Mike Theiler / Reuters

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington, center, commander of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR), is flanked by actors portraying President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, as they arrive to review troops during a dress rehearsal for the inaugural parade at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan.13. The official inauguration and swearing-in will take place Jan. 21.

Mike Theiler / Reuters

Members of the military band perform during the dress rehearsal.

WASHINGTON — With his wife and two daughters at his side, President Barack Obama will raise his right hand and place his left on two stacked Bibles as he takes the oath of office for another four-year term. His second inauguration promises the pageantry of the firs, but on a smaller scale than 2009, when a record 1.8 million people filled the nation's capital to witness Obama making history as America's first black president.

-- By Jennifer C. Kerr, The Associated Press

Read the full story: Questions and answers about upcoming inauguration

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

A technician tests microphones on the stage.

AP reports: Hundreds of troops have paraded through the empty streets of London in a dawn rehearsal for their ceremonial role during the royal wedding.

Carl Court / AFP - Getty Images

A royal limousine takes part in a dress rehearsal in central London early on April 27 for the royal wedding between Britain's Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton. Up to 1,000 members of the British military attended a pre-dawn rehearsal for the royal wedding on Wednesday to ensure they get everything right on the big day.

Darren Staples / Reuters

A soldier yawns during the royal wedding rehearsal at dawn on April 27.

Wednesday's walkthrough saw army, navy and air force personnel in full uniform lining the route Prince William and Kate Middleton will follow between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

Mounted troops of the Household Cavalry escorted a horse-drawn carriage.

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Sailors of the Royal Navy march outside Westminster Abbey.

Peter MacDiarmid / Getty Images

A Scots Guards officer, right, makes checks during the rehearsal on The Mall.

Starting at about 5 a.m., the troops practiced and timed their roles to the second for Friday's celebrations — but without the crowds expected on the day.

Organizers said the dress rehearsal went without a hitch.

Alastair Grant / AP

Soldiers of the Household Cavalry escorting a carriage cross Horseguards as they take part in the rehearsal.

Read more about the rehearsal on Today.com or watch the video below.

You can find more royal wedding coverage on our blog, The Windsor Knot and on PhotoBlog. 

And more photo coverage in our slideshows:

Preparations for the royal wedding.
Wacky royal wedding memorabilia.
The royal guestlist - who's coming to the wedding?
A royal courtship.
History of British royal weddings.
Kate Middleton's style.
Crown jewels.