Restless William Fidgets, Makes Faces : Kids Will Be Kids--Stealing a Share of the Royal Spotlight

Prince William, second in line to the British throne and youngest attendant at the royal wedding, showed his age--4--at today’s ceremony: He fidgeted, made faces and even stuck his tongue out at a cousin.

But on the mile-long procession to Buckingham Palace from his uncle’s wedding at Westminster Abbey, William adhered to a British royal tradition--he waved all along the route.

While Prince Andrew exchanged wedding vows with Sarah Ferguson, William fidgeted in his seat in full view of television cameras.

Poked Self in Eye

The young prince seemed little interested in the ceremony and sat playing with the cord on his hat, wrapping it around his fingers and his nose. Then he poked himself in the eye with it. At one point, he stuck his tongue out at his 6-year-old cousin, bridesmaid Laura Fellowes.

His antics drew a warning glance and giggles from his mother, Princess Diana, who was sitting nearby.

William’s restlessness continued while his father, Prince Charles, read from Ephesians 3. Then William, along with fellow page Seamus Makim, the bride’s 5-year-old nephew, began playing with the toy seaman’s knives that came with their blue and white sailor suits.

The knives, toy replicas of those used by Royal Navy sailors in the 19th Century, have blunted stainless steel blades and bone handles.

William was on his best behavior when the service ended, leading the seven other young attendants out of the abbey.

Train a Problem

The bride’s 17-foot train was the biggest problem for the children in the wedding party.

The two eldest attendant children, Princess Anne’s 8-year-old son, Peter Phillips, and Lady Rosanagh Innes-Ker, 7, daughter of the Duke of Roxburghe, bobbed around the long train, straightening it out and occasionally lifting it.

The younger attendants, aged between 4 and 7, kept away from the train. They walked down the aisle at the end of the 45-minute service in only slightly ragged formation.

Other attendants were Princess Anne’s 4-year-old daughter, Zara Phillips; Sarah’s half-brother and half-sister, Andrew, 7, and Alice Ferguson, 5; and Princess Diana’s niece, Laura Fellowes.