The royal House of Windsor has released some official wedding photos from William and Catherine's big day. The photos were taken immediately following the royal wedding ceremony, before the couple kissed on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Hugo Burnand served as head photographer, assisted by a staff of three that included his mother, 71. He also photographed the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005. Follow the jump to see more photos, plus a comparison shot from the 1981 wedding of Charles and Diana, Prince and Princess of Wales...

The picture above is already iconic. The same poses and the same room of the palace were used to stage another famous royal wedding photo. See it below:

The Charles and Diana wedding photos were taken by Patrick Lichfield. It is believed, and greatly hoped, by most that William and Catherine will enjoy a much happier fate than did Charles and Di, who were divorced in 1996. Following their wedding celebration, the royal couple was whisked away from London in a maroon helicopter for parts unknown.