You'll Never Believe the Price of Prince William's Wedding
It's been well over a decade since the world witnessed the fairy-tale wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. On April 29, 2011, millions tuned in to watch the future King and Queen of the United Kingdom tie the knot at Westminster Abbey. While many remember the grand spectacle, here are 10 lesser-known details about their iconic day.
1. Kate's 'Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue'
In keeping with tradition, Kate's wedding attire included something old, new, borrowed, and blue. The old was represented by her gown's Carrickmacross lace, a technique dating back to the 1800s. For something new, she wore custom earrings gifted to her by her parents. The borrowed item was Queen Elizabeth II's Cartier Halo tiara, while a small piece of blue ribbon sewn into her dress checked the final box.
2. A Bouquet With a Hidden Meaning
Kate's bridal bouquet featured the Sweet William flower, a touching nod to her new husband. The bouquet also included other symbolic flowers: lily of the valley for happiness, hyacinth for love's consistency, and ivy representing fidelity.
3. William and Harry's Sweat-Proof Suits
Due to the heat inside Westminster Abbey and the high-pressure nature of the event, Prince William and Prince Harry's military uniforms were specially designed with sweat-proof technology. Tailors added micro sweatpads to keep the brothers cool throughout the ceremony.
4. Kate Almost Didn't Wear a Tiara
Though Kate dazzled in the Cartier Halo tiara, she initially planned to wear a floral headpiece. However, tradition won out, and she wore the historic tiara, which features 739 brilliant-cut diamonds.
5. A $34 Million Celebration
The royal wedding wasn't just a visual feast; it was also a costly one. Reports suggest the total expense reached $34 million, with $32 million of that sum spent on security alone. Kate's gown cost $434,000, and even the flowers had an eye-watering budget of $1.1 million.
6. The Iconic Wedding Carriage
After their vows, William and Kate rode in the 1902 State Landau carriage — the same one used by Prince Charles and Princess Diana for their wedding in 1981. The horse-drawn carriage is a key piece of British royal tradition.
7. A Secret Honeymoon
William planned their honeymoon in total secrecy, even keeping the destination hidden from Kate until they were ready to leave. The couple spent two weeks in a private villa in the Seychelles, enjoying a well-deserved escape from public life.
8. A Dress Fit for a Queen
Kate's Alexander McQueen wedding gown was kept a closely guarded secret until the big day. The intricate design featured lace appliqué, symbolizing the four nations of the UK through motifs like the rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock.
9. Double the Cakes
The couple enjoyed two wedding cakes: a traditional eight-tiered fruitcake and a chocolate biscuit cake, one of William's personal favorites. This quirky detail added a personal touch to the royal celebration.
10. Watched by Billions
The royal wedding captivated the globe, with an estimated 2 billion people watching the live broadcast. In London alone, over 2 million people crowded the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds.
From sentimental gestures to extravagant details, William and Kate's wedding remains one of the most unforgettable events of the decade.
References: 32 fun and little-known facts from Prince and Princess of Wales's wedding | 40 Royal Wedding Facts You May Have Missed from Prince William and Kate Middleton's Wedding Day
