THERE was standing room only in the village hall in the North Yorkshire village of Osmotherley.

By the time Kate Middleton became the Duchess of Cambridge, many were dabbing away tears. Applause broke out in the village hall as the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced William and Kate man and wife.

It seemed the entire village had crammed into the hall to watch history unfold.

The drizzle retreated by the time the royal family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony and Osmotherley’s afternoon’s events – including a best-dressed couple competition – got going.

The focal point of the village was the aptlynamed Queen Catherine hotel – said to be the only hostelry of this name in the UK.

Although the veracity of these claims is untested, tale-tellers have it that Henry VIII closed down dozens of drinking dens of this name in exasperation – three of his six wives were called Catherine – he divorced one; another was beheaded.

Landlady Sarah Keating said: “We have been really busy, but my dad was behind the bar during the wedding, so I got to watch it. Everyone has had a great time.”

Also enjoying the festivities were villagers Lesley Hore and Helen Cameron.

Mrs Hore said: “It is really lovely to have something positive for the country to enjoy.”

Mrs Cameron said: “We have been amazed at how transfixed all the children were by it all. There was a lot to sit through, but they have absolutely loved it.”

Among the dozens of children was seven-yearold Katie Irving, who said: “We all thought the bride looked very pretty.”