Junior Rasmussen
On April 29, 2011, Prince William married his university sweetheart, Kate Middleton, at Westminster Abbey. The couple held two wedding receptions: the first, a grand affair at Buckingham Palace for 600 guests, hosted by Queen Elizabeth, and the second, a more intimate dinner and dance organised by Prince Charles. The newlyweds left Clarence House for the receptions in a dark-blue Aston Martin DB6, decorated with balloons and a back license plate reading Just Wed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 April 2011 |
| Location | Buckingham Palace |
| Number of guests | 300 (second reception) |
| Dress code | Black tie |
| Kate's dress | Strapless white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante detail around the waist, designed by Sarah Burton |
| William's outfit | Dinner jacket and bow tie |
| Food | Welsh crab, North Highland organic lamb, spring vegetables, English asparagus, Jersey Royal potatoes, sauce Windsor, ice cream, trifle, chocolate parfait, and more |
| Cake | An eight-tier fruit cake decorated with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers, designed by Fiona Cairns |
| Transport | Dark-blue Aston Martin DB6, decorated with balloons and a "Just Wed" license plate |
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What You'll Learn
- Kate's second dress was a white satin gazar evening dress with a diamante waist
- William wore a dinner jacket and a Blues and Royals captain's frock coat
- The couple left with Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall
- The menu included North Highland organic lamb and South Uist salmon
- The couple shared their first dance to Your Song by Elton John
Kate's second dress was a white satin gazar evening dress with a diamante waist
On April 29, 2011, Prince William married his university sweetheart, Kate Middleton, at Westminster Abbey. The couple held two receptions: the first, a grand affair at Buckingham Palace for 600 guests, hosted by Queen Elizabeth, and the second, a more intimate gathering thrown by King Charles, with 300 of their closest family members and friends in attendance.
For the evening reception, Kate changed out of her iconic ivory lace gown and into a sleek white satin gazar evening dress. The second dress was designed by Sarah Burton, who also designed her wedding gown, and featured a strapless neckline, a circle skirt, and diamante detailing around the waist. Kate topped off the look with a white angora bolero cardigan and wore her hair down in her favourite style.
The newlyweds left Clarence House for the reception alongside Camilla Parker Bowles, who wore a light blue hand-embroidered high-collared floor-length dress for the evening. William stuck to a classic look with a dinner jacket and a black bow tie.
The evening reception was a fun and intimate gathering, with guests treated to a surprise performance by Ellie Goulding, who sang "'Your Song' by Elton John, as well as several other hits. The couple shared their first dance to this song, and later danced to the Beatles' "She Loves You".
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William wore a dinner jacket and a Blues and Royals captain's frock coat
Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding was a grand affair, with two receptions following the ceremony. The first was a grand affair at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth, with 600 guests in attendance. The second was a more intimate gathering of 300 close family and friends, hosted by King Charles.
For the evening reception, Prince William wore a dinner jacket and a Blues and Royals captain's frock coat. This was a change from his wedding attire, which was a dashing red uniform. The Blues and Royals captain's frock coat was made by Kashket. William's choice of a dinner jacket for the evening reception was a safe bet, with a classic and elegant look. It is not surprising that William opted for a timeless and sophisticated look for the reception, as he is known for his sense of style and fashion.
The frock coat was a nod to his military affiliation and added a touch of formality to the evening. The Blues and Royals is a regiment of the British Army, and the captain's frock coat is a traditional uniform item. William has a strong military background and has served in the Armed Forces, so this choice of attire held a special significance for him.
The dinner jacket, on the other hand, provided a more relaxed and elegant look for the evening celebrations. It is a classic choice for formal events and is often favoured by gentlemen for its timeless appeal. William's decision to wear a dinner jacket demonstrates his understanding of traditional formal wear and his desire to look polished and refined.
The combination of the dinner jacket and the Blues and Royals captain's frock coat showcases William's ability to blend tradition and modernity in his wardrobe choices. It also reflects his respect for military tradition while also embracing a more contemporary style for the reception.
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The couple left with Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall
On 29 April 2011, Prince William married his university sweetheart, Kate Middleton, at Westminster Abbey. The couple held two receptions following the ceremony. The first, hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, was a grand affair with 600 guests. The second was a more intimate gathering of 300 of the couple's closest family and friends, hosted by King Charles.
After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds rode in the same State Landau carriage that transported Charles and Diana on their wedding day. They then left for the reception in Charles's dark-blue Aston Martin DB6, decorated with balloons and a "Just Wed" license plate.
The couple left Clarence House for the wedding reception with Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. Kate wore a white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante detail around the waist, designed by Sarah Burton. William wore a dinner jacket and a black bow tie. The Duchess of Cornwall wore a light blue hand-embroidered high-collared floor-length dress.
The second reception, hosted by Charles, lasted until 3 a.m. The menu, which remained a secret for several years, included organically sourced Welsh crab and lamb from Highgrove, followed by a trio of miniature trifle, chocolate fondant, and homemade ice cream.
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The menu included North Highland organic lamb and South Uist salmon
The wedding menu is a highly anticipated detail for any couple, but when it comes to royalty, the public interest is piqued. Prince William and Princess Kate's wedding menu was no exception, and it remained a closely guarded secret for several years.
The couple's wedding was an extravagant affair, with two receptions following the ceremony. The first reception, hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, was a grand affair with 600 guests. The second reception, a more intimate gathering hosted by King Charles, included 300 of the couple's closest family and friends.
The menu for this second reception, which remained a secret for years, was finally revealed when a copy of the menu was sold at auction. The menu included a delightful array of dishes, featuring the finest produce from the British Isles. Among the highlights was the North Highland organic lamb, sourced from King Charles's own organic farm. This dish was paired with spring vegetables, English asparagus, Jersey Royal potatoes, and sauce Windsor.
Another notable dish on the menu was the South Uist salmon, a delicate choice that showcased the royal chef's attention to detail and the couple's appreciation for sustainable seafood. The salmon was likely chosen not only for its exquisite taste but also for its significance, as salmon is often associated with celebration and abundance.
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The couple shared their first dance to Your Song by Elton John
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was an affair to remember. The couple, who met at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, held a traditional ceremony at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, in front of approximately 1,900 guests. The newlyweds then proceeded to Buckingham Palace, where they shared a kiss on the balcony, following in the footsteps of William's parents and other royal couples.
The couple held two receptions to celebrate their nuptials. The first, a grand affair at Buckingham Palace, was hosted by Queen Elizabeth and attended by 600 guests. The second reception, organised by Prince Charles, was a more intimate gathering with 300 of the couple's closest family and friends, including David and Victoria Beckham and Elton John.
At the evening reception, the newlyweds shared their first dance as husband and wife to "Your Song" by Elton John, performed live by singer Ellie Goulding. The song holds a special significance for Prince William, as it was originally planned to be sung by Elton John at his mother Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. William was spotted years later at the Jubilee celebrations, singing along quietly to the song, showcasing the sentimental value it holds for him.
The choice of "Your Song" for their first dance is a testament to the couple's love and commitment. The romantic melody, with its timeless lyrics, created a magical atmosphere as the newlyweds took to the dance floor. The moment was made even more memorable by Goulding's captivating performance, which left a lasting impression on the couple and their guests.
The first dance is a significant part of any wedding, and "Your Song" by Elton John provided the perfect backdrop for Prince William and Kate Middleton's first dance as a married couple. The song's enduring popularity as a first dance choice speaks to its ability to capture the essence of love and partnership, making it a favourite among couples worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The couple held two wedding receptions.
The first reception was hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
There were 600 guests at the first reception, though one source claims there were 650.
Kate wore a white satin dress, designed by Sarah Burton, with a strapless neckline and diamante around her waist.
