The future monarchs celebrate their crystal wedding anniversary today, and we remember that historic day when the bride said "I do" in a spectacular design reminiscent of Grace Kelly's.
Few weddings have generated as much buzz as that of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Since their engagement was announced in November 2010, ten years after they met at university, the event gained prominence far beyond British borders. The big day arrived on April 29, 2011, under a cloud of cameras and broadcasts from around the world.
Theirs marked a new era, being the first wedding defined by new technologies. Media outlets from every country provided extensive coverage, broadcasting live from London. An event that could also be followed, for the first time, on social media, reaching an estimated 2 billion viewers.
Members of the British royal family attended Westminster Abbey, along with foreign royalty, distinguished guests, and celebrities. A total of 1,900 people were present, including King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia—who opted for a Spanish design in a pale pink dress by Felipe Varela—David and Victoria Beckham, and prominent figures from the worlds of music and fashion, such as Elton John and photographer Mario Testino.
The ceremony took place in the historic Westminster Abbey, an imposing church where English monarchs have been crowned throughout history and which has hosted 16 royal weddings: the first was that of Henry I of England with Matilda of Scotland in 1100, and the most recent was that of Kate and William in 2011 (Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, but it was in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle).
Prince William arrived at Westminster Abbey accompanied by his younger brother, who acted as best man. Dressed in the scarlet uniform of the Irish Guards of the British Army, he waited at the altar for a radiant Kate Middleton, who appeared on the arm of her father, Michael.
The bride made a breathtaking entrance to the sounds of "The Introit," the same melody used at Princess Diana and Prince Charles's wedding in 1981. It was undoubtedly the most anticipated moment, revealing the best-kept secret: her wedding dress.
A French lace wedding dress
Designer Sarah Burton was responsible for creating this design under the Alexander McQueen label. Fusing classic white with ivory details, the bride wore a satin-effect gown. The dress featured a long-sleeved bodice made of French lace, handcrafted by the Royal Needlework School—which incorporated the most representative flowers of the United Kingdom: the rose, the thistle, the daffodil, and the shamrock—and a tailored bodice that perfectly accentuated her figure. This was complemented by a voluminous skirt with ivory lace appliqués and a three-meter train.
The design chosen by Kate Middleton is reminiscent of the one worn by the unforgettable Grace Kelly at her wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. Corset, sweetheart neckline, long sleeves, lace, delicate embroidery… Common denominators that, years later, continue to be highly sought after by brides looking for an elegant and timeless design.
Custom-made shoes and a veil with embroidered flowers. The look wouldn't have been complete without the right accessories. To match the design, the shoes were made for the occasion by the same company responsible for the dress. This information was slow to emerge, as the length of the dress prevented the shoes from being seen on the big day. They were a beautiful satin model, ivory in color, with a slightly rounded toe and lace details.
The veil, simple and made of soft tulle, featured a floral cutout hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. Following tradition, she arrived veiled and with her face covered until she reached the altar.
From the tiara to the earrings, jewels with history
The current Princess of Wales wore earrings on her wedding day created exclusively by the jewelry firm Robinson Pelham. A diamond pendant design inspired by the Middleton family crest, composed of acorns and oak leaves, which were a gift from her parents.
However, without a doubt, the star of the show was the Cartier Halo tiara, one of Queen Elizabeth II's most special jewels, which she received from her mother on her 18th birthday (the Duke of York, who later received the title of King George VI, gave it to his wife, the Queen Mother, in 1936). It is a piece composed of 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds. Although Queen Elizabeth II never wore a bridal gown in public, her sister Margaret and Princess Anne did on certain occasions.
The bouquet with which she honored Prince William
Kate Middleton chose a bouquet composed of lilies of the valley, hyacinths, ivy, and myrtle—following the tradition of royal brides—to which she added Sweet William flowers. The name of this variety, which literally means "sweet William," is interpreted as a direct and very romantic nod to the prince.
The bouquet was created by Shane Connolly, who also designed Queen Camilla's. In an interview with ¡HOLA!, the Irish florist explained that neither of them needed to impress anyone, and that's why he created simple designs for them. As for the size, he opted for small bouquets because, he said, he has never liked large ones due to how uncomfortable they are for most women to carry.
Kate Middleton's Second Wedding Dress
For the reception at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011, Kate Middleton changed out of that spectacular Sarah Burton design for a more cinematic one.
The same designer created this second bridal look with a strapless neckline, satin fabric, and a jeweled belt, which the Duchess of Cambridge paired with an angora bolero. In terms of her overall look, she wore her hair loose, giving the ensemble a more relaxed feel.
