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A dream come true

Kate Middleton (Jeff Moore / Splash News)

A once-in-a-lifetime fairy tale finished its first chapter today.

Billions around the globe set their alarm clocks to watch the incredible marriage of a prince and a commoner — as Kate Middleton, from the tiny village of Bucklebury, became a duchess, and her groom, Prince William, a duke.

It was a union rife with tension for the elite wedding participants and royal gawkers alike. Last night, three anti-capitalist activists planning a mock execution of royal uncle Prince Andrew were rounded up in an intense security crackdown targeting suspicious characters ahead of the festivities.

The Metropolitan Police arrested Chris Knight, 68, his partner Camilla Power, 60, and Patrick Macroidan, 45 — who was dressed as an executioner, The Guardian reported. They were charged with suspicion to cause public nuisance and breach of peace.

Earlier, cops raided several homes in different parts of London in an intelligence-led operation in which 19 were arrested.

Scotland Yard said those arrests were not directly involved with the wedding, although police admitted rushing the timing to execute the sweep ahead of the high security day.

London — which has a history of terror attacks by Islamic fundamentalists and the IRA — had assigned 5,000 cops to the streets today.

Royal watchers were undeterred, captivated by every detail of the nuptials.

It was revealed the ring Prince William chose to slip on Kate’s finger was a plain band made of pink-hued Welsh gold given to William by the queen after his engagement.

The handsome groom decided to wear his mounted dress uniform of the Irish Guards, where he’s an honorary colonel.

One insider said Queen Elizabeth was over the moon about William’s choice for his bride.

“I’m told the queen is absolutely delighted about the whole thing,” said royal biographer Hugo Vickers.

Speculation continues as to where the newlyweds would honeymoon. The Isles of Scilly, Kenya and the Seychelles’ have all been mentioned.

Also in the running is the queen’s 50,000-acre Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The couple is limited by the prince’s military commitments — he’s a Royal Air Force helicopter search-and-rescue pilot and has only two weeks’ leave.

Up to the day before the wedding, officials were still scouring the 1,900-member guest list to make sure all the invites were deserved.

Red-faced royals suddenly thought better of Syria’s ambassador — the anti-Democratic regime killed 120 protesters over the weekend — and revoked the invite at the last minute.

Wedding-watchers snapped up about 150,000 copies of the couple’s 28-page official program for about $3.30 per copy. It includes a note expressing thanks from the couple.

“The affection shown to us by so many people during our engagement has been incredibly moving, and has touched us both deeply,” the note reads.

Also included was a black-and-white portrait of Prince William and Kate appearing in open-collar white shirts, happy and relaxed, grinning from ear to ear. With Post Wire Service

jennifer.fermino@nypost.com