George Boyle
On 29 April 2011, Prince William married his university sweetheart, Kate Middleton, at Westminster Abbey in London. The ceremony was watched by an estimated one billion people worldwide. The couple celebrated with two receptions: a grand affair at Buckingham Palace for 600 guests, followed by a more intimate dinner and dance. In April 2025, the couple marked their 14th wedding anniversary with a visit to the Isle of Mull, where they had previously enjoyed a holiday as students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 April 2011 |
| Location | Westminster Abbey |
| Bride | Kate Middleton |
| Groom | Prince William |
| Guests | 1900 guests, including four of William's ex-girlfriends and two of Kate's ex-boyfriends |
| Global Audience | One billion |
| Dress | Ivory lace gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Evening Reception Dress | A-line silk dress and bolero designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Evening Reception | Dinner and dance with 600 guests, hosted by Queen Elizabeth |
| First Dance | Starry Eyed by Ellie Goulding |
| Honeymoon Suite | Buckingham Palace's Belgian Suite |
| Honeymoon Destination | Isle of Mull |
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What You'll Learn
Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding reception
On 29 April 2011, Prince William married his university sweetheart, Kate Middleton, at Westminster Abbey. The wedding ceremony was watched by an estimated one billion people around the world, with a further two billion watching from home.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds set off for Buckingham Palace in the 1902 State Landau, the largest and most splendid horse-drawn carriage used by the sovereign. The couple celebrated with 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.
At the reception, Kate swapped her iconic ivory lace gown for a sleek silk A-line dress paired with a delicate bolero, both designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. William opted for a classic tuxedo. Their favourite chef, Anton Mosimann, prepared a menu featuring organically sourced Welsh crab and lamb from Highgrove, followed by a trio of miniature trifle, chocolate fondant, and homemade ice cream.
Following the speeches, guests were ushered into the throne room for a surprise organised by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton. Harry announced it was "time for some serious partying", and the music was turned up. Ellie Goulding performed her song "Starry Eyed" for the couple's first dance. When the DJ took over, guests requested their favourite songs, with Carole Middleton asking for the 1986 Jermaine Stewart hit "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off". At 2:30 am, the more resilient wedding guests headed outside for a firework display.
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The couple's first dance
The couple celebrated with two receptions after their nuptials: 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.
For their first dance, William and Kate had chosen the song "Starry Eyed" by British singer Ellie Goulding. The couple had been heavily involved with the music selection for their wedding. After their first dance, the DJ took over and guests requested their favourite songs. Carole Middleton asked for the 1986 Jermaine Stewart hit "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" before she and Michael left the youngsters to dance the night away.
At 2:30 am, the more resilient wedding guests made their way out into the gardens for a firework display. Meanwhile, back in the throne room, Prince Harry announced it was "time for some serious partying" and the music was turned up for one last song.
The wedding, which took place on April 29, 2011, was an historic royal event, watched by an estimated one billion people around the world. The ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey, where Kate Middleton, then 29, walked down the maple-tree-lined aisle with her father, Michael Middleton, to meet her husband-to-be, Prince William.
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The Queen's reaction to the wedding
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was an historic occasion, watched by an estimated one billion people around the world. The couple, who married at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011, celebrated with two 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 Queen's presence at the wedding held special significance, as she sat in the front row alongside Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Camilla. The wedding marked an important milestone for the monarchy, following difficult years of marital struggles within the royal family. The Queen's four children had experienced divorces, with both Prince Charles and Princess Anne remarrying.
The wedding celebrations continued into the night, with Prince Harry announcing "time for some serious partying" after the first reception. The party moved to the throne room, where guests danced to music selected by William and Kate, including British singer Ellie Goulding's song "Starry Eyed" for their first dance. The newlyweds then spent their wedding night in the Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace.
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The couple's 14th wedding anniversary
On the 29th of April 2025, Prince William and Kate Middleton celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. The couple marked the occasion with a two-day trip to the Isle of Mull, a place they visited 20 years ago as university students. They were seen arriving in Tobermory wearing matching tweed jackets. The Princess of Wales, dressed in a £549 herringbone blazer, skinny jeans, hiking boots, and a light blue shirt, glowed as she stepped out with her husband, the Duke of Rothesay.
During their visit, the couple sampled whiskey and cooked haggis. They also took part in a water bomb fight with locals, as they had done during their previous visit. William and Kate were described as "just very normal people, without any royal airs and graces" by one source. The couple's trip to the Isle of Mull holds a special significance as it is where they enjoyed a secret holiday as students and fell in love.
The anniversary trip also included a visit to the neighbouring island of Iona, with a focus on the power of community and social connection. William and Kate, both known to be more at home in the countryside, found the time away especially precious after what William described as a "brutal" year. The couple's wedding anniversary in 2025 also marked the first since Catherine's remission from cancer.
Looking back at their wedding day on the 29th of April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony at Westminster Abbey, with an estimated one billion people watching from around the world. The bride, then 29, wore a Sarah Burton-designed dress for Alexander McQueen, featuring a nine-foot train. The couple celebrated with two receptions: a grand affair at Buckingham Palace for 600 guests and an intimate dinner and dance.
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The couple's honeymoon
Prince William and Kate Middleton spent their wedding night in the Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace. The couple then embarked on a honeymoon to the Isle of Mull, a place they had visited as students. They rented Victoria Cottage on Breadalbane Street in Tobermory, where they enjoyed a four-day, self-catering stay with a group of friends. During their honeymoon, William and Kate were described as "just a normal couple enjoying a break away". They took part in activities such as water bomb fights, barbecues, and shopping at the local Co-op. They also visited the local pub and went hiking in the hills.
On their 14th wedding anniversary, the couple returned to the Isle of Mull, this time as the Lord and Lady of the Isles, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. They arrived wearing matching tweed jackets and spent time in Tobermory, visiting a community hub and an artisan market. They also planned to rent a house for the night on the island, celebrating their first wedding anniversary since Catherine's remission from cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince William and Kate Middleton got married at Westminster Abbey.
The wedding was watched by 1,900 guests at Westminster Abbey and an estimated two billion viewers from home.
Kate Middleton wore an ivory lace gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
After the wedding, the couple celebrated with two receptions: the first, a grand affair at Buckingham Palace for 600 guests, and the second, a more intimate dinner and dance.
