Franklin Dean
On 29 April 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton were married at Westminster Abbey in front of 1,900 guests, with two billion more watching from home. The wedding was a grand affair, with Kate wearing a gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The couple's first dance was to Starry Eyed, performed by Ellie Goulding. Prince Harry, William's brother, was the best man, and he made a touching speech about his late mother, Princess Diana, and how much she would have loved Kate. Harry also planned a surprise party for the couple in the throne room, complete with strobe lights, a disco ball, and a cocktail bar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 April 2011 |
| Location | Westminster Abbey |
| Number of guests | 1,900 guests at the ceremony; 2 billion watching from home |
| Bride's dress | Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Bride's father | Michael Middleton |
| Best man | Prince Harry (according to some sources) |
| First dance song | Starry Eyed by Ellie Goulding |
| Fireworks | Yes |
| Wedding night location | Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace |
| Honeymoon | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding dress
The dress was a fitted white V-neck gown with a long-sleeved lace overlay and a nine-foot train. The lace appliqué bodice was created using the traditional Carrickmacross lace-making technique, with floral motifs cut out of lace produced on 19th-century machines and stitched to machine net. The dress also featured gazar and organza-covered buttons down the back, fastened by Rouleau loops. The skirt was designed to echo an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats that pooled into a nearly nine-foot train.
The choice of designer was kept a closely guarded secret in the months leading up to the wedding. Burton's name was only officially revealed as the designer on the morning of the wedding. In a statement, Buckingham Palace explained that Kate had chosen the British designer for "the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing."
The dress was very well-received by fashion experts, who noted that the design was largely traditional and inspired by dresses from the 1950s. It is said to have influenced wedding fashion in the years following the royal wedding.
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Prince Harry's speech
Although Prince Harry was not officially the best man at his brother Prince William's wedding, he did act as compere, or master of ceremonies, for the speeches during the reception. In his introductory speech, he made a risqué joke about a fur thong a fan had made for Kate as a wedding present, which roused laughter from the guests. He then closed his remarks with a touching reference to his and William's mother, the late Princess Diana:
> "Mummy: How she'd have loved to have been here. How she'd have loved Kate, and how she'd have loved seeing this love you've found together."
Harry also reflected on the wedding in his memoir, *Spare*, which was published in 2023. In the book, he claimed that the ceremony itself was mostly a blank in his mind, but he did recall Kate walking down the aisle and the married couple's exit into their carriage. He also wrote warmly of his sister-in-law joining the royal family, but reflected that the marriage of his only brother marked a moment of deep personal sadness.
After the wedding ceremony, Harry and Pippa Middleton had arranged a surprise for the guests in the throne room, where the chandeliers had been replaced with strobe lights and disco balls. The thrones had also been moved to make way for a cocktail bar and a DJ booth. Harry also announced that it was time for some "serious partying", and the guests partied into the early hours of the morning.
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The ceremony
The wedding ceremony was attended by the couple's families, members of foreign royal families, diplomats, politicians, celebrities, and the couple's chosen personal guests. The Dean of Westminster, John Hall, presided over the service, while the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, conducted the marriage. The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, preached the sermon, and a reading was given by Catherine's brother, James. William's best man was his brother, Prince Harry, and Catherine's sister, Pippa, was the maid of honour.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds made their way to Buckingham Palace in the Imperial State Landau, the same carriage used by Princess Diana and Prince Charles after their wedding. They later departed in a 1969 Aston Martin with the cheeky license plate "JU5T WED." The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was a highly anticipated event, attracting much media attention and being compared to the wedding of William's parents in 1981.
On the other hand, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding ceremony was held on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, UK. The wedding date was unusual as it fell on a Saturday, breaking with the royal tradition of holding weddings on weekdays. The ceremony was officiated by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, using the standard Anglican church service for Holy Matrimony. The wedding incorporated elements of African-American culture and included a reading by Meghan's friend, Lady Jane Fellowes.
About 250 members of the British Armed Forces participated in the wedding, with the majority coming from units connected to Prince Harry. The Household Cavalry formed a staircase party and provided an escort. The ceremony was attended by members of the British royal family, including Prince William, Catherine Middleton, Prince Charles, and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as American celebrities and Meghan's friends. In the absence of Meghan's father, Prince Charles walked her down the aisle, which Meghan appreciated as her father-in-law.
The wedding ceremony was followed by a luncheon reception, where Elton John performed, and a private evening affair with a speech by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, and a best man's speech by the Duke of Cambridge. The wedding cake was a layered lemon and elderflower cake decorated with peonies, designed by London-based baker Claire Ptak. The event concluded with a fireworks display above Frogmore House.
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The reception
The wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton was an unforgettable event filled with emotion, joy, and celebration. The newlyweds, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, arrived at Buckingham Palace to greet 650 guests invited to the champagne reception. The throne room, usually adorned with priceless chandeliers, was transformed for the occasion. Strobe lights and glitter balls replaced the elegant chandeliers, casting a festive glow on the giant dance floor. The thrones were moved aside to make room for a cocktail bar and a DJ booth, setting the stage for an evening of music and dancing.
The menu for the royal reception was carefully crafted by William and Kate's favourite chef, Anton Mosimann. Guests were treated to a culinary journey featuring organically sourced Welsh crab and lamb from Highgrove, followed by a trio of miniature trifles, chocolate fondant, and homemade ice cream. The food was not only delicious but also reflected the couple's appreciation for sustainable and local ingredients.
As the evening progressed, the guests were entertained by a surprise planned by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton, Kate's sister. The dynamic duo had arranged for British singer Ellie Goulding to perform her song "Starry Eyed" for the newlyweds' first dance. The choice of song held a special meaning for the couple, creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere. The guests, including members of the royal family and dignitaries, joined in the celebrations, with Charles and Camilla taking to the dance floor during Goulding's performance of Elton John's "Your Song."
The final speech of the evening was delivered by William's friends Thomas van Straubenzee and James Meade, who shared a humorous anecdote about a night out involving a ladies' thong. As the night drew closer to its end, Prince Harry, the best man, announced that it was time for some "serious partying." The guests moved outdoors, where a spectacular firework display illuminated the night sky. As the final rocket soared, William and Kate made their grand exit in an open-topped Fiat 500, crossing the courtyard to the Belgian Suite, where they spent their first night as husband and wife.
The wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a testament to the couple's love and commitment. It brought together family, friends, and well-wishers from around the world. The attention to detail, from the transformed throne room to the carefully selected menu, created an atmosphere of elegance and joy. The reception celebrated not only the union of two individuals but also the coming together of two families, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
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The wedding guests
Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding was a grand affair, with 1,900 guests in attendance at Westminster Abbey, and a further two billion watching from home. The couple also invited 650 guests to their champagne reception.
The wedding party was a break from tradition, with the couple choosing their siblings to stand beside them. Prince Harry was best man, and he also acted as compere, or master of ceremonies, during the speeches at the reception. Harry made a risqué joke about a fur thong a fan had made for Kate as a wedding present, which had the guests in laughter. He ended his speech with a touching tribute to his mother, saying:
> "Mummy: How she'd have loved to have been here. How she'd have loved Kate, and how she'd have loved seeing this love you've found together."
Harry also planned a late-night after-party for 300 of the couple's closest friends and family, which ended with a "survivors" breakfast at 6 am. At 2:30 am, the more resilient guests were treated to a firework display, and then William and Kate were driven across the courtyard in an open-topped Fiat 500 to the Belgian Suite. But the night was not over for Harry, who declared it was time for some "serious partying". He crowd-surfed and stage-dived, and delivered a hilarious best-man speech.
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Frequently asked questions
29 April 2011.
Westminster Abbey, London.
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Prince Harry.
The overall cost of the event was estimated to be £23.7 million.
19 May 2018.
St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Givenchy.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.
A layered lemon and elderflower cake decorated with peonies.
