Prince William married his university sweetheart, Princess Kate, at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011, with the ceremony watched by around 17.6 million people from around the world.

The bride made her way down the aisle in her satin and lace wedding dress by Sarah Burton by Alexander McQueen, with the groom sticking to tradition and not turning around to see his future wife until she was by his side.

Cameras caught William’s sweet reaction to seeing Kate for the first time at the altar. “You look lovely,” he is seen to whisper, before adding: “You look beautiful,” as Kate beams with happiness.

William also made a hilarious quip to his proud father-in-law, Michael Middleton, before the ceremony began.

“We’re supposed to have just a small family affair,” he said, according to lip readers.

A royal wedding to remember

The 1,900-strong guest list included friends and family, including William’s grandparents, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, as well as dignitaries, foreign royals and high-profile celebrities.

After exchanging vows, the newlyweds were driven to Buckingham Palace in the 1902 State Landau to watch a flypast from the balcony.

To the crowd’s delight, William and Kate shared two kisses on the balcony before attending their wedding reception hosted by the late Queen.

The newlyweds then returned to Clarence House, with the Prince driving his father’s convertible Aston Martin Volante, which had been decorated with red, white and blue streamers and rosettes and an ‘L’ learner plate on the front.

A private dinner took place at Buckingham Palace by the then Prince of Wales, Charles, with Kate changing into a second gown – a strapless satin number by Sarah Burton, with a cream cardigan.

William and Kate were known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge up until Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, when they became the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Sweet touch

HELLO! recently spoke to the woman who made their spectacular eight-tier wedding cake, Fiona Cairns, for her insight into what really happened on their big day. “I couldn’t quite believe we were actually there; I still can’t, when I think of it,” the celebrity baker said.

We were surrounded by so many famous people – the Beckhams, Guy Ritchie, so many others… it was surreal. I can remember the anticipation. There were big screens inside, and we could hear the excitement from outside. It was history and we were part of it.”

“A few days later, Catherine asked me: ‘Could you see? Did you have a good view?’ I said: ‘Yes, we had a very good view.’ I thought it was so amazing, and so sweet of her to ask me that question.”

Fiona was working with the royal grocer Fortnum & Mason and with Party Pieces, the business run by Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, when she was approached in January 2011.

The baker was invited Clarence House early the next month to meet Kate. “It was a bit like having an interview, but it was more of an informal conversation,” she says. “Kishore was there, and I think [Kate’s brother] James Middleton was, too. We had a cup of tea in a small inner room.”

She was extremely clear about what she wanted; she is very creative, and we knew that the brief very much came from her and William, because even though it was going to be a huge global occasion, at its core, it was a family wedding.”