By Gerard Tubb, Sky News Correspondent
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were among the large crowds cheering on the world's top cyclists as the Tour de France began in Yorkshire.
Two million people are expected to line the roads this weekend as the county hosts the first two stages of the prestigious bike race.
Some 198 riders in 22 teams were in the middle of Leeds for the start - but the teams did not compete for the first eight miles.
The riders began the first stage in Leeds The race proper began in the grounds of 18th century stately home Harewood House where the royals chatted with lead riders, including reigning British champion Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish.
There was a display by the world-famous Red Arrows RAF aerobatic team and Kate cut the ribbon to officially start the race.
The centre of Leeds was crammed with cycling fans The cyclists were then sent on their way in the "Grand Depart".
Scores of towns and villages along the 190km opening stage were packed as the peloton travelled through the Yorkshire Dales to the finish in Harrogate.
Organisers of the 101st Tour hope the Duchess will present the coveted yellow jersey to the stage winner this afternoon, with British sprinter Mark Cavendish tipped as the possible recipient in his mother's home town.
Team Sky tweeted this picture of Chris Froome who was first on the team bus On Sunday, the riders arrive in York for a 201km stage taking in some of the most challenging climbs in Britain, ending in Sheffield.
And on Monday, the Tour moves south to Cambridge and a 155km stage ending on The Mall, in central London.
There was some rain in Yorkshire earlier in the day but the weather conditions seemed more favourable later.
Fears the narrow roads and stone walls in the Yorkshire Dales National Park would be too dangerous for the cyclists were dismissed by five-times Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault.
The Team Sky bus makes its way to the start in Leeds He told Sky News the challenges that Yorkshire poses were just part of the race.
"It's for the riders to adapt to the route, not for the route to adapt to the riders," he said.
Local businesses have been warned to expect up to 700 cars per hour trying to get into what are usually relatively isolated villages, with road closures for the race causing added problems.
Two million people are expected to watch the opening stages of the race Tens of thousands of tents and caravans squeezed into fields where sheep and cattle usually graze after officials relaxed the area's strict planning regulations for the weekend.
The Welcome to Yorkshire tourism agency predicts the event, which is watched by billions of TV viewers around the world, will bring £100m into Yorkshire's economy.
The race ends in Paris on July 27.
Alberto Contador of Spain poses for fans before the start of the race All eyes will be on Britain's Chris Froome to see if he can take the title for Team Sky for the second successive year.
It would mark a third straight British win, after Bradley Wiggins rode to victory in 2012.
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