So who WERE those nuns? Sisters in Reebok trainers who got the best seats in the house



With two billion people around the world watching, it was two nuns who took pride of place next to the newly married bride and groom.

As William and Kate sang prayers from the specially designed hymn sheets, the two sisters looked on unassumingly.

But despite their demure appearance, rumours even began to surface today that one of the woman was a secret 'ninja nun' intended to protect the Royal couple by pouncing on any intruders. However, it is certain they were merely there for spiritual protection.

Poised? The tall 'ninja nun' in black Reebok Classics trainers sits just inches from Prince William, perhaps ready to spring into action, as they sing hymns at Westminster Abbey yesterday

Dressed in their traditional habits, comprising of grey tunics, black coifs and two sets of white sleeves, the two nuns sat at the top of Westminster Abbey yesterday.

Both wore spectacles but one of the nuns was significantly taller and sat noticeably more upright than the other grey-haired lady.

Sporty: The Reebok Classics would allow the nun to sprint down the aisle or tackle an intruder

Eagle-eyed viewers also noticed that she was wearing black Reebok Classics trainers underneath her traditional outfit .

Some viewers suggested that the sports footwear would have afforded a 'ninja nun' the chance sprint down the aisle or wrestle an intruder to the ground, although the shoes may have just been for comfort.

One internet user wrote: 'I guess they were undercover agents, MI5.'

There were also questions posed over why the two nuns took such a prominent position in the proceedings.

The nuns habits indicate they are members of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, an Anglican order of nuns in England, Canada, Australia, and the south Pacific.

One of the women is believed to be chaplain to the Westminster Abbey, Sister Judith CSC, which might explain her prime position. However, there was no explanation for the other lady.



Questions over the identity of the nuns surfaced as footage emerged of one of the vergers of Westminster Abbey doing cartwheels down the aisle.

Verger Ben Sheward decided that after the majority of the guests had gone he would do some acrobatics and cartwheeled down the aisle at Westminster Abbey.

The joy of the nation was summed up in his actions caught on camera as ITV continued to film what was going on inside the abbey to millions of people watching worldwide.

Vantage point: The two nuns, both with a clear view of the whole abbey, can be seen in the top right part of the picture as Prince William and Kate Middleton walk down the aisle

A handful of the 1,900 guests can be seen hanging around at the entrance to the abbey looking on as he seized the chance to flip down the red carpet where William and Kate had just walked.

The verger's cartwheels captured the jovial mood of the event. But behind the scenes police had masterminded an enormous security operation, led by Met commissioner Lynne Owens and her sidekick Christine Jones.

There were fears of mass disorder after masked thugs gathered in central London, but officers swooped on two anti-royal protests, preventing an outbreak of violence.

Preparing for the flip... ...mid flip... ...feet back on the ground

Flipping good time: Verger Ben Sheward lands with a smile after the wedding went without any hitches

But Scotland Yard went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the highest level of security on the wedding day after a series of threatened attacks.

Snipers took to rooftops and undercover officers mingled among the crowds as part of the Met operation involving 5,000 officers.

Almost 100 known troublemakers were banned from attending central London in advance of the day.

The huge police operation successfully thwarted hundreds of anarchists who had planned to wreck the royal wedding. There were 55 arrests on the day.

Every possibility covered: Police check a sewer outside Westminster Abbey hours before the Royal Wedding while right, officers cart away a man who tried to chain himself to railings



Success: Some 5,000 officers were used to police the wedding in an operation that thwarted any disruption and was hailed a triumph for the Met

The biggest security operation in a generation was described as a 'huge success' after Scotland Yard mounted a series of pre-emptive strikes.

Commentators suggested that it would be unlikely that the meticulous Scotland Yard chiefs would have allowed the couple to be 'exposed' for any period of time.

Any troublemakers could have used the period inside the abbey to gain a global audience of some two million people.