This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Prince William and Catherine “Kate” Middleton’s royal wedding. The ceremony took place on April 29, 2011 at 11 a.m. and was watched by over 2 billion people across the globe. The prime minister even announced the day as a national holiday. Here is a look back on the day to celebrate the couple’s ten-year mark:
Pre-Ceremony
Kate made her way to Westminster Abbey, the church where the ceremony took place, by car with her father by her side. Her emergence from the car upon her arrival gave the world the first full look of her dress – and fans were not disappointed.
The long-sleeve dress, designed by Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton, featured lace with the United Kingdom’s flowers sewn into it: rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock. It also had a train of almost nine feet. Her veil featured hand-embroidered flowers along the edge. Kate also wore the Cartier Halo Tiara, loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth II. Her bouquet consisted of myrtle, lily of the valley, ivy, hyacinth and sweet William.
The Ceremony
Kate walked down the nearly 300-foot aisle at the ceremony. Prince William did not turn around until she reached him, as according to tradition. The prince wore the uniform of an Irish Guard officer, where he is a colonel, along with his Garter sash, golden jubilee medal and British air force wings.
Pippa Middleton, sister of the bride, served as the maid of honor with Prince Harry as the best man. The couple used traditional wedding vows, but said their own written prayer. Kate, who’s engagement ring once belonged to Princess Diana, had a wedding ring made of a rare Welsh gold. Prince William chose not to wear a ring as he has never been a fan of jewelry. A total of almost 1,900 people were present at the ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth also recognized the couple’s marriage by giving them the titles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
(Ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldhYnMFHKak)
Post-Ceremony
After the ceremony ended, the couple stepped out from Westminster Abbey together and rode a carriage to Buckingham Palace. Soldiers and marching bands were with them as they rode through the streets filled with more than one million people.
Upon arrival, William and Kate appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony, where they kissed not once, but twice, in front of an excited crowd. The balcony tradition was first started in 1858 at the wedding of Princess Victoria.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana, William’s parents, were the first to kiss on the balcony in 1981. The couple later left in Charles’ Aston Martin, which carried balloons and had a license plate that said “JU5T WED.”
Reception
The royal couple actually had two receptions to celebrate their wedding. The first was a luncheon for 650 people hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. They had a three foot tall eight tier wedding cake that consisted of 17 single fruit cakes and 900 iced flowers and leaves. The second was a dinner presented by Prince Charles. Kate changed into a satin white dress, also designed by Burton, that was easier to navigate in for this occasion.
Ten Years Later
Since their wedding ten years ago, William and Kate have had three children: Prince George (2013), Princess Charlotte (2015) and Prince Louis (2018). Along with raising their children, the couple has focused on their royal duties and charity work. Here’s to many more decades of a happy marriage to the royal couple!
Rebekah Davidson
Intern