Partying through the night after marriage

Partying through the night after marriage

Britain's Zara Phillips, the eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, and her husband England rugby player Mike Tindall leave Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh after their marriage Saturday.England rugby captain Mike Tindall played it true to form after marrying Zara Phillips - partying through the night.

The groggy groom finally emerged from the bash yesterday, still wearing his morning suit a day after he tied the knot with the Queen's granddaughter in Edinburgh.He and Zara, 30, were joined by 400 guests as they knocked back vodka cocktails and bubbly on Saturday night.But fun-loving Mike, 32, was believed to have carried on partying with pals after the disco ended, before meeting friends and family for an 8am breakfast at the hotel.He was even seen carrying a bottle of champagne as he returned to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at about 12.30pm.The wedding was the THIRD consecutive big night out for Mike and Zara.On Thursday they partied away at a nightclub until 3am, then on Friday they sipped pink champagne with friends on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, now based at Leith.On Saturday, Holyroodhouse - the Queen's Scottish home - had been turned into a temporary nightclub with flashing lights for the party, and the music could clearly be heard in nearby streets. Mike and showjumper Zara were joined on the dancefloor by fellow newlyweds Prince William and Kate, as well as Prince Harry, although the Queen, now 85, left early.An insider revealed: "There was lots of booze on offer and guests were in a mood to party."The DJ and band kept saying, 'Make some noise' and guests responded with cheers."It wasn't your typical royal wedding reception. There was the rugby set and the horsey set. Both know how to enjoy themselves."As the celebrations wound down Zara's dad, Captain Mark Phillips, was spotted snoozing in a chair at the Balmoral Hotel where he was! staying .Wedding guests included Prince Harry's TV presenter ex Natalie Pinkham, rugby aces Lawrence Dallaglio and Jonny Wilkinson, and England's 2003 World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward.Pop star Una Healey attended with her boyfriend, England full-back Ben Foden, and said: "It was really something special. They are a wonderful couple."Highlights included the best man's speech by former England ace Iain Balshaw. A guest revealed: "Iain's speech was very funny - he joked how Mike had moved up in the world since meeting Zara."He said, 'When I first met Mike he was driving a Ford Mondeo. He moved on to an Audi, then a Range Rover and finally a chauffeur-driven car'."The punchline referred to Mike's three-year driving ban, and the guest added: "The car joke got the biggest laugh of the night, but Mike spoke for 20 minutes about his devotion to Zara and how much he loved her. He was gushing."During the ceremony William and Harry gave a joint reading from moving kids' story The Velveteen Rabbit.A guest said: "The message of the story was that if someone loves you, you somehow become more real. Zara and Mike were really touched."Mike finally changed out of his wedding clobber yesterday afternoon before he and Zara left the palace.But there will be no immediate honeymoon. Mike returns to training today as England prepare for September's World Cup, and horsewoman Zara will be back at work tomorrow. - www.thesun.co.uk