Newlywed royals skip town

>>> they were catching their breath today in london , one day after putting on a royal wedding spectacular that was one of the most viewed events in history. as for the prince and his new princess, they emerged again today before taking off for parts unknown. nbc's michelle kosinski has the latest from london tonight . michelle, good evening.

>> reporter: hi, lester. today was a great day for london to recover from the royal wedding . for william and catherine , though, they took this opportunity to duck out of view, if only for a few days. so what does one do the day after the day that was made for history? more pageantry than many dreamed possible. followed by a night to remember for this quite possibly exhausted young couple. one grabs a little quiet. william and catherine walk hand in hand on the sunlit grounds of buckingham palace just before escaping by helicopter. to a long weekend, location unknown. somewhere in the uk. perhaps balmoral castle . but certain to be free of cheering crowds and camera crews. to keep everyone happy, the palace released the official wedding photographs. william and catherine with their families, the young bridesmaids and pages, and together, husband and wife. but no tropical honeymoon awaits, at least not yet. the pair has decided to wait. and the future king, believe it or not, will be back at work as an air force search and rescue pilot in wales on tuesday.

>> i think after such a big wedding and, let's face it, it's the world's biggest wedding, maybe you do need a little time to reflect, sit back, catch your breath, and then actually enjoy each other's company.

>> reporter: now london cleans up and the world devours every detail. the gown that remained a secret, crafted by a small army of laceworkers who themselves didn't know who designed it. of course, the fashion statements. and the frowning flower girl. now the latest internet sensation, she is only 3 years old. the middleton family was seen leaving their hotel, a bit tired maybe, but still smiling, and waving just a little royally. the proud father of the groom was congratulated out in town. but prince charles 's more private words after the wedding about being lucky to have catherine may just resonate a long time.

>> i think yesterday injected a huge rush of energy into the british monarchy . by his choice of bride prince william has ensured that the house of windsor is going to stay on the throne of britain for at least another half century. the sheer love and affection that you saw for princess catherine is such that no politician would dare put an anti-monarchist platform in any election manifesto .

>> reporter: perhaps that is the legacy for now of this wedding that didn't shout but spoke.

>> i pronounce that they be man and wife together.

>> reporter: that britain is still mighty, tradition still magnificent, and that true unabashed love is still good enough reason for the entire world to cheer. now, the royal wedding did some tangible good, too, not only to local businesses but also to small charities that the couple asked for donations too in lieu of gifts. lester?