Lyla Dejesus
On 29 April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton were married at Westminster Abbey in London. The couple's wedding was a massive public affair, with thousands of well-wishers from around the world gathering in London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the royal wedding. The bride wore a dress designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, and the groom wore the red uniform of the Irish Guards. The official wedding portrait, shot by Hugo Bernand in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace, shows the newly-minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now also the Prince and Princess of Wales) surrounded by their families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 April 2011 |
| Location | Westminster Abbey, London |
| Bride | Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales |
| Groom | Prince William, Duke of Cambridge |
| Bride's Dress | Alexander McQueen |
| Groom's Attire | Uniform of the Irish Guards |
| Notable Guests | Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham |
| Official Portrait | Shot by Hugo Bernand in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace |
| Notable Moments | Kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, William driving a vintage Aston Martin |
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What You'll Learn
The wedding ceremony
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place on Friday, 29 April 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. The ceremony was conducted by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, with John Hall, Dean of Westminster, presiding, and Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, preaching the sermon. A reading was given by Catherine's brother, James.
William's best man was his brother, Prince Harry, while Catherine's sister, Pippa, was the maid of honour. The ceremony was attended by the couple's families, members of foreign royal families, diplomats, and the couple's chosen personal guests.
The bride, Catherine, wore a dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, made of silk organza and tulle, with a hint of the Victorian tradition of corsetry. Her wedding ring was made from Welsh gold and had been given to William by Queen Elizabeth II. Notably, Catherine did not vow to obey William during the ceremony, which is unusual for royal brides.
The groom and best man arrived at Westminster Abbey, where thousands of adoring fans lined the route outside. The ceremony began at 11:00 BST, with Catherine arriving at the abbey by car, rather than by carriage, the traditional transport for royal brides. The route planned was along The Mall, through Horse Guards Parade, and down Whitehall to the abbey. Some roads in central London were closed, and transport authorities issued travel advice and information on road closures.
The abbey, which has a usual seating capacity of 2000, has been the venue for most royal weddings in the last century. A prominent decorative addition inside the abbey for the ceremony was an avenue of 20-foot-tall trees, six field maples and two hornbeams, arranged on either side of the main aisle.
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The official portrait
The official wedding portrait of Prince William and Kate Middleton was shot by photographer Hugo Bernand in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace. The photograph features the newlywed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, now also the Prince and Princess of Wales, surrounded by close members of their family, including Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait was released to commemorate the couple's 13th wedding anniversary.
The royal couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011, with all the grandeur and tradition of a royal wedding. The bride, Kate Middleton, wore a custom wedding gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, featuring a v-neck bodice and a long-sleeve lace overlay. Her engagement ring, which was previously owned by Princess Diana, was also on display.
In the official portrait, Princess Kate takes centre stage in a black-and-white photograph, with Prince William standing behind her with his hand on her hip. The photograph captures the newlyweds in an intimate and joyful moment, with Kate's radiant smile taking centre stage. The portrait offers a glimpse into the couple's fairy-tale wedding and the love and joy that surrounded their special day.
The photographer, Hugo Bernand, is a well-known royal photographer who has also undertaken formal sittings for other royal occasions, including the wedding of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2005 and their coronation portraits in 2023. The choice of the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace as the backdrop for the official wedding portrait further adds to the grandeur and significance of the occasion.
The release of the official portrait by the royal couple has delighted fans and offered a new perspective on their wedding day. The portrait has also become a symbol of the enduring love and bond between the Prince and Princess of Wales, as they continue to navigate the "ups and downs" of life together as a royal couple.
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The wedding dress
The choice of the British fashion house was a departure from the usual selection of a British-owned company, as McQueen is owned by the Italian brand Gucci. The dress was kept a closely guarded secret until the wedding day, with only a few insiders knowing the designer's identity. Burton was chosen for her "beauty of craftsmanship and respect for traditional workmanship and technical construction of clothing."
The dress was met with widespread acclaim and influenced Western bridal gown trends. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld praised the dress, noting that it "goes very well in the Westminster decor" and that the "lace is very pretty." Antonio Marras of Kenzo also commented on the clever mix of "edgy fashion and tradition in a very British way."
The gown's long sleeves were also noted as a departure from the strapless wedding gowns that had been popular, signalling a new trend in bridal fashion. The dress's lace bodice echoed that of Grace Kelly's wedding dress, and the train, though impressive, was not the longest in royal history—that distinction belongs to Princess Diana, whose train measured 25 feet.
The dress was later displayed at Buckingham Palace, breaking records and inspiring brides for over a decade.
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The kiss on the balcony
The crowd's cries for another kiss prompted William to lean in and whisper, "Shall we do one more?" to Kate. Before she could respond, William leaned in for a second kiss, causing Kate to laugh. This spontaneous moment showcased the couple's love and happiness and has since gone viral on TikTok, with over 6.5 million views.
The balcony at Buckingham Palace has been the site of other royal kisses, including that of Princess Diana and King Charles III, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who chose to kiss on the steps instead. William and Kate's wedding at Westminster Abbey was attended by royals and celebrities, including David and Victoria Beckham, and thousands of well-wishers lined the streets of London to celebrate.
The couple's wedding day was filled with memorable moments, from Kate's stunning Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding dress to the vintage Aston Martin sports car decorated with wedding regalia that William drove after the ceremony. The kisses on the balcony added a spontaneous and romantic touch to the fairytale wedding, capturing the hearts of people around the world.
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The celebrations
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was a grand affair, with celebrations that captivated people across the globe. The royal wedding took place on April 29, 2011, in London, and was a spectacular event filled with tradition, elegance, and joy. The couple's special day was marked by a series of memorable moments and heartfelt celebrations.
In the lead-up to the wedding, Middleton, who was already christened as a child, chose to be confirmed into the Church of England. The confirmation service was a solemn occasion conducted by the Bishop of London at St. James's Palace, with her family and William in attendance. The couple also personally approved an official range of china, including handmade plates, cups, and pillboxes, adorned with their intertwined initials, to be sold as souvenirs for the Royal Collection. The Lord Chamberlain's office also approved additional memorabilia, such as official mugs, plates, and biscuit tins, to commemorate the occasion.
On the day of the wedding, thousands of adoring fans lined the processional route outside Westminster Abbey, eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the happy couple. The groom, Prince William, and his best man arrived first, followed by a host of distinguished guests, including Charles and Camilla, who arrived in style. The bride, Catherine Middleton, made her way to the abbey by car, opting for a more modern approach compared to the traditional carriage ride typically chosen by royal brides.
The wedding ceremony itself was a beautiful and emotional affair, with the bride and groom exchanging vows and singing together at the altar. Catherine's sister, Pippa, served as the maid of honour and escorted the young bridesmaids, while Prince Harry ensured the wedding ring was secure in a specially added compartment in his military uniform. The Dean of Westminster, John Hall, officiated the service, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, celebrating the marriage.
The newlyweds, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, shared a sweet kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, delighting the crowd and starting a new tradition by repeating the kiss for a second time. The reception featured a magnificent multi-tiered traditional fruitcake created by Fiona Cairns, and the couple made a joyful exit in a vintage Aston Martin sports car adorned with wedding regalia.
The wedding sparked celebrations across England and Wales, with approximately 5,500 applications for royal wedding street parties. Prime Minister David Cameron hosted a street party in Downing Street for charity workers and local children, while alternative celebrations were held by the anti-monarchy campaign group, Republic. The University of St Andrews, where the couple first met, hosted a party for about 2,000 people, and celebrations in Anglesey, where the couple resided after the wedding, were also held.
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Frequently asked questions
The official wedding photo of Will and Kate, shot by Hugo Bernand, features the newly-wed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now also the Prince and Princess of Wales) in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace.
In the photo, Will and Kate are posing for the camera. Will is wearing a different outfit to what he wore during the ceremony.
The photo was taken in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace.
The official wedding photo was taken by photographer Hugo Bernand.
The photo was taken on 29 April 2011, the date of Will and Kate's wedding. It was released to the public on their 13th wedding anniversary in 2024.
