This royal wedding toned down

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter Zara Phillips married England rugby star Mike Tindall on Saturday – but Britain’s second royal wedding of the year was largely a low-key affair, with only a hint of the glamor and excitement of Prince William’s showstopping nuptials.

Phillips, 30, who is 13th in line to the throne but does not use a royal title, and Tindall, 32, were greeted by hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers and the sound of traditional bagpipes as they left their wedding service at Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirk following a private ceremony.

The often publicity-shy bride wore a traditional ivory silk gown and a full-length flowing veil, but posed only briefly for onlookers – and gave her husband a fleeting, modest kiss – as they left the 17th century church for a reception at the queen’s Scottish residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Unlike William and Kate Middleton’s spectacular ceremony in April, the wedding service led by Rev. Neil Gardner was not broadcast on television and crowds gathered in the Scottish city were warned by police there would be little for them to see.

Before the ceremony, royal officials confirmed that Phillips will keep her last name rather than be known as Mrs. Tindall, largely because of her sporting career.

Phillips is known better for her sporting achievements than her royal heritage, as a world class equestrian who is likely to compete in the 2012 Olympics. Tindall is a leading rugby player who has captained his country.

The ceremony was the first royal wedding held in Scotland since 1992, when Princess Anne – the mother of the bride – married her second husband, Timothy Laurence.