Franklin Dean
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place on 29 April 2011. The couple opted for a unique and sustainable approach to their wedding decor, choosing to line the aisle of Westminster Abbey with lush trees and foliage, transforming the space into a 'fairytale forest'. The trees, including six field maples and two hornbeams, were later replanted at Prince Charles' home, Llwynywermod, as a lasting memory of the royal couple's special day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding Date | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding Venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Wedding Decor | Avenue of trees, including six field maples and two hornbeams |
| Tree Height | Up to 25 feet tall |
| Tree Symbolism | Field maples symbolise reserve and humility; hornbeams represent resilience and strong love |
| Floral Arrangements | Cream and white blooms, including azaleas, rhododendrons, euphorbias, wisteria, and lilac |
| Cake | Multi-tiered traditional fruitcake decorated with the couple's cipher and floral themes |
| Cake Designer | Fiona Cairns |
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What You'll Learn
- Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
- The wedding cake was a multi-tiered traditional fruitcake decorated with the couple's cipher
- The trees were later replanted at Prince Charles' home, Llwynywermod
- The wedding flowers were seasonal and British, reflecting the bride's English country style
- The wedding was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign royalty and heads of state
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
For her wedding to Prince William on 29 April 2011, Kate Middleton wore a dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The dress featured French Chantilly lace and English Cluny lace throughout the bodice, skirt and underskirt. The flowing skirt, made of ivory and white satin gazar, was designed to emulate an opening flower. The ivory satin bodice was padded slightly at the hip and narrowed at the waist, inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, a particular Alexander McQueen hallmark.
Speculation about the dress designer was rife before the wedding. The Sunday Times reported on 6 March that Middleton had chosen McQueen designer Sarah Burton. Burton was the odds-on favourite to create the dress amongst bookmakers, to the extent that English bookmaker William Hill stopped taking wagers weeks before the event. David Emanuel, co-designer of the wedding dress of Lady Diana Spencer, commented that "If Kate's gone that route, it would be the first time a British-owned house wasn't chosen".
The dress was kept a closely guarded secret until the bride stepped out of her car at Westminster Abbey, where the wedding took place. The Abbey was filled with four tons of foliage, including six field maples and two hornbeams lining the aisle, which were later replanted at Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod.
The dress was widely admired and has been described as one of the most popular styles favoured by brides all over the world. In 2012, Burton was awarded an Order of the British Empire for her services to the fashion industry.
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The wedding cake was a multi-tiered traditional fruitcake decorated with the couple's cipher
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a grand affair, with the couple opting for a unique and sustainable approach to their wedding decor. Instead of the usual floral arrangements, the aisle of Westminster Abbey was lined with lush trees, transforming the space into a "fairytale forest". This greenery served as a beautiful backdrop for the couple's nuptials and was later replanted at Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod.
Now, let's talk about the cake! The wedding cake was not just a dessert but a spectacular centrepiece that embodied the elegance and tradition of the royal wedding. Designed by British cake designer Fiona Cairns, the official royal wedding cake was a multi-tiered traditional fruitcake. Standing at an impressive three feet tall, the cake featured eight tiers, each adorned with a different floral theme. The English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock were artfully incorporated, alongside Sweet William, lilies of the valley, and acorns. The cake was also decorated with the couple's new cipher, adding a personalised touch to the majestic creation.
Fiona Cairns, the pastry chef behind this masterpiece, revealed that the Duchess of Cambridge played a significant role in the design process. Kate's clear vision and involvement ensured that the cake reflected her style and preferences. The cake was not only visually stunning but also symbolised tradition, as fruitcakes have been the English wedding cake of choice since Queen Victoria's time.
The cake was displayed in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace, where its grandeur and intricate details were captured in photographs. However, it is important to note that the actual cake on display was not served to the guests. Instead, Cairns and her team cut 600 slices of fruitcake for the wedding breakfast, ensuring that the guests could still enjoy the delicious flavours.
In addition to the fruitcake, William and Kate also served a chocolate biscuit cake, a childhood favourite of the groom. This cake, created by the McVitie's biscuit company, contained 35 pounds of chocolate and 1,700 McVitie's Rich Tea biscuits. It was a no-bake cake, featuring layers of biscuits, buttercream, and a lovely ganache coating. This second cake added a whimsical and personal touch to the wedding, reflecting the groom's tastes and creating a lasting memory for the couple and their guests.
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The trees were later replanted at Prince Charles' home, Llwynywermod
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place on 29 April 2011. The couple opted for a unique and sustainable wedding decor, filling Westminster Abbey with lush trees and foliage. The aisle was lined with six field maples and two hornbeams, creating a romantic "avenue of trees" up to 25 feet tall. The trees were carefully selected to symbolise reserve, humility, and strong love in the language of flowers.
After the wedding, the trees were replanted at Prince Charles' home, Llwynywermod in Wales. The Welsh property, purchased by Prince Charles in 2007, boasts three cottages, a Grade II-listed barn, and a main house surrounded by acres of countryside. The replanting of the trees at Llwynywermod ensures they continue to thrive and serve as a lasting memory of the royal couple's special day.
The wedding decorations also included an impressive floral display, with almost 30,000 flowers adorning Westminster Abbey. The flowers, in shades of white, cream, and green, were chosen to reflect the bride's English country style. The official royal wedding cake was a multi-tiered traditional fruitcake, decorated with the couple's new cipher and floral themes.
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a grand affair, with 1,900 guests in attendance, including foreign royalty and heads of state. The couple's love story captivated the world, and their wedding decorations, particularly the trees, left a lasting impression. The replanting of the trees at Prince Charles' home is a testament to the royal family's commitment to sustainability and the preservation of memories.
Llwynywermod, with its beautiful gardens and surrounding countryside, provides a serene backdrop for the majestic trees to flourish. The replanting of the trees not only ensures their longevity but also creates a living reminder of the royal wedding, a symbol of love and unity that will continue to grow and inspire for years to come.
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The wedding flowers were seasonal and British, reflecting the bride's English country style
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a highly anticipated event, with many fans curious about the decorations and flowers that would adorn the iconic Westminster Abbey setting. The couple opted for a unique and sustainable approach to their wedding decor, choosing to line the aisle with lush trees and seasonal flowers, reflecting the bride's English country style.
Kate Middleton's floral plans for her wedding day included an avenue of trees, specifically six field maples and two hornbeams, which flanked the route to the altar. These trees, which can grow up to 50 feet tall, were a striking addition to the abbey and created a "fairytale forest" atmosphere. The field maples, a native English tree, symbolised reserve and humility, while the hornbeams represented resilience in the language of flowers.
The rest of the floral arrangements for the wedding included blooms of cream and white, with a focus on seasonal and British varieties. Azaleas, rhododendrons, euphorbias, wisteria, lilac, and lily of the valley were among the flowers chosen, reflecting the neutral colour palette of white, cream, and green selected by the royal couple. Many of these flowers were sourced from the Sandringham and Windsor estates, emphasising the couple's connection to the royal estates and their commitment to sustainability.
The wedding cake, designed by British cake designer Fiona Cairns, also incorporated floral themes. Each tier of the traditional fruitcake featured a different flower, including the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock. The cake was decorated with the couple's new cipher, adding a personal touch to the confectionery display.
After the wedding, the trees were replanted at Prince Charles ' Welsh home, Llwynywermod, where they continue to serve as a lasting memory of the royal couple's special day. The flowers and foliage were also replanted, with visitors to Westminster Abbey able to enjoy them until they, too, were returned to the royal estates. Overall, the wedding flowers and decor of Prince William and Kate Middleton reflected a thoughtful blend of sustainability, symbolism, and a celebration of the bride's English country style.
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The wedding was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign royalty and heads of state
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a grand affair, with an estimated 1900 guests in attendance. The guest list included a mix of foreign royalty, heads of state, and other notable individuals.
Among the foreign royal guests were representatives of various European monarchies. The Queen of Denmark, the groom's third cousin, once removed, was in attendance, as was the Crown Princess of Sweden and her husband, representing the King of Sweden. The King and Queen of Norway, the groom's second cousin, twice removed, were also present, as were the Queen of Spain and the Prince and Princess of Asturias, the groom's third cousin.
Other royal guests included the Margrave and Margravine of Baden, the groom's first cousin once removed, and the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the groom's father and stepmother. The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex were also in attendance.
In addition to royalty, several political and diplomatic figures attended the wedding. Commonwealth leaders, including governors-general, prime ministers, and heads of government, were present. The diplomatic corps and military officials were also represented, as were members of religious organizations. Notable British political figures such as the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain and the Secretary of State for Justice, the Lord President of the Council and Deputy Prime Minister, and the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales were also in attendance.
The wedding, with its impressive guest list, showcased the couple's connections to foreign royalty and their standing within the British royal family.
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Frequently asked questions
Kate and William used six field maples and two hornbeams to line the aisle of Westminster Abbey.
The trees were later taken to Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod, and planted there.
The trees were chosen to be in keeping with the wedding's sustainable ethos. The flowers and foliage used were seasonal and British.
The couple's wedding cake was a multi-tiered traditional fruitcake decorated with the couple's new cipher and each tier had a different floral theme. The wedding venue was also adorned with almost 30,000 flowers, including azaleas and blossoms.
