WIlliam was close to tears as Prince Harry paid an emotional tribute to their mother Diana in his best man’s speech.

Harry, Master of Ceremonies at William and Kate’s triumphant evening wedding reception, took to his feet in front of 350 of the couple’s closest friends and ­family.

And there was barely a dry eye as Harry turned to William and told him: “Our mother would be so very proud of you.”

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A guest at the Buckingham Palace celebration revealed: “Harry only said a few words, but it was so emotional. The entire room burst into applause.”

Wearing a fez hat Harry had started his speech by standing on the top table and describing the newlyweds as the “Dude and Duchess”.

As guests chuckled, he poked fun at William’s ­receding hairline and said he felt sorry for Kate marrying a “bald man”.

He handed over to two of William’s oldest pals, who cracked jokes that had him ­laughing hysterically.

Double act James Meade, who William, 28, met at Eton, and Thomas Van Straubenzee, a friend from William’s Ludgrove Prep School in ­Berkshire, ­recounted tales of William’s ­“debauchery” and “nakedness” as a ­bachelor.

Finally, proud father of the bride Michael Middleton, 61, was ­greeted with a standing ovation for a speech which captured the ­spirit of the day.

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