William & Kate: wedding highlights
Posted June 10, 2011 8:52 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Want to know more about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge? Or want to recapture the special moments of the royal wedding on April 29?
This section features a wedding recap, wedding photos, biographies of the royal couple, and other information.
- 680News Royal Visit page: Details on Prince William and Catherine’s upcoming visit to Canada
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Royal wedding recap
Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, respectively, wed on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London.
An estimated audience of two billion people around the world tuned in to watch the future king and queen exchange vows. One million people packed the streets of London to watch the historic day unfold.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams presided over the wedding ceremony, which got underway at around 11 a.m., in front of around 1,900 guests.
One of the most thrilling moments of the day was when Kate arrived at the Abbey, unveiling her wedding dress, which was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.
Kate Middleton in her wedding dress (Photo by: ©ZUMAPRESS.com/Keystone Press)
TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Throne Room, Buckingham Palace
(Photo by: Hugo Burnand (royal.gov.uk)
Wedding attire details
Kate Middleton:
- Ivory gown with lace applique: designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen
- 1936 Cartier “halo” tiara: lent to Kate by Queen Elizabeth II — her father King George VI (then the Duke of York) bought it for his wife, Elizabeth, the Queen mum; Queen received it on her 18th-birthday
- Diamond earrings: designed by Robinson Pelham, features the new Middleton-family crest; gift from her parents
- Ring: Keeping with royal wedding tradition, made from a piece of Welsh gold, given to William by the Queen; designed by Wartski
- Bridal bouquet: myrtle, lily of the valley, sweet William and hyacinth
- Carrickmacross lace-work (something old), diamond earrings (something new), Queen’s tiara (something borrowed) and blue ribbon sewn into gown boddice (something blue)
Prince William:
Irish Guards Mounted Officer’s uniform in Guard of Honour Order; fitted by Kashket and Partners
- Order of the Garter blue sash: affixed with Royal Air Force wings and Golden Jubilee Medal
- Red tunic: Irish Guards’ arrangement of buttons, which feature the Harp of Ireland surmounted by the Crown Imperial
- Guard of Honour Order forage cap: eight-pointed Star of the Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick, features Regiment’s motto ‘Quis Separabit?’ (‘Who shall separate us?’)
Pippa Middleton served as maid of honour while Prince Harry was the best man. The Duchess’ father, Michael Middleton, walked her down the aisle.
The London Chamber Orchestra, the Westminster Abbey Choir, the Chapel Royal Choir, and Central Band of the Royal Air Force ensemble provided the ceremonial music.
Notable music
- Bride procession: “I was Glad,” (from Psalm 22), by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry; composed for the 1902 coronation of Edward VII, William’s great-great-great grandfather; also performed at wedding for his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana
- Congregational hymn: “Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer,” Welsh hymn by preacher William Williams; sung at Diana’s funeral in 1997
After the ceremony, the newlyweds headed to Buckingham Palace in an open-top carriage in a royal procession along The Mall, greeted by an adoring and cheering crowd that packed the route.
Tens of thousands of people waited on the grounds of Buckingham Palace for the royal balcony appearance at around 1:25 p.m. Willam and Kate surprised everyone with not one, but two kisses. A special RAF fly-past also took place.
Two reception parties were held at Buckingham Palace — an afternoon one hosted by the Queen for 650 guests, and an evening one for 300 close friends, hosted by the Prince Charles.
The couple did not leave for their honeymoon right away. William returned to his job as a search-and-rescue pilot for the Royal Air Force. Ten days later, they left for their honeymoon on a private island in the Seychelles.
The couple are currently living on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, which is where William is based with the RAF.
Engagement
Hello! Canada magazine cover; Nov. 18, 2010 (Photo courtesy of: Hello! Canada)
The engagement of William and Kate was announced by Clarence House on Nov. 16, 2010. They were engaged in October 2010 while vacationing in Kenya.
Prince William gave his bride-to-be his mother Princess Diana’s engagement ring, an 18-carat white gold with 12-carat oval sapphire. It was given to him by his father Prince Charles.
Related links:
Royal wedding
Photos
- Royal wedding day
- Royal wedding photo stream (British Monarchy)
- London before the wedding (filed by reporter Carl Hanstke)
Official sites
- Duke of Cambridge: bio, interests, etc.
- Duchess of Cambridge: bio, interests, etc.
