night, Heidi picked Black Swan star Natalie Portman to take home the Best Actress award.
The possum made Portman her chosen one after sniffing around the trophies and walking in and out of her box.
Out of the box: Here she comes for her daily walk around her pen, ready to choose the next Academy Award winner
The hilarious footage was broadcast on Jimmy Kimmel's US chat show.
A picture of each actress was taped to each statuette - complete with cross eyes to make Heidi feel at home.
Heidi, who is believed to be two-and-a-half-years-old, was abandoned outside an animal shelter in North Carolina in the United States with her sister Naira, and has been living at Leipzig Zoo in Germany since May last year.
Which one will win? Heidi's on the prowl, inspecting all the statuettes put out for her yesterday
The zoo thinks her eye condition could have been caused by her diet before she was abandoned, or because she is overweight, leading to fat deposits behind her eyes.
Heidi, who will be picking Oscar winners on Kimmel's show all week, already has thousands of followers on her Facebook page.
Her popularity is reminiscent of Knut the polar bear, who became a global star in 2007 and even featured on the front of Vanity Fair magazine.
She has also been compared to Paul the octopus, who achieved fame when he correctly predicted the outcome of matches in last year's football World Cup. Paul died from natural causes in October.
Heidi the Cross-Eyed Possum Picks the Winners - Best Actress
Off to the Abbey: David and Victoria Beckham look set to get a nice golden-embossed invitation on their doormat
David and Victoria Beckham have been invited to the royal wedding, sources indicated last night.
In a decision approved by the Queen and Prince Charles, the footballer and his wife are likely to be among the most high-profile celebrities on Prince William and Kate Middleton’s guest list of 1,900.
When the prince, who is president of the Football Association, and Beckham met in South Africa during last year’s World Cup they were said by insiders to ‘get on like a house on fire, professionally and personally’.
They also led England’s failed bid for the 2018 World Cup, while fashion designer Mrs Beckham revealed this month that she is sending a selection of dresses to the bride-to-be.
Courtiers said yesterday that the pews at Westminster Abbey will contain a ‘small number’ of A-list stars and a ‘good proportion’ of soldiers and pilots, as well as more than 1,000 friends and family and 80 charity workers to reflect the prince’s ‘fairly ordinary life’ living in North Wales and serving with the RAF.
William, 28, drew inspiration from Prince Andrew’s 1986 wedding, when he was a serving naval officer, a senior royal aide revealed – despite William failing to invite his uncle’s ex-wife and close friend Sarah Ferguson.
Getting ready for the big day: Prince William and Kate Middleton
Elegant: The Royal wedding invitation
Sticking with royal protocol, about 200 political figures – including Prime Minister David Cameron, his deputy Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband – and 100 foreign royals and dignitaries have been asked.
But American President Barack Obama and French president Nicolas Sarkozy are thought to have been omitted because the wedding is not classed as a full state occasion as William is not yet heir to the throne.
Corgi crass: 'downright silly' Corgis wearing crowns and union jacks with the slogan 'let them eat cake' are among the mementoes being sold by Kate Middleton's parents to mark the wedding.
Carole and Mike Middleton's mail order firm Party Pieces has launched a range of products apparently designed to cash in on the street parties expected to be held on April 29.
Beckham and the prince showed their closeness in Johannesburg last summer when William joked that an intruder who had got into the England players’ dressing room was actually him in a football shirt.
He then made Beckham, 35, burst out laughing by adding: ‘(Prince) Harry and I left the door open, that’s why it happened. It was our fault.’
Mrs Beckham, who is five months pregnant with the couple’s fourth child, heaped praise on Kate, 29, during a preview of her autumn/winter 2011 line at New York Fashion Week.
The former Spice Girl, 36, said: ‘Apparently, she likes my clothes and has asked to see a selection. I admire her tremendously. She’s a beautiful young girl, she has a wonderful figure and I think she wears clothes beautifully.’
The couple are thought to have been invited to the ceremony on April 29 and may also have been asked to a lunchtime buffet for 600 people hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Busy lady: A member of the Lord Chamberlain's Office inserts Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding invitations into envelopes at Buckingham Palace
A senior courtier said of William and Kate: ‘The couple have made their own decisions about who to invite, with input from the Queen and Prince of Wales.
Kate's no style queen, says Viv We don’t know who will create Kate’s wedding dress – but after some cutting words yesterday, it’s not likely to be Dame Vivienne Westwood.
The controversial 69-year-old designer appeared to suggest that the bride-to-be was not stylish enough to wear one of her outfits.
‘I would have loved to have dressed Kate Middleton but I have to wait until she kind of catches up a bit somewhere with style,’ she said.
Camilla, of course, knows all about advising princesses in waiting. Thirty years ago she sat down with a teenage Lady Diana Spencer in the run-up to her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
These days Camilla is part of the family and a vital sounding board for 29-year-old Kate as she counts down the days to her own wedding at Westminster Abbey in April.
And it was the wedding that was very much on their minds as they were joined by Kate’s sister Pippa and Camilla’s daughter Laura Lopez in Koffman’s, the new restaurant at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, opened last year by three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffman.
Future queens: Camilla and Kate were joined by Kate's sister Pippa and Camilla's daughter Laura Lopez in Koffman's, the new restaurant at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge
That they chose to meet in such a high-profile venue in one of London’s top hotels - in clear view of other diners - was intriguing when they could have dined discreetly at Clarence House or any other royal address.
Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring sparkled on Kate’s finger as excited chatter about the wedding filled the air.
A fellow diner, sitting just two tables away, tells me: ‘All four women were talking away like mad and none of the waiters could get a word in edgeways to serve their lunch. Kate looked fantastic in a very short black skirt, black opaque tights, a short jacket and boots.
‘I heard Camilla saying... “if I can give you one bit of advice...” Kate was really enjoying the moment.
‘I did hear talk of trumpets and someone said “we can’t have trumpets, the ceiling is too high’’, which may have been a reference to Westminster Abbey.’
Me and my shadow: Kate and her police protection officer. Camilla and Kate's security sat at an adjacent table while the ladies talked about the much anticipated wedding
The duchess, in a purple tweed suit and with a glass of red wine in hand, was in charge during the three-hour lunch.
In fact, I understand that Camilla, who has dined at Koffman’s before, made the reservation.
Her food writer son, Tom Parker Bowles, is a friend of the master chef.
‘They were all getting on very well and they clearly hadn’t asked for an out-of-the-way table and nor did they attempt to lower their voices,’ the diner said.
‘It was high spirits all round. Kate and Pippa were sitting on banquettes with their backs to the wall opposite Camilla and Laura.
Effortless glamour: Kate is mastering the art of simple chic. Her style is already being copied all over the world with shoppers clamouring to get their hands on copycat dresses
‘There was one moment which was clearly meant to be amusing when Kate said “what happens if William doesn’t turn up?’’ Someone else then asked “is it going to be a sit-down lunch?’’
‘They followed that with talk of menus. I heard chipolatas, sausages on sticks and mini pizzas, but I don’t know whether it was ironic or not.’
The lunch party was completed by Kate and Camilla’s police protection officers. The two gun-carrying women bodyguards sat at an adjoining table as the four women gossiped away.
Kate and William are still fine-tuning the wedding guest list. More than 1,800 invitations are due to be sent out later this month.
Happy New Year! The Beijing skyline is lit up by thousands of firework displays across the city as festivities get off to a cracking start
The Chinese New Year of the Rabbit got off to a fire-cracking start on Wednesday as these spectacular images from festivities all over the Chinese-speaking world show.
And not content with one day of celebrations, the Chinese New Year lasts for more than two weeks, coinciding with new moon on the first day and culminating with the full moon 15 days later with the Lantern Festival.
New Year is a national holiday in China and it is by far the biggest, brightest and most important celebration in their annual calender.
All together now: Thousands of worshippers gather to light joss sticks at the Xingtian Temple in Taipei as the Year of the Tiger comes to an end
The Year of the Rabbit promises to be a placid year of calm reflection following the ferocious year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese zodiac which attributes animal characteristics for each year.
According to tradition, it is also destined to be a year characterised by good taste and refinement, when people will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force.
International relations and diplomacy will be conducted with congeniality - which will be music to the ears of Western nations currently trying to cash-in on China's booming trade and increasing prominence as a super-power.
Chinese communities across the UK are set to continue the celebrations tonight. Although party-poopers in Scotland are trying to prevent revelers from releasing traditional lanterns.
Party time: Performers were celebrating with amazing displays of Kung Fu in Longtan Park in Beijing. But revelers in the UK have been asked not to light the popular Chinese lanterns are they can cause harm to livestock
Light up light up! The Singapore skyline blazed with fantastic firework displays as they ushered in the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit on the banks of the River Hongbao last night
Farming organisations say the lanterns, which are made from very fine pieces of paper held in a balloon shape by a thin metal wire or piece of bamboo, can cause serious harm to livestock if they are ingested or become entangled.
They also present a risk to dry standing crops, trees and farm buildings if they land while still alight and are calling for a blanket ban on the use of sky lanterns, as is the case in German and Lithuania.
Meanwhile, coastguards in Scotland have warned that the lanterns can be mistaken for distress flares.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said there had been a 25 per cent increase in Scotland of incidents where rescuers have been called out after the public have mistaken the colourful lanterns for distress flares.
Celebration: Performers dance for the huge crowds that gathered to see in the Chinese New year in Singapore where almost 75 per cent of the population are Chinese
Blaze of glory: Revelers on the streets cover their ears as fire crackers are set off throughout Singapore as part of the New Year celebrations
Traditions: The Chinese Year of the Rabbit signifies are year of sophistication and sensitivity. The Chinese believe that people born in the year of the rabbit are sociable and cultural people who are also reserved by nature
The colourful party lights - which hang in the air - can be almost identical to red emergency flares.
'We would appeal to people not to let off these lanterns without telling us in advance. We don't want to spoil people's fun but these lanterns can cause us a big problem,' said a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The Chinese lantern bill for just launching the lifeboats last year has been put by the RNLI at nearly £150,000. The organisation estimates that it costs £5800 each time an all-weather lifeboat is launched and £2,200 for an inshore craft. Some worried callers have also mistaken the lights for UFOs.
Many happy returns: The celebrations lasted well into the night and was very much a family occasion as Singapore put on a spectacular display to usher in the new year
Going global: Chinese residents in the Indian city of Koklata celebrated in typically colourful style, performing a dragon dance at the 'city gates'
Brisbane Street in Ipswich city centre has been partially submerged with deep flood water, meaning local residents have to use boats to get about
Death toll of 22 already worse than 1974 tragedy
Disaster could cut 1 per cent off GDP
Queensland Premier says situation is 'deeply serious'
Deadly floodwaters that have cut a swath across northeast Australia shut down the centre of Brisbane, the nation's third-largest city, today, sending thousands fleeing from their homes.
Unconfirmed reports say that at least 22 people have so far died in Australia's north-eastern state of Queensland and a further 67 remain missing from tsunami-like flash floods that tore through townships west of the city this week.
Almost 20,000 homes in Brisbane were expected to be swamped in the city of about two million by the time the Brisbane River reaches its expected peak tomorrow, Mayor Campbell Newman said.
Brisbane residents today pushed food-laden shopping carts through drowned streets, others waded in shoulder-high water to rescue possessions, while boats and pontoons were ripped from moorings in the Brisbane River and smashed into bridges as the muddy brown tide gathered strength.
At flooded intersections people paddled surfboards through floodwaters, balancing their possessions on the deck of the boards, while boats ferried evacuees to dry ground.
'I am feeling a sense of horror and awe at the power of the river. Sadly in coming hours we will see bits of people's homes float down the river,' Brisbane Mayor Campbell Newman said, warning the torrent could take three to four days to subside.
Submerged: Homes near Ipswich are swallowed up by rising water. The town's mayor described the scenes as 'heartbreaking'
Rescue crews took advantage of some rare sunshine to look for the dozens still missing, feared dead in the flood waters.
'We can take no comfort from that blue sky,' Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh told reporters.
'The water and the rain have already done their damage. This is a deeply serious natural disaster.'
The peak will arrive within the next few hours in Ipswich, a satellite town to the west.
'The water is rising and swallowing up the city. It's really heartbreaking,' said Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale.
Diversion: The Ipswich motorway, west of Brisbane, is cut off by flood water. At least 22 people have so far died in the Queensland floods
Businesses in the Brisbane suburb of Milton sit under several feet of water after the devastating floods
The trouble started after drenching rains in Australia's north-eastern state of Queensland that began in November sent swollen rivers spilling over their banks, inundating an area larger than France and Germany combined.
The crisis escalated when a violent storm sent a 26-foot, fast-moving torrent - described as an 'inland instant tsunami' - crashing through the city of Toowoomba and smaller towns to the west of Brisbane on Monday.
Some 200,000 people have already been affected by the disaster, which has caused billions of pounds of damage and is already worse than the floods that hit Brisbane in 1974, killing 14.
The biggest floods in a century have crippled the coking coal industry in the mining state, destroying infrastructure, putting a brake on the economy and sending the local currency to four-week lows.
A man rescues a kangaroo that was helplessly drifting in floodwaters near the bridge at One Mile in Ipswich
Police in the Brisbane inner city suburb of West End wade through water as they check for stranded residents
Teenagers make their way through a flooded street in the Brisbane suburb of Breakfast Creek. Thousands of residents of Australia's third-largest city have been evacuated from their homes
The overall economic impact will be devastating, with one central bank board member saying today that the disaster could cut 1 per cent off growth - equal to almost $13 billion, double the previous highest estimate.
The Australian dollar sank to a fresh four-week low of $0.9803 on the comments from Warwick McKibbin, an academic and a member of the central bank's policy-making board.
Treasurer Wayne Swan in November forecast GDP growth of 3.25 per cent in fiscal 2010-11, up from a 3.0 per cent projection, but said spending would be cut to ensure a surplus of A$3.1 billion or 0.2 per cent of GDP in 2012/13.
Food prices are surging around the country as the floods ruin Queensland crops and distribution networks. Prices for tomatoes have leapt about 200 per cent in two weeks, while beef is up 11 per cent and wheat has risen 4 per cent in four months.
Watch this space: Floodwaters stretch towards the skyscrapers of Brisbane, seen in the distance, from the outer south-western suburbs
Breaking point: The swollen Brisbane River, which is struggling to contain excess water released from local dams, is ready to burst its banks onto the central business district
Some of the scenes today in Brisbane were surreal, with early-morning joggers trying to carry on as normal, even though parts of their routes were underwater. Others were distraught.
'This is my whole life, everything is gone. I never thought it would get this bad,' said Kim Hung, manager of the Salt 'n' Pepper catering business, as two friends floated a coffee machine toward higher ground.
Raw sewage began spilling into the river and creeks, prompting authorities to warn of a heightened disease risk as damaged water treatment works polluted the floodwaters.
It has been estimated that up to 45,000 people will be affected by the floods. The military is running relief flights with helicopters and C-130 transports.
Shelter: Flood victims evacuated to the RNA Showgrounds lie down on makeshift beds. Evacuations are underway in several towns and suburbs in and around Brisbane
Dams built to protect Brisbane and outlying towns were spilling floodwaters into swollen rivers. The Port of Brisbane was closed, shutting down Australia's third-busiest container port and a 5-million-tonnes-a-year coal-loading facility.
Australia is the world's biggest exporter of coking coal, which is used in steel manufacturing and accounts for more than half of global exports, and is also the second-biggest exporter of thermal coal used for power generation.
Power company Energex shut power to some low-lying areas of Brisbane, including parts of the financial district, for fear that live power lines could electrify floodwaters. Some 78,000 homes in the southeast of Queensland were without electricity.
Glamourous: Kate Middleton's sister Pippa, left, and Prince Harry's girlfriend Chelsey Davy, right, were among the guests at the wedding of Lady Katie Percy
Happy: Lady Katie Percy, left is the daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, right
Fairytale: Lady Katie wore a beautiful Bruce Oldfield dress and was accompanied by her father in a carriage drawn by two white horses
Stand out: Miss Middleton wore a fuchsia fascinator to match her dress while Miss Davy wore a similarly striking blue dress and black feathered fascinator
Picturesque: The reception was held at her family's Alnwick Castle, which doubles as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films
