Lyla Dejesus
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. The wedding ceremony was televised, giving the public a glimpse into the couple's nuptials. The wedding decor included an avenue of 20-foot tall trees, six field maples and two hornbeams, arranged on either side of the main aisle. The official royal wedding cake was an eight-tier traditional fruitcake decorated with the couple's new cipher and each tier featuring a different floral theme. The couple also had a chocolate biscuit cake made from a Royal Family recipe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Wedding date | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding cake | An eight-tier fruit cake decorated with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers, the couple's new cipher, and each tier had a different floral theme. |
| Wedding cake designer | Fiona Cairns |
| Chocolate biscuit groom's cake | Made by McVitie's from a Royal Family recipe |
| Wedding dress designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Evening reception dress designer | Alexander McQueen |
| Wedding breakfast host | The Queen |
| Wedding gift | Anmer Hall in Norfolk, a 10-bed country estate |
| Secret after-party theme | Caribbean |
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What You'll Learn
Westminster Abbey wedding ceremony
Westminster Abbey in London is one of the most iconic and popular venues for royal weddings. It has served as the location for every coronation since 1066 and was founded by Edward the Confessor to be his royal burial church. The venue is steeped in history and has been the setting for some of the most important religious ceremonies in British history.
The wedding ceremony of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. The royal procession began with William and his brother, Prince Harry, riding in an open-top 1902 State Landau carriage from Clarence House to Westminster Abbey. Thousands of cheering supporters lined the streets of London to show their support for the marriage.
The ceremony itself was a traditional Anglican service with readings from close family members, including Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton. The bride wore a timelessly elegant wedding dress featuring hand-embroidered lace designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The long, flowing train created a stunning sight as the bride walked down the aisle.
The wedding decor included an avenue of 20-foot-tall trees, six field maples, and two hornbeams, arranged on either side of the main aisle. The official royal wedding cake, designed by Fiona Cairns, was a multi-tiered traditional fruitcake decorated with the couple's new cipher. Each tier had a different floral theme, representing the four nations of the United Kingdom: the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock.
The wedding ceremony of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey was a fairytale event that captured the world's attention, with around 2 billion people tuning in to witness the live coverage of their union.
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Official Royal Wedding cake
The official Royal Wedding cake for Prince William and Catherine Middleton's 2011 nuptials was a multi-tiered traditional fruitcake. The cake was designed by British cake designer Fiona Cairns, who was chosen in February 2011. The cake was decorated with the couple's new cipher and each tier had a different floral theme. The English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock were all featured, as were Sweet William, lilies of the valley, and acorns.
The main cake was an eight-tier fruitcake decorated with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers. In total, 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers were crafted to decorate the couple's wedding cake, taking Fiona Cairns and her team five weeks to prepare.
In addition to the main cake, a chocolate biscuit cake was also served at the reception. This was a special request by Prince William, as it was a favourite tea cake of his, his late mother, Princess Diana, and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The cake was made by McVitie's biscuit company and contained 35 pounds of chocolate and 1,700 McVitie's Rich Tea biscuits.
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Memorabilia and merchandising
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was a grand affair, with a range of official memorabilia and merchandising opportunities. The Lord Chamberlain's office approved a range of items, including official mugs, plates, biscuit tins, and porcelain pill pots, all adorned with the couple's intertwined initials under the prince's coronet. The official wording, "To celebrate the marriage of Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton 29 April 2011", was also featured on these items.
The Royal Mint released commemorative coins, including an Alderney £5 engagement coin and an official £5 wedding coin, both showcasing the couple in profile. The Royal Australian Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint also issued commemorative coins, while Canada Post issued a stamp approved by Clarence House. These coins and stamps were highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
The wedding cake itself became a centrepiece of merchandising. The main cake, an eight-tier fruit cake adorned with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers, was crafted by renowned cake designer Fiona Cairns. The cake's design inspired recreations and merchandise, with the couple's cipher and floral themes adorning various products. Additionally, McVitie's created a chocolate biscuit groom's cake from a Royal Family recipe, which was a favourite of Prince William and his late mother, Princess Diana. This cake also gained popularity, with its recipe shared online for enthusiasts to recreate.
The wedding also featured a procession of cars, including a blue, two-seater Aston Martin DB6 Volante (MkII convertible) decorated in the customary newlywed style. The car's number plate, "JUST WED", added a playful touch. This car, a gift to Prince Charles from the Queen, became an iconic symbol of the wedding, with replicas and merchandise featuring its unique design.
Overall, the merchandising and memorabilia surrounding the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton were extensive and carefully curated. The official items, coins, stamps, and cake recreations provided a range of collectible items for enthusiasts worldwide, contributing to the celebration and legacy of the royal wedding.
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The bride's dresses
For her wedding to Prince William, Kate Middleton wore an iconic gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The dress was made from ivory and white satin gazar, with a long-sleeved lace bodice and a full skirt. The lace bodice featured hand-cut lace flowers, which were carefully stitched onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and intricate design. The skirt echoed an earlier design by McQueen, with its soft pleats and gentle padding adding a sense of fullness. The train of the dress measured just under three metres, and the back was finished with 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons. The bride's silk tulle veil was held in place by a Cartier 'halo' tiara, lent to her by the Queen. The veil was embroidered with flowers, incorporating the four floral emblems of the United Kingdom: the English rose, the Scottish thistle, the Welsh daffodil, and the Irish shamrock.
For the evening reception, hosted by Prince Charles, Kate changed into another dress by Alexander McQueen. This was a satin gown with a streamlined design, providing more freedom of movement for the bride.
The bridesmaids' dresses were designed by Nicki Macfarlane and were made from an ivory silk and organza blend. The flower girls' dresses were also designed by Macfarlane and were made from cream-coloured silk and organza.
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The groom's car
For the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the groom's car was a blue, two-seater Aston Martin DB6 Volante (MkII convertible) that had been given to Prince Charles by the Queen as a 21st birthday present. The car was decorated in the customary newlywed style by the best man and friends, with the rear number plate reading "JUST WED". The car was used to drive the newlyweds back up the Mall to Clarence House, the groom's official London residence.
The choice of car was a break from tradition, as Catherine also chose to arrive 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 Westminster Abbey, where the ceremony was held.
The blue Aston Martin was a stylish and elegant choice for the groom's car, reflecting the royal family's taste for luxury and sophistication. The car's convertible design also allowed the couple to enjoy the warm spring weather and connect with the well-wishers who had gathered to celebrate their special day.
Overall, the groom's car played a crucial role in the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, providing a combination of tradition, intimacy, and celebration that reflected the joy and grandeur of the occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place at Westminster Abbey, which has been the venue for most royal weddings since 1918. The ceremony was decorated with an avenue of 20-foot-tall trees, including six field maples and two hornbeams, arranged on either side of the main aisle.
The official royal wedding cake was an eight-tier traditional fruitcake designed by Fiona Cairns. Each tier had a different floral theme, featuring the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock, as well as Sweet William, lilies of the valley, and acorns.
The newlyweds appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in a decorated sports car with the number plate "JUST WED".
