On 29 April 2011, Catherine Middleton married her long-term boyfriend Prince William, who was created Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and Baron Carrickfergus upon marriage1, so that Catherine would become known as Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.2 Although she is not entitled to be called “Princess Catherine”, she does have the status of a Princess as was confirmed by the palace upon the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York (the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). “In accordance with the settled general rule that a wife takes the status of her husband Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on her marriage has become Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York with the status of a Princess.“3
The couple became engaged in October 2010 while on holiday in Kenya, and the engagement was announced on 16 November 2010. Prince William gave Catherine his mother’s blue sapphire engagement ring, and the wedding was set for 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.
Catherine wore a satin and lace wedding dress by Sarah Burton by Alexander McQueen. She wore the Cartier Halo tiara loaned to her by The Queen. Her wedding bouquet included myrtle, Lily of the Valley, Sweet William and hyacinth. Her diamond earrings were a gift from her parents. Prince William wore the uniform of the Irish Guards mounted officer.
Prince Harry was Prince William’s best man, while Catherine’s sister Pippa was her maid of honour. The bridesmaids and pageboys included Lady Louise Windsor, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Grace van Cutsem, Eliza Lopes, William Lowther-Pinkerton, and Tom Pettifer. Catherine’s younger brother James gave a reading at the service.
The Dean of Westminster officiated the service, while the Archbishop of Canterbury acted as the celebrant, and the Bishop of London preached a sermon. Guests came from both sides of the family, and there were also plenty of royal guests even though it was not a state occasion, as William is “only” second in line to the throne. Royal guests included the King of Bhutan, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and the Prince of Monaco with his fiancee Charlene.
The service began at 11.00 A.M. and lasted for an hour and fifteen minutes. They left Westminster Abbey in the 1902 State Landau, and just a short while later, they appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast and, of course, the obligatory kiss. This was followed by a lunchtime reception, and later in the evening, there was a private dinner.
Ten years on, the couple have three children: Prince George (born 2013), Princess Charlotte (born 2015) and Prince Louis (born 2018).
- London Gazette
- Press announcement
- The Secret File of the Duke of Windsor by Michael Bloch Ch. 3
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