Rhiannon Hendricks
Fans of the monarchy were delighted by the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's nuptials were a fairytale affair, with Kate's exquisite lace gown by Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton and the lavish ceremony, which was attended by 1900 guests, including the Queen, Boris Johnson, and David and Victoria Beckham. Clips of the couple preparing for their evening wedding reception have been shared by fans on social media, including footage of them walking through the long entrance corridor of Clarence House and William reaching for Kate's hand in the back of a car. The wedding venue also shared a fairy-tale throwback video in honour of the couple's 14th anniversary, which they celebrated in Scotland, where they first met as college students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding Venue | Westminster Abbey, London |
| Wedding Dress | Exquisite lace gown by Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton |
| Wedding Cake | N/A |
| Wedding Guests | The Queen, London Mayor Boris Johnson, David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, among 1,900 others |
| Wedding Clips | William and Kate walking through the long entrance corridor of Clarence House; William reaching for Kate's hand in the back of a car |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding outfits
On 29 April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanged vows in Westminster Abbey, London. The wedding was a highly anticipated event, with fans eagerly waiting to see the couple's wedding outfits.
Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, wore a lace corset gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The dress combined "tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work". The design included a two-metre-long train, a lace-appliquéd bodice, and floral motifs cut out of 19th-century machine-made lace. The dress was widely praised, with fashion experts noting its traditional yet modern style, influenced by dresses from the 1950s.
Prince William wore a red Irish Guards uniform to reflect his most senior military position. The uniform included distinctive buttons, gold trim, gold sword slings, the Garter Sash with the Wings of the Royal Air Force, the Garter Star, and the Golden Jubilee Medal. William had reportedly wanted to wear a black ensemble for the wedding, but his request was overruled by Queen Elizabeth II.
The couple changed into new outfits for their evening wedding reception. Princess Kate's family also chose glamorous evening gowns, with mother-of-the-bride Carole Middleton wearing a tiered black evening gown. While there is limited information about Princess Kate's second outfit, Prince William's third outfit was a dapper Blues and Royals suit, as seen in their 13th-anniversary photo.
Wedding Reflections: Things I'd Change
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey
The wedding ceremony of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. The couple's wedding ceremony was watched by an estimated billion people around the world, with a million people lining the route between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.
The day began with the Abbey's bells ringing out across London as guests arrived. At 10:15 am, Prince William, dressed in his uniform as Colonel of the Irish Guards, and his best man, Prince Harry, arrived at the Abbey and were escorted inside to wait in St Edmund's Chapel for the start of the ceremony. They were joined by Catherine's mother, Carol Middleton, and her brother, James, as well as other members of the Middleton family, who were seated by the High Altar.
Catherine arrived at the Abbey with her father, Michael, and paused inside the Great West Door before processing to the High Altar, where her groom and his best man awaited. The ceremony included music from two choirs, one orchestra, and a fanfare ensemble. The choirs sang Blest Pair of Sirens, Parry's setting of John Milton's ode At a Solemn Musick. After the ceremony, the newlyweds signed the Marriage Registers and exited the Shrine to the sound of William Walton's Crown Imperial, played by the London Chamber Orchestra. The couple then departed the Abbey to the sound of cheering crowds and the Abbey bells.
Your Wedding Day: Cherished Moments, Forever Memories
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Royal Wedding – William & Catherine (BBC) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81h+mKInIVL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The couple's wedding reception
The wedding reception of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was a grand affair, with two separate celebrations held on the day. The first, hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, was attended by 600 guests. The second, a more intimate gathering, was hosted by the then-Prince Charles at Clarence House.
The newlyweds arrived at the first reception in style, riding in an Aston Martin decorated with ribbons, bows, balloons, and a license plate that read "JU5T WED". The menu for this reception, kept secret for several years, was eventually revealed to include a range of delicacies such as South Uist salmon, Lyme Bay crab, and Berkshire honey ice cream. The main cake was an eight-tier fruit cake decorated with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers, designed by Fiona Cairns.
For the second reception, the couple drove in an Aston Martin DB6 Volante, which was decorated with 'L' plates, bunting, ribbons, and balloons. This reception was a more intimate affair, with close friends and family in attendance. The menu, prepared by the couple's favourite chef, Anton Mosimann, featured organically sourced Welsh crab and lamb from Highgrove, followed by a trio of miniature trifle, chocolate fondant, and homemade ice cream. The first dance was performed by William and Kate to Ellie Goulding's "Starry Eyed", with the singer also covering Elton John's "Your Song". The reception continued with dancing until 2:30 am, when guests were invited outside for a fireworks display.
The wedding celebrations were a mix of tradition and personal touches, with the couple's friends and family playing a significant role in the festivities.
Jack's Wedding: Will & Grace Tie the Knot
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The couple's 14th wedding anniversary in Scotland
Prince William and Princess Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay as they are known in Scotland, spent their 14th wedding anniversary in the country where they first met as students at the University of St Andrews. The couple marked the occasion with a social media post and a trip to Scotland, where they had a busy itinerary of engagements.
On the Isle of Mull, the fourth-largest island in Scotland, they visited the town of Tobermory, where they stopped by a community hub and an artisan market. They also visited a local croft to learn about sustainable farming and hospitality on the island. The couple's trip continued on April 30 when they headed to an ancient woodland to meet the Mull and Iona Ranger Service, which plays a vital role in conservation, biodiversity protection, and education on the islands. They joined a local school group as they took part in outdoor learning.
The trip was also significant as it was Princess Kate's first overnight trip since her cancer diagnosis in early 2024. Throughout her treatment, the couple frequently spoke about supporting one another, and their trip to Scotland was a chance for them to spend some much-needed time together after a challenging time for the family.
Despite being on royal duty, the couple shared some public displays of affection during their visit, sneaking in smiles, laughs, and the occasional touch as they interacted with locals in Tobermory. They were also photographed leaning in close and sharing a laugh during the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey earlier in the year.
BYOB Wedding: How to Inform Your Guests in Advance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding procession
On 29 April 2011, HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton were married at Westminster Abbey. The couple's wedding ceremony was attended by an estimated global audience of 300 million, with 26 million watching the event live in Britain.
After the service, the newly married couple, now titled Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, travelled in a horse-drawn carriage procession along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace. The procession was a chance for the public to see the newlyweds, with thousands of people lining the streets to greet them.
Upon their arrival at Buckingham Palace, the Queen hosted a reception for the couple and their guests, and the Prince of Wales hosted a private dinner in the evening. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for an RAF flypast and shared two kisses.
Clips of the couple preparing for their evening wedding reception have been shared by fans on social media, including footage of them walking through the long entrance corridor of Clarence House and William reaching for Kate's hand in the back of a car.
Kat and Will's Wedding Photo Location Revealed
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Will and Kate got married at Westminster Abbey, London, on April 29, 2011.
Kate wore an exquisite lace gown designed by Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton.
The couple spent their 14th wedding anniversary in Scotland, where they first met as college students.
![ARTESORI Premium Wedding Vow Book for Her & Him, Soft Touch, Gold Foil, 28 Lined Pages, Wedding Vow Books His and Hers, Wedding Essentials, Wedding Registry Ideas, His and Hers Gifts [Ivory & Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X4pKgPtNL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
