Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding on April 29, 2011 was the most regal and romantic event of the year.

Kate gracefully walked down the long aisle in Westminster Abbey, past rows of guests with her nine-foot train flowing perfectly behind her.

She wore an elegant dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the lace bodice and flowing skirt echoed Grace Kelly’s own gown for her wedding to Prince Albert of Monaco.

Kate’s father, Michael Middleton, held her arm as she walked towards her husband-to-be and future King. 

William stood at the altar, with Prince Harry by his side, and wore an Irish Guards officer tunic, Garter sash and star, Royal Air Force ‘wings’, and Golden Jubilee medal.

Harry wore his Captain uniform from the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals after being promoted.

‘We’re supposed to have just a small family affair,’ William joked to his father-in-law, Katie Nicholl wrote in her 2013 book, Kate: The Future Queen. 

But it was very much not a ‘small family affair’ – two billion people reportedly tuned in to watch the ceremony worldwide. 

Prince William talking to his new wife Kate Middleton and father-in-law Michael Middleton on their wedding day in 2011

Michael waving to well-wishers as he travelled in a carriage to Buckingham Palace after the wedding ceremony 

Westminster Abbey had 1,900 guests inside who witnessed the wedding first hand. 

William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth – who died in 2022 – was sitting in the front row wearing a yellow dress and coat by Angela Kelly. Beside her were Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla. 

Across the aisle sat Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, with her younger brother James.

Carole wore a sky blue coat dress by Catherine Walker while Michael was smartly dressed in a suit and top hat. 

The guests ranged from government officials and royal families from around the world, to celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and Rowan Atkinson. 

Outside the abbey, thousands more waited to try to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. The Mail reported at the time that a million well-wishers filled the streets of London on the day.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds left Westminster Abbey in a horse-drawn carriage and made their way down the procession route where thousands of royal fans waited to greet them with cheers and waves.

Later, Kate and William appeared on Buckingham Palace’s balcony with other members of the Royal Family and treated the public to not one, but two kisses. 

The father of the bride arriving at Westminster Abbey in 2011 for his daughter’s wedding

Michael, Kate, William and Harry during the wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey

The four standing in Westminster Abbey during the wedding service 

Afterwards around 600 guests who attended the church service enjoyed a lunch reception at the Palace and were served champagne and a hefty 10,000 canapes. 

The new royal couple then cut into their eight-tiered wedding cake made by Fiona Cairns. 

The rest of the world watched on television or listened to the radio. Ms Nicholl wrote how Americans even woke up early to tune in when the couple exchanged their wedding vows.

In Australia, fans threw parties that lasted all night long in celebration of the big day. 

Kate and William ended the day with a party in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace with 300 of their close friends and family members.

Guests were served a feast of Welsh seafood, lamb and a selection of desserts, as well as bacon sandwiches and ice cream from vans later on. 

The day was a grand celebration and certainly not a ‘small family affair’ as the Prince had quipped.

William’s joke perhaps suited his nervous father-in-law’s sense of humour as in less formal settings, he is reportedly known to enjoy making people laugh. 

Michael and Carole Middleton stood on Buckingham Palace’s balcony alongside Prince Charles and Camilla 

Pippa holding Kate’s train as Kate and Michael walk into the Abbey

‘My father has developed this funny tradition of surprising us at some point by appearing in fancy dress,’ Michael’s daughter, Pippa Middleton, previously told The Spectator. 

‘He buys a new costume each year and typically gets a bit carried away. A couple of Christmases ago, he appeared in an inflatable sumo outfit.’

Now, 14 years after their spectacular wedding, William and Kate have three children together, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.