Rhiannon Hendricks
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey featured a variety of musical performances. The ceremony included a mix of well-known hymns, choral works, and specially commissioned pieces. The couple's wedding reception featured a surprise performance by the newlyweds themselves, who danced to You're the One That I Want from the musical Grease. Other notable performances at the reception included Ellie Goulding, who serenaded the couple with her hit tracks, and dance music star Avicii. The wedding music also included organ pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach and orchestral works by Edward Elgar and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who was commissioned to write music with a Scottish feel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Wedding | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding Venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Music During Guests' Arrival | Organ music by Johann Sebastian Bach, orchestral pieces by Edward Elgar, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, and more |
| Wedding Songs | "Farewell to Stromness", "Touch Her Soft Lips and Part", "Romance for String Orchestra Op. 11", "I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me", "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer", "God Save The Queen", "Love Divine All Loves Excelling", "You're the One That I Want" from "Grease" |
| Performers | Ellie Goulding, Avicii, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli |
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What You'll Learn
Kate and William's wedding ceremony music
Music played a pivotal role in Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding ceremony on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. The couple took a great interest in choosing the music for their special day, which included well-known hymns, choral works, and specially commissioned pieces. The ceremony featured a mix of brass, strings, orchestral percussion, and pipe organ music.
As guests arrived, they were greeted with organ music by Johann Sebastian Bach and orchestral pieces by renowned composers such as Edward Elgar and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Queen's composer, was specifically commissioned to create music with a "Scottish feel" for the wedding, reflecting the couple's love story connected to Scotland.
The bridal processional music for Kate Middleton was "I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me," which was also included in a shorter version. Other notable pieces played during the ceremony were "The Arrival of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh: Fanfare," "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer," "God Save the Queen" (the British National Anthem), and "Love Divine All Loves Excelling."
The royal wedding ceremony also included hymns and choral works. Ellie Goulding serenaded the newlyweds with her hit tracks at the wedding reception, and the couple even surprised their guests with a performance of "You're the One That I Want" from the musical Grease.
Overall, the music selections for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding ceremony showcased a blend of traditional and contemporary pieces, creating a memorable and personalized atmosphere for their royal nuptials.
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The Grease performance
After a performance by pop star Ellie Goulding, the newlyweds took to the dance floor, holding hands and grinning. As the opening bars of "You're the One That I Want" from the musical Grease began to play, William and Kate performed an impromptu lip-synced rendition of the song, channelling their inner Danny and Sandy. The couple danced and mouthed the words, made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, looking into each other's eyes.
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Ellie Goulding's performance
Goulding performed a mixture of her own songs and cover versions at the wedding reception, including The Killers' "Mr. Brightside," Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," and Elton John's "Your Song," which was the couple's first dance. She recalled feeling nervous about performing the first dance but was relieved when William and Kate expressed their appreciation.
In the lead-up to the wedding, Goulding kept her involvement a closely guarded secret, even from her close friends and family. She recalled how difficult it was to keep quiet as everyone around her was eagerly discussing the upcoming nuptials. Despite her efforts, the news eventually leaked, but she was glad to have kept it under wraps for a while.
Goulding has since reflected on her performance at the royal wedding, calling it a game-changer for her career. She has also shared her thoughts on the couple themselves, describing them as lovely people and a really awesome couple. Goulding's connection to the royal family extended beyond just William and Kate, as she also formed close bonds with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, frequently socialising with them and their partners.
Years later, in 2023, Goulding reunited with William and Kate at the Earthshot Awards, where she was one of several performers, including Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox, and Chloe x Halle. The couple's Christmas carol concert that year also featured a performance by Goulding, where she sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The concert was held at Westminster Abbey, the same location where the couple had exchanged their wedding vows, further emphasising the enduring connection between the singer and the royal couple.
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Avicii's performance
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton featured a performance by the popular dance music star, Avicii. Avicii, whose real name is Tim Bergling, described the royal couple as "humble". He also stated that performing at the royal wedding was an "honour".
Avicii adapted the lyrics of one of his hit songs to:
> "I met Carl Philip in Ibiza, where we got to hang out and talk for some time."
The performance by Avicii was one of the many musical performances at the wedding. The couple had chosen the musicians and hymns for their wedding ceremony, which took place at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011. The ceremony featured the bridal processional, hymns, and other music played by the organ, orchestra, and pipe organ. The London Chamber Orchestra and the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the RAF also performed at the wedding.
The couple danced to 'You're The One That I Want' from Grease in the Buckingham Palace Throne Room in 2011.
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Organ music by Johann Sebastian Bach
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton featured organ music by Johann Sebastian Bach, alongside orchestral pieces by Edward Elgar, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, and others. The music for the ceremony was chosen by the couple, with the help of Prince Charles, and included a number of well-known hymns and choral works, as well as specially commissioned pieces.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a prolific German composer and organist whose works are emblematic of the Baroque period. His compositions for organ are extensive and include chorale preludes, partitas, fantasias, toccatas, and passacaglia, among others.
The catalogue of Bach's compositions uses the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV) numbering system, which organises his works into a comprehensive range. The BWV 500-771 range, for example, includes chorale preludes, while the later BWV 1085, 1090-1120, and 1128 are also indicated as chorale settings for organ.
Some notable organ works by Bach include the BWV 595 Concerto in C major, BWV 596 Concerto in D minor, and BWV 620 Christus, der uns selig macht. The BWV 691-693 range also features organ compositions, though their authorship is uncertain or has been challenged, with pieces like BWV 691a and BWV 692 attributed to other composers.
The organ music of Johann Sebastian Bach continues to be celebrated and practised by organists worldwide, with modern publications offering collections of his works for educational and performance purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
The couple performed "You're the One That I Want" from "Grease" at their wedding reception.
Yes, Ellie Goulding serenaded the newlyweds with several of her hit tracks.
Guests arrived to organ music by Johann Sebastian Bach and orchestral pieces by Edward Elgar, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, and more.
Prince William and Kate Middleton chose the music for their wedding, which included well-known hymns and choral works, as well as specially commissioned pieces. Prince Charles also suggested some pieces of music.
The album included "I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me", "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer", "God Save the Queen", "Love Divine All Loves Excelling", and more.
