April 29, 2011
April 29, 2011. London. Great Britain. Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton
On April 29 of 2011, a wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place. More than one million people walked out into the streets of the British capital to see the wedding ceremony, which culminated at Westminster Abbey. Up to two billion people watched the wedding on TV’s live broadcast.
All eyes were set on what the main persons of the ceremony would wear. Even before the ceremony it became known that Prince William would be clothed in the red uniform of the Irish Guards Regiment Colonel. His dress coat was girdled with a scarlet-gold sash; he also wore a forage cap, and to his lapels were affixed Order of the Garter (since the Prince is a Knight of this Order) and the “wings” of a pilot of the Royal Air Force – a sign that William received when he finished the training course for the rescue helicopters pilots.
The best man – William’s brother, Prince Harry – showed up at the ceremony in the dark-blue uniform of a Captain of the Royal Horse Guards with a golden sash and also pilot’s “wings” as well as with a medal for His service in Afghanistan. The father of William and Harry – Prince Charles, – as an Admiral of the Royal Navy was attired in his ceremonial uniform.
Ladies’ dresses aroused the biggest interest. The Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II came to the ceremony in a yellow dress and a hat created by the court designer Angela Kelly and made of crepe and wool. The Duchess of Cornwall Camilla wore a silk dress and a champagne-white hat, light grayish-blue coat with insertions matching the colour of her dress, and Kate’s mother – Carole Middleton – preferred a light azure-blue crepe dress.
Still, the central mystery up until the beginning of the ceremony remained the bride’s attire. As many had predicted, Kate made her choice in favor of the designer Sarah Burton from the fashion house Alexander McQueen. Her dress combined in itself modern motifs and lace appliqué that was done in the shapes of the symbols of the United Kingdom – roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks.
Despite the rumours that the bride would appear in the “Vladimir’s Tiara” that got to the Royal Family from Russia, Kate received Cartier Tiara from Elizabeth II. It was presented to the Queen by Her mother for Her 18th birthday. Diamond earrings of the bride were designed by Robinson Pelham, and shoes – by the same masters at Alexander McQueen.
The wedding bouquet was composed with Lily of the Valley, hyacinth, ivy, myrtle and carnation flower “Sweet William” – as floral symbols of firm and happy marriage, love and fidelity.
After the oaths of faithfulness were taken, at 11:20, the whole world witnessed how William put a wedding ring on Kate’s ring finger. At this juncture, the only casus of the day happened: the ring happened to be a little too small and the prince had to exercise some efforts to put it on the finger of the lady of his choice. As for William himself, he will not wear a wedding ring.
The wedding ring for Kate was made by the Wartski Royal Jewelry House from Welsh gold, which is used for making wedding jewels for many members of the royal family.
The principal leader of the Church of England – the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams officially announced Prince William and Kate Middleton husband and wife, and from now on Kate should be named by her full name – Katherine.
After the wedding they will bear the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Additional titles (for Scotland and Northern Ireland) that were granted to them by the Queen’s decision are the Earl and Countess of Strathearn and Baron and Baroness of Carrickfergus.