Deborah Chan
On 29 April 2011, Prince William married Catherine Middleton in Westminster Abbey, London. The wedding was not a full state occasion as William was not the heir apparent at the time. However, the occasion was made a public holiday in the UK, and the ceremony was attended by around 1900 guests, including foreign royal family members, diplomats, and the couple's chosen personal guests. The newlyweds, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, travelled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 April 2011 |
| Location | Westminster Abbey, London, England |
| Guest list | 1,900 guests, including foreign royal family members, heads of state, and celebrities |
| Decorations | Eight 20-foot-high trees (six English Field Maple and two Hornbeam) |
| Bride's dress | Ivory and white satin gazar ballgown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Bride's bouquet | Lily-of-the-valley, hyacinths, a sprig of myrtle, and Sweet William |
| Groom's attire | Red fabric that matched the page boys' uniforms |
| Best man | Prince Harry, Prince William's brother |
| Maid of honour | Pippa Middleton, Kate's sister |
| Officiant | Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury |
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What You'll Learn
Westminster Abbey
Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding ceremony took place on Friday, 29 April 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. The couple had been in a relationship since 2003, and their engagement was announced on 16 November 2010. The build-up to the wedding and the occasion itself attracted much media attention. The occasion was made a public holiday in the United Kingdom, and events were held across the Commonwealth to mark the wedding.
The ceremony started at 11 am, with the bride arriving at the abbey by car. Westminster Abbey was decorated with six 20-foot-high English Field Maple trees and two Hornbeam trees. The floral design at the Abbey was handled by London-based floral designer Shane Connolly and his team.
The Dean of Westminster, John Hall, officiated for most of the service, with Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, as celebrant of the marriage. The Archbishop of Canterbury solemnised the marriage, pronouncing William and Catherine as man and wife. Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, preached the sermon, and a reading was given by Catherine's brother, James.
After the signing of the registers, William and Catherine walked down the aisle, pausing to bow and curtsey to the Queen. They were followed in procession by other members of the bridal party and their families. On leaving Westminster Abbey, to the pealing of bells, they passed through a guard of honour and were greeted by cheers from the crowds.
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The Goring Hotel
The hotel's Deluxe Garden View Rooms feature spectacular silk-lined walls and delightful garden views, with marble bathrooms and separate walk-in showers. The Executive Rooms offer striking designs and seating areas, while the Superior Rooms provide spacious comfort with Italian linens and bespoke furniture. The Goring also has interconnecting bedrooms, perfect for families.
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Buckingham Palace balcony appearance
The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton took place on Friday, 29 April 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. After the ceremony, the couple made a traditional appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. This balcony is known for its unforgettable view, and the room behind it has recently been opened to the public for the first time.
The Buckingham Palace balcony has been the site of many significant moments in the history of the British royal family. It has been used to celebrate the birthdays of sovereigns, with the king or queen and their family appearing on the balcony after processing on horseback and in carriages. This tradition, known as "Trooping the Colour", dates back to 1851 and is held annually on a Saturday in June. The balcony appearance is meant to "enable the royal family to connect with the people".
The balcony has also been used following coronations, with the newly crowned monarch appearing with their family and attendants. In addition, the balcony has been used for more casual gatherings of the royal family, such as when Prince William and Catherine Middleton, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, appeared together after their wedding.
There are strict protocols surrounding balcony appearances at Buckingham Palace. The group gathered on the balcony is tailored to each occasion, but it always includes the monarch and their spouse (if living), as well as the first and second in line to the throne, along with their spouses (if applicable) and potentially their children. One steadfast rule is "no ring, no bring", meaning that boyfriends and girlfriends are not allowed.
The room behind the Buckingham Palace balcony, known as the Centre Room, has recently been opened to the public as part of a broader renovation of the palace. Visitors can now take guided tours of the East Wing, which houses the Centre Room, and get a glimpse of what it is like to look out from the famous balcony.
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The wedding procession
The bridal procession began at the Goring Hotel, where Catherine Middleton, her father, Michael Middleton, and the rest of the bridal party, including her sister and maid of honour, Pippa Middleton, two page boys, and four bridesmaids, were staying. They travelled the short distance to Westminster Abbey by car, with Catherine and her father, Michael, in a vintage black Rolls-Royce.
The bridal party led the way into the Abbey, with Pippa Middleton in a gown by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, and the bridesmaids in dresses by Nicki Macfarlane. The page boys wore a uniform based on a Foot Guards officer's uniform, in a red fabric that matched Prince William's ensemble.
Catherine Middleton, wearing a wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, carried a bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, Sweet William, ivy, myrtle, and hyacinth. She walked down the aisle with her father, Michael Middleton, who gave her away. The aisle was lined with eight 20-foot-high trees: six English Field Maples and two Hornbeams.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, travelled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace, where they appeared on the balcony to greet the crowds.
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The wedding cake
Cairns described the process of creating the cake as an "architectural project", requiring a team of six people and three days of work to assemble. The cake was intentionally more modest and smaller than other royal wedding cakes, as Catherine did not want a very tall cake. It was decorated with the bride and groom's monogram and 17 types of flowers, including the national flowers of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, as well as lily of the valley.
The cake was displayed in the picture gallery at Buckingham Palace, where the couple celebrated after the ceremony. It took two and a half days to assemble and was served at breakfast on the day of the wedding, with 600 separate slices cut and an additional 4,000 slices sent out as gifts by the Prince of Wales.
The cake was a significant part of the wedding, which took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 29 April 2011. The ceremony was attended by the couple's families, foreign royalty, diplomats, and personal guests, with nearly 2,000 people in attendance. The occasion was marked by events across the Commonwealth, including over 5,000 street parties in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Will and Kate got married at Westminster Abbey in London, England.
Will and Kate got married on Friday, 29 April 2011.
The ceremony started at 11 am BST.
