The Tory leader, William Hague, and his new bride Ffion have jetted off to a 'secret' honeymoon destination.

The couple left from Heathrow Airport after attending a reception at the House of Commons.

Although they have not revealed their honeymoon destination it is believed they are staying in India for two weeks.

Mr Hague and Ffion Jenkins were married in the historic House of Commons crypt.

The couple emerge from the Commons chapel

The couple emerged from the private service to shouts from a scrum of photographers.

Mr Hague kissed his bride and asked wellwishers: "Doesn't she look beautiful?"

The 36-year-old Tory leader sealed the union with his 29-year-old bride with the Welsh marriage vow: "Yr wyfi i, William Hague, yn dy gymryd di, Ffion, yn wraig i mi." There were no reports on whether he became tongue-tied.

However, Mr Hague later admitted that his wedding vows were more nerve-racking than Prime Minister's Question Time, his weekly verbal bout in the House with the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Mr Hague reputedly fell in love with Ffion as she taught him the words of the Welsh national anthem when he was Secretary of State for Wales.

Mr Hague spent his last night as a bachelor at the Surrey home of his chief-of-staff, the double Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe.

Earlier, he had dinner with his fiancée and her parents, his parents Nigel and Stella, his best man Nick Levy and Mr Levy's wife Caroline, and Miss Jenkins's elder sister, Dr Manon Williams - the only bridesmaid.

Miss Jenkins spent the night with her mother and sister.

The couple have already received a gift from Mr Blair and his wife Cherie, as well as Baroness Thatcher and husband Sir Denis who gave them a pair of solid silver goblets.

Lady Thatcher added a handwritten note saying she hoped they could drink from the goblets when they have a private moment.

They have also been sent more than 5,000 cards by well-wishers.
 

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