Rhiannon Hendricks
Kate Middleton and Prince William's wedding was a highly-publicised event, with 162 million viewers tuning in worldwide. As a result, the couple's every move was scrutinised, including the bride's choice to remove the word obey from her vows and her curtsy to the Queen. According to royal wedding protocol, the bride must address the Queen with a curtsy during the recessional, and Kate's curtsy was a highly-viewed moment from the wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Kate curtsy to the Queen at her wedding? | Yes |
| Wedding date | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Number of guests | 1,900 |
| Cost of Kate's wedding dress | $400,000 |
| Cost of flowers | $800,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's curtsy to the Queen
Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, and her husband, Prince William, tied the knot at Westminster Abbey over a decade ago. Their wedding was a grand affair, with 1,900 guests invited to the ceremony and only 300 invited to the reception. The couple's wedding date was considered a national holiday in the United Kingdom, reflecting their significance in the royal family.
As expected, Kate gracefully curtsied to the Queen during their wedding ceremony. This moment, captured inside Westminster Abbey, showcased Kate's respect for the monarch and the royal family traditions. The Queen, grinning from witnessing her eldest grandson's wedding, marked a touching moment between the couple and their grandmother.
Kate's curtsy to the Queen at her wedding is a reminder of the importance of tradition and respect within the royal family. It is said that the women in the royal family only curtsy to the Queen, and Kate's graceful gesture on her wedding day exemplified her adherence to royal protocol. This moment, shared with millions of viewers worldwide, has undoubtedly become a memorable part of their royal wedding.
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Royal wedding rules and traditions
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and ceremony. While some customs have been relaxed or modernised over the years, many remain the same.
One of the most famous royal wedding traditions is the bridal bouquet. Many royal brides, including Queen Elizabeth, the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton), and the Duchess of Sussex, have chosen to carry a sprig of myrtle in their bouquets. This tradition dates back to Queen Victoria and Albert's eldest daughter, who was also called Victoria. The myrtle plant, which represents love, fertility, and innocence, has been grown at Osborne House, Queen Victoria's holiday home, for about 170 years.
Another tradition, which was started by Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother), is for the bride to lay her wedding bouquet at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
The wedding rings of senior female members of the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and Princess Diana, were all made from the same nugget of Welsh gold, which came from a Welsh mine, Clogau St David's at Bontddu. There is still a minute sliver of this gold in the custody of the Privy Purse Office, and any remaining gold is held by the Crown Jewellers for use in royal wedding rings.
The wedding attire of royal brides has also been subject to tradition. Queen Victoria's choice to wear a white silk dress and a floral emblem became the standard for generations of Victorian brides. Many royal brides since have worn orange blossom in their wedding dress designs, including Princess Mary of Teck (later Queen Mary), and Queen Elizabeth.
Royal wedding ceremonies are also full of traditional rituals. According to royal wedding protocol, the bride must curtsy to the queen during the recessional. At their wedding, William and Kate collectively bowed and curtsied to the Queen inside Westminster Abbey.
Following the ceremony, a luncheon is held, followed by a larger party in the evening. The newlyweds then traditionally leave the reception in style, often in a vintage car.
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The bride's viral wedding moments
It has been over a decade since Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot at Westminster Abbey, and their wedding remains one of the most highly regarded and influential royal weddings of all time. With 162 million viewers worldwide tuning in to watch the ceremony, it is no surprise that there were several viral moments from the big day.
One of the most highly viewed moments was when Kate, after being pronounced husband and wife, curtsied to the Queen during their recessional. According to royal wedding protocol, the bride must address the Queen with a curtsy, and Kate's graceful movement, along with her smile, was caught on camera and shared widely.
Another viral moment was the couple's vow exchange, which garnered one million views. A clip of the bride and groom looking lovingly into each other's eyes as Kate recited her promises, omitting the word "obey" from the traditional vows, resonated with modern viewers. Many TikTok users also commented on Kate's "beautiful" voice.
The couple's post-wedding carriage ride was also a sweet moment that was shared online. After their ceremony, William and Kate headed back to Buckingham Palace for brunch, with 21 chefs preparing 10,000 canapés for the event hosted by the Queen. The royal couple also had two wedding cakes at their reception, including a chocolate biscuit cake, a family favourite, and an eight-tier fruit cake featuring subtle nods to the United Kingdom.
The floral arrangements were also a big deal, with the couple allegedly spending $800,000 on flowers. Six 25-foot field maple trees lined the aisle, and Kate's bridal bouquet featured myrtle, lily of the valley, and sweet William as a nod to her husband.
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The royal couple's guest list
The guest list for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding included 1,900 guests, a mix of celebrities, soldiers, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, friends, and family. Only 300 of these 1,900 guests were invited to the reception.
The seating chart placed Middleton's immediate family and friends in the "north lantern" of Westminster Abbey, sharing the aisle with the British Royal Family. The Spencer family and foreign royals sat directly behind, with Prince William's friends and diplomats seated to the sides.
Some notable celebrity guests included Joss Stone, Guy Ritchie, Elton John, Victoria and David Beckham, Rowan Atkinson, Australian Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe, photographer Mario Testino, and members of the British Royal Family.
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The wedding's floral budget
Flowers are often the focal decoration at weddings, and floral arrangements can be one of the most impactful elements of the celebration. The flowers you choose will communicate your vision and create the intended ambiance. The bigger the guest list, the more flowers you'll need, and the higher the cost.
The national average cost of wedding flowers and centerpieces in the US is $2,723, but this can vary depending on the type of flowers, the number of arrangements, the size of the arrangements, and the seasonality of blooms. For example, hydrangeas, ranunculus, and dahlias will make a bigger impact than smaller blooms, but they will also cost more. The average cost of wedding flowers in the Mid-Atlantic is $3,457, followed by the Northeast/New England at $2,969, the Southwest at $2,821, and the South/Southeast at $2,734.
If you're trying to stick to a budget, there are ways to keep floral costs relatively low. Ani Keshishian, creative director of Anoush Banquet Halls & Catering and L.A. Banquets, suggests mixing big-budget blossoms with more affordable ones. For example, you could alternate between baby's breath and roses at reception tables. You can also incorporate filler foliage, such as stock and greenery, with a pop of more expensive flowers, such as David Austin roses or peonies.
If you're going the DIY route, you can spend around $900, including about $100 in supplies. You can deconstruct wildflower packages to create a custom order with color swaps. This could include a cascading bouquet, 2 boutonnieres, 2 bridal party bouquets, and bud vases on tables.
For Kate and William's wedding, flowers were a big deal. They allegedly spent $800,000 on florals. Six 25-foot field maple trees lined the aisle in Westminster Abbey, and Kate's bridal bouquet featured myrtle, lily of the valley, and sweet William.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kate Middleton curtsied to the Queen at her wedding. According to royal wedding protocol, the bride must address the queen with a curtsy during the recessional.
Queen Elizabeth II, William's grandmother and the reigning monarch at the time, was the Queen at the time of Kate's wedding.
A curtsy should be subtle, and the deeper and longer the pause, the more respect and formality are shown.
Yes, Kate and William followed many royal family rules and traditions on their wedding day. For example, Kate included myrtle in her bridal bouquet, which is a royal family tradition.
