Junior Rasmussen
Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding reception was an extravagant affair, with a surprise organised by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton. After the speeches, guests were led into the throne room, which had been transformed with strobe lights, glitter balls, and a giant dance floor. Harry, who was the compere, introduced the speeches with a risqué joke about a fur thong, and ended with a touching reference to his mother, Princess Diana. Harry also expressed his discomfort with the Blues and Royals uniform he wore, which was dictated by protocol. In his memoir, Harry also revealed that he felt sick about William's odd behaviour before his wedding to Meghan Markle, where William was his best man.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of William and Kate's wedding | 29 April 2011 |
| Location | Westminster Abbey |
| Harry's role | Best man |
| Harry's feelings about the wedding | Personal sadness, discomfort in his uniform |
| William's behaviour | Odd, questionable |
| William's role at Harry's wedding | Best man |
| William's prank at Harry's wedding reception | Not known |
| Harry's actions at the reception | Introduced the speeches, made a joke, referenced his mother |
| Harry's feelings about William's behaviour | He "felt sick" |
| Harry's memoir | "Spare" |
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What You'll Learn
Harry's discomfort in his Blues and Royals uniform
In his memoir, *Spare*, Prince Harry revealed that he felt uncomfortable at his brother Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton. Harry's discomfort was due to the Blues and Royals uniform that he was required to wear as per royal protocol.
Harry wrote that he did not feel smart in the uniform, which featured large shoulder pads and cuffs. He imagined people asking, "Who's this idiot?" and felt like a "kitsch version of Johnny Bravo". He also noted that his brother, William, had wanted to wear his Household Cavalry kit but was overruled by Queen Elizabeth, who requested he wear the red uniform of the Irish Guards instead.
Harry's discomfort in his uniform stood in contrast to the joy and sadness he felt on the day. He was reminded that Westminster Abbey, the wedding venue, was also the site of their mother's funeral. He also expressed a personal connection to Diana on the day and made a touching reference to her in his speech at the reception.
Harry's role as compere at the reception involved introducing the speeches. He made a risqué joke about a fur thong a fan had made for Kate as a wedding present, which amused the guests. After the speeches, Harry arranged a surprise party in the throne room, where the chandeliers had been replaced by strobe lights and glitter balls, and a giant dance floor had been installed.
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William's behaviour before the wedding
In his memoir, Spare, Harry recalls his brother William's odd behaviour before his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. Harry recounted reminding William of their tradition of dining together before greeting the public, which they had undertaken on the night of William's wedding. Before Harry's big day, however, William allegedly questioned the need to greet the masses, saying, "Why are you even saying hello to the crowds, Harold?". This made Harry "feel sick". William eventually did budge, and the brothers greeted the public together.
Harry also recalled how he was sipping drinks with friends at the Coworth Park Hotel, where he spent the night before the wedding. William, who was supposed to join them, cancelled at the last minute, citing "Kate and the kids". William also refused to dine with Harry and stay the night, saying, "Sorry, Harold. Can't. Kids." Harry speculated that his behaviour may have been due to his not being chosen as Harry's best man. In his memoir, Harry revealed that he had chosen his "old mate Charlie" as his best man, but the Palace put out the story that William was the best man to avoid news coverage focusing on an outsider. William allegedly took his role as best man too seriously and pulled a prank on Harry at the reception that "floored" some of the guests.
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William's four-word remark that made Harry feel sick
In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry recalled feeling “sick" about a four-word remark made by his brother, Prince William, just hours before his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. Harry, who served as William's best man at his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011, was reportedly not the first choice for the role at his own wedding. Harry speculated that William's behaviour might have been influenced by this.
Harry recounted reminding William of their tradition from the night of William's wedding, where they dined together before greeting the public. However, before Harry's wedding, William questioned the need to greet the crowds, saying, "Why are you even saying hello to the crowds, Harold?". This comment left Harry feeling "sick". Despite his initial reluctance, William eventually agreed to greet the people.
Harry's memoir also provides insights into his feelings about William and Kate's wedding. He shared his personal sadness, noting that Westminster Abbey, the wedding venue, was also the site of their mother's funeral. Harry wrote that he felt uncomfortable and self-conscious in his Blues and Royals uniform, which protocol dictated he wear. He also described feeling a sense of “goodbye" as his brother married.
At William and Kate's wedding reception, Harry played a prominent role, introducing the speeches and making a joke about a fur thong a fan had made for Kate as a wedding present. After the speeches, Harry and Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton, had organised a surprise for the guests in the throne room, transforming the space into a vibrant party venue with strobe lights, glitter balls, and a giant dance floor. Harry ensured the party ended on a high note, announcing it was "time for some serious partying" before the music was turned up for one last song.
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Harry's surprise party in the throne room
After Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding ceremony, guests were ushered into the throne room for a surprise party arranged by Prince Harry and Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton. The throne room had been transformed for the occasion, with the priceless chandeliers covered up and replaced by strobe lights, glitter balls, and a giant dance floor. The dais where the thrones usually stood had been swapped out for a disco booth and a cocktail bar.
Harry had introduced the speeches at the reception, making a risqué joke about a fur thong a fan had made for Kate as a wedding present, which had the guests in fits of laughter. He ended on a heartfelt note, referencing his and William's late mother, Princess Diana, and how she would have loved to be there and to see the love that William and Kate had found together.
The final speech of the evening, given by William's friends, included a humorous anecdote about a night out when William ended up wearing a ladies' thong. After the speeches, it was time for Harry's surprise party. Charles and Camilla took to the dance floor when British singer Ellie Goulding performed Elton John's 'Your Song'.
Harry announced it was "time for some serious partying", and the music was turned up for one last song. Harry jumped into the crowd, and the guests partied the night away in the throne room, creating unforgettable memories.
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William's best man speech
Your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... my brother and now friend is married! Hip hip...
I want to start by saying what an honour it is to be standing here today as best man. Harry, thank you for entrusting me with this role. I know you said you would have chosen your 'old mate Charlie', but I'm glad the Palace put me forward. I promise to do my best to make you proud.
I also want to say a big thank you to our mother, who sadly couldn't be here today, but who we know is looking down on us with pride and love.
Now, Harry, you know I love you, but I have to say, you looked a bit of a kitsch version of Johnny Bravo in that Blues and Royals uniform. Huge shoulder pads, huge cuffs... I could see the crowd thinking: "Who's this idiot?" But, you pulled it off, and I must admit, you looked bloody smart.
I also want to take a moment to thank Kate's father, Michael. I knew things were getting serious when I found a helicopter in my garden. I thought, "Gosh, he must really like my future wife". I did wonder how I was ever going to top that.
Finally, Harry, I know you're looking forward to the partying, but let's not forget the importance of the occasion. I know you wanted to wear your Household Cavalry kit, but unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.
Let's raise a glass to the happy couple. May their love continue to grow and flourish.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince William allegedly pulled a prank on his brother, Harry, at his wedding reception. William was Harry's best man at the wedding and reportedly took his role too seriously.
Harry wrote in his memoir, 'Spare', that he felt sick about his brother's odd behaviour. He also speculated that William's behaviour might have been due to him not being chosen as Harry's best man.
Prince Harry gave a speech at his brother's wedding reception. He introduced the speeches with a risqué joke about a fur thong a fan had made for Kate as a wedding present. He ended his speech with a touching reference to their mother and how she would have loved to be there.
Prince Harry felt a sense of personal sadness at his brother's wedding. He was reminded that Westminster Abbey, the wedding venue, was also the venue for their mother's funeral. Harry also felt uncomfortable in his Blues and Royals uniform, which protocol dictated that he wear.
