William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge – second in line of succession to the throne of the Commonwealth Realms – the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis – married Miss Kate Middleton two years ago in what was the wedding of the decade, if not of the century. And he married her in Westminster Abbey, London. The engagement ring? Nothing else but the famous sapphire that once belonged to the groom’s mother, Princess Diana.
The wedding was attended by 1,900 guests including government, clergy, royalty and celebrities such as David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Elton John and Guy Ritchie.
- Queen Elizabeth II, Mother of the Groom, on her way to the ceremony
Maid of Honor and flower girls
Here comes the Bride!
The dress and the train…
… and the shoes!
Westminster Abbey was decorated by florist Shane Connolly with trees from the royal estates and with flowers including Azaleas, lilacs, rhododendron and wisteria.
The bride walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, Michael Middleton, to ”I was Glad” by Hubert Hastings Parry. Her sister and maid of honor, Pippa Middleton, wore a white cowl neck dress by Alice Temperley, and carried her train.
Kate wore a long-sleeved lace wedding dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The bodice, skirt and underskirt of the gown were made of French Chantilly and English lace. The full skirt was made with white satin gazar arches and pleats representing an opening flower.
Hairstylists James Pryce and Richard Ward gave Kate a side part and swept back her hair from her face pinning it discreetly at the back in a demi chignon. A tulle veil rested at the crown of her head and was held in place by the Cartier “halo” tiara, made in 1936. The delicate headpiece was lent to Kate by the Queen.
As a gift from her parents, Middleton wore diamond earrings by Robinson Pelham with acorn motifs, inspired by the new Middleton-family crest.
The bridal bouquet was shield-shaped and included myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, Sweet William and hyacinth.
William wore the uniform of the Colonel of the Irish Guards featuring a scarlet jacket, gold and crimson sash, gold sword slings and a forage cap.
Two choirs, one orchestra and two fanfare teams performed during the hour-long service including The Chapel Royal Choir and The London Chamber Orchestra.
The couple recited vows and a prayer they wrote for the occasion before William presented Kate with a wedding band made of Welsh gold created by Wartski.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William declared: “I pronounce that they be man and wife together.”
After signing the registry, “Crown Imperial” by William Walton was performed as the couple exited the church.
They rode in the 1902 State Landau car to a reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace for 650 guests.
Just Married!
The lunch menu included a selection of canapes such as cornish crab salad on a lemon blini, pressed duck terrine with fruit chutney and roulade of goat cheese with caramelized walnuts.
The couple then greeted the cheering crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace:
… where the couple exchanged their first official, public kiss.
Guests toasted the newlyweds with Pol Roger NV Brut Réserve Champagne while harpist Claire Jones provided an elegant musical atmosphere.
For dessert, baker Fiona Cairns created a wedding cake made from 17 individual fruit cakes forming eight tiers. A chocolate biscuit groom’s cake for Prince William was created by Mcvitie’s Cake Company.
Cake detail
William and Kate departed the luncheon in his father’s vintage Aston Martin convertible which was decorated with balloons and a license plate that read “Just Wed.”
Later that evening, Prince Charles hosted a dinner dance for the couple at Buckingham Palace.
Kate changed into a second gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen described as a white satin strapless evening gown with a circle skirt and diamante detailing around the waist. William wore a formal black tuxedo.
The couple shared their first dance to Elton John’s ballad “Your Song” performed by Ellie Goulding.
The dinner menu included a crab starter, a beef filet main dish and a trio of desserts, The desserts were custom-made by brother of the bride’s, James Middleton’s, Cake Kit Company, including chocolate pudding, ice cream and brandy, and a blackberry-raspberry concoction.
A DJ played a mix of classic and rock songs as 350 guests danced all night long. The final song of the evening was “Sex on Fire,” by Kings of Leon.
As favors, guests received two chocolate cupcakes featuring Mario Testino’s iconic shot of the happy couple on top.
William and Kate spent their wedding night at Buckingham Palace followed by a weekend at their home in Angelsey, Wales. They honeymooned a few weeks later at Desroches Island in the Seychelles.
Happy Second Anniversary – and expecting!!
