Prince William Duke of Cambridge William Arthur Philip

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (William Arthur Philip Louis) is the elder son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana. He is second in the line of succession, behind his father, to the thrones of sixteen independent sovereign states known as 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. Prince William married Catherine (Kate) Elizabeth Middleton on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. Hours prior to his wedding, Prince William was created Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus. Catherine, made Duchess of Cambridge by wedding William is also the current holder of the titles Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.

Wedding Guests Carole Middleton, mother of the bride Anne, Princess Royal William’s aunt Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall William’s step-mother

Prime Minister David Cameron and Samantha ''We're quite a reserved lot, the British, but when we go for it, we really go for it'' Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duke and Duchess of York.

Elton John and partner, David Furnish Soccer player, David Bechham and wife Victoria (former Spice Girl, dubbed Posh Spice, née Adams)

Sweden Crown Princess Victoria & Prince Daniel Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

Guests of the royal wedding topped off their looks with over-the-top fascinators created by Philip Treacy. Victoria Beckham, 37, Princesses Beatrice 22 Zara Phillips, 29, Princess Eugenie 21 Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez

Sophie, Countess of Wessex Sophie Winkleman Camilla’s daughter Laura

Reverend John Hall, the Dean of Westminster gave Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll, a warm welcome to Westminster Abbey.

The Queen appeared relaxed and happy as she and Prince Philip awaited the bride.

Bridesmaid – Pippa Middleton (sister of the bride) Flower Girls • Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie (age 7 and the Queen's youngest granddaughter • Grace Van Cutsems, daughter of friends • Eliza Lopes, granddaughter of Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall 's • Margarita, Viscount Linley's daughter – the Viscount is a 2 nd cousing to the Prince (8 yrs. ) Page Boys: Billy Lowther-Pinkerton (age 10, secretary’s son) Tom Pettifer (age 8, Willian’s godson)

While the brothers patiently waited at the altar, Harry couldn’t resist peeking at his future sister-in-law. He whispered to Wills …… “Wait ‘til you see her !!!

Here comes the bride

''We're supposed to have just a small family affair'' - Prince William jokes at the altar with the bride's father Michael Middleton. For his wedding, Prince William was dressed in the scarlet red uniform of Colonel of the Irish Guards. He wore only one decoration, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal to mark the 50 th anniversary of her reign. His choice of uniform was welcomed as a tribute to a battalion that has recently returned from an arduous tour in Afghanistan. It may also reflect the Royal family’s wish to demonstrate the strengthening of ties between London and Dublin ahead of the Queen’s historic state visit to Ireland next month.

Who gives this woman?

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England conducted the service.

Outside the Abbey the throngs were watching the ceremony on huge screens. They joined the congregation in singing the hymns Jerusalem, Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, Lords Divine - All Loves Excelling.

The wedding ceremony was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state.

With this ring, I thee wed

Pausing to show respect to Her Royal Majesty

The sky-cams picked up everything Sharing the magic, the newlyweds take a private moment.

Leaving the Abby, the newlyweds were greeted by such cheering and applause, they could barely hear the wedding chimes. The Westminster bells played for 3 hours.

Queen’s Guard

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge riding to Buckingham Palace in a 1902 State Landau

A beaming Kate told William: "I'm so happy. " He replied: "Good. "

The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, followed in the Scottish State Coach.

Next, the Australian State Coach with the bride’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and Charles and Camilla, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall

Over a million well-wishers from around the world flocked to London to witness the spectacle.

Mother of the Bride Mother of the Groom Designer Vera Wang described Carole Middleton’s pale-blue dress and jacket as “safe, elegant, and subtle. I agree, it was a lovely, understated dress. I was impressed. ” The Queen looked resplendent in a Primrose yellow dress, with hand-sewn seams at the neck, in the shape of sunrays. Over this, she wore a matching coat. Her hat was crepe with handmade silk roses. Her diamond brooch was Queen Mary's True Lovers Knot.

Adoring Crowds

Prince Harry and bridesmaid Lady Louise Windsor shared a carriage after the ceremony as the family returned to Buckingham Palace.

Security on The Mall

Band of the Coldstream Guards

Arriving at Buckingham Palace

A world of Media under the green cover and all over the Queen Victoria Memorial

Leading the masses to the Palace to view the Kiss

Well-wishers approach the forecourt

The police safely escort the masses into Queen Victoria Square

Wills and Kate sealed their marriage with a kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, but then, urged on by a cheering 500, 000 strong crowd watching from The Mall, they did it again after the groom told his bride: "One more kiss? Go on, come here!" The first kiss was a quick, bashful peck, but the SECOND was longer, deeper and more tender. The double embrace was seen by an estimated 2 -Billion people on the telly. It was the highlight of a happy and glorious day.

Smiling broadly, our 85 -year-old monarch said to the Crown Equerry, "It (the wedding) was amazing. "

Battle of Britain memorial flight Royal Air Force salute The newlyweds waved again before a roar from above signaled the flypast by a Lancaster bomber, a Spitfire and a Hurricane. Seconds later, four fighter jets flew over in the shape of a diamond. At that moment, the clouds that had covered London since dawn briefly broke to allow the incredible scene to be bathed in sunshine.

The Queen officially hosted the lunchtime Champagne Reception for about a third of the guests invited to Westminster Abbey - 650 of the 1900. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greeted guests, who were treated to Pol Roger champagne, an array of canapes and a choice of two cakes. Among the guests were family and friends as well as politicians both from the UK and abroad: David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand.

Designed by Fiona Cairn, the 8 layered cake had 900 flowers and leaves of 17 different varieties, including daisies to represent innocence and lavender for luck. It took 5 weeks to make and has a garland design around the middle matching the architectural garlands that adorn the ceiling of the Picture Gallery in Buckingham Palace. To whoops and cheers from friends and family, it was cut with a ceremonial sword.

Mc. Vitie’s Cake Company was honoured with a special request from Prince William to create a chocolate biscuit cake from a Royal Family recipe.

When the Champagne Reception and Dad’s Aston Martin Kiss on the Balcony ended, the newlyweds left Buckingham Palace for Clarence House in Dad’s classic 1970 Aston Martin DB 6 Volante. Charles mother, Queen Elizabeth, gave it to him on his 21 st birthday. In an effort to be environmentally conscious, Prince Charles converted his beloved car into a hybrid that runs on surplus English wine. Note the license for this occasion.

The evening reception and dance included only those in William and Kate’s true inner circle - 300 of their most trusted friends and family. All spent the remainder of the afternoon resting in their homes or London hotels, beforing changing into evening wear and returning to the Palace. Prince Charles hosted the party. The Queen and Prince Phillip chose to not attend the evening festivities. Guests arrived through a candle-lit walkway in the Palace courtyard, where bagpipers welcomed them. The Palace’s Ballroom, like the Abbey were decorated with white flowers and candles. Each table was named after a place that was special to Wills and Kate i. e. “St Andrews” after the Scottish university where the couple began their romance. As everyone present at dinner was deemed “equally important” to the couple, the tables were a mix of Royals, family members and friends of the couple. Dinner consisted of seafood appetizers and lamb entrée (done three ways), then treated to a trio of mini -puddings of trifle, chocolate fondant and homemade ice-cream in brandy-snap baskets.

Catherine chose a strapless white satin gazar evening gown with a circle skirt and diamanté embroidered detail around the waist. It was topped with an angora bolero cardigan. The Duchess of Cornwall wore a light blue hand-embroidered high-collared floor length Anna Valentine dress. Pippa Middleton had changed from her demure white bridesmaid’s dress into an eyecatching floor-length emerald dress, trimmed with a flash of diamante. The mother-of-the-bride had donned a black capped-sleeve dress, cut low at the front and back, with a tiered skirt; her hair was now elegantly pinned up.

After the speeches, everyone moved to the Throne Room, which had been transformed into “a massive nightclub”. The guests danced to live music and DJs. At 2 a. m. waiters served bacon sandwiches. The official “last dance” of the evening was ‘She Loves You’ by The Beatles. It was followed by a spectacular fireworks display in the Palace Garden as the couple were driven away (albeit just around the corner as they spent their first night at Buckingham Palace). Earl Spencer’s daughters • Lady Amelia (18) • Lady Eliza (18, a twin) • Lady Kitty (20) Princess Diana’s nieces

Reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s 1956 wedding dress and bouquet – simple and elegant.

1. Something ‘old’ was the traditional Carrickmacross lace-making craftsmanship that created the bridal gown. 2. Something ‘new’ were the bride’s diamondset stylized oak leaf and acorn earrings. They were a gift from her parents, inspired by the new Middleton family coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. 3. Something ‘borrowed’ – the “halo” tiara lent to Kate by the Queen was made by Cartier in 1936. It was handed down to the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, by her mother on her 18 th birthday in 1944. Something ‘blue’ was a blue ribbon sewn inside the dress.

An avenue of 8 trees graced Westminster Abbey for the wedding. There were 6 - 20 ft. English Field Maples and 2 Hornbeams, borrowed, from Prince Charles' estate, Highgrove. The Royal couple commissioned Shane Connolly to supply only seasonal, organic British flowers. They also requested as many growing plants as possible be used, rather than cut ones. The Queen gave them carte blanche to take flowers from her enormous garden at Windsor Great Park. Apparently 30, 000 flowers were used. The Abbey looked luxurious with white flowers and loads of fresh greenery. The smell of jasmine and lilac offered a reminder of an English country garden,

Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, paid an allusion to her new husband Prince William by including "sweet William" flowers in her bridal bouquet. The bouquet, as royal tradition dictates, also included a sprig from a myrtle bush planted by Queen Victoria on the Isle of Wight in 1845. Other flowers in the bouquet included hyacinth, lily-of-the- valley and ivy. It was designed by Shane Connolly, the florist also responsible for decorating the wedding venue Westminster Abbey with eight English maple trees. The symbolism of the flowers used at the royal wedding has been much commented on: • Sweet William means gallantry • Lily-of-the-valley happiness • Hyacinth constancy of love • Ivy signifies fidelity • Myrtle signifies true love and joy