On April 29, 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton got married in London, whose engagement was officially announced by the royal court on November 16, 2010. RIA Novosti correspondent in the UK Alexander Smotrov conducted a tweet report about the wedding ceremony from London.

17:38 I can't help but repost the PA picture of the main king cake # RoyalWedding of 17 tiers! http://bit.ly/ipo8MI

17:33 People in crowns, multi-colored wigs, with flags and painted faces continue to celebrate the rest of the day off in honor of # RoyalWedding

16:41 It’s a pity that the British monarchy came up with the idea of ​​diluting its blue blood with the hot red blood of the common people so late for the health of its offspring.

16:37 The press center applauds and boos William and Catherine's kiss after # RoyalWedding http://twitpic.com/4qyfie

16:34 Seven Royal Air Force planes flew over the palace and the fountain of the Victoria Monument, where the most desperate spectators are already swimming # RoyalWedding

16:30 After standing and thinking, they kissed a second time :) # RoyalWedding

16:27 We went out, went out onto the balcony! # RoyalWedding Surprisedly pointing fingers at the sea of ​​people below

16:16 And it would also be interesting to know about the couple’s first visit to Russia, of course. Although this is unlikely to be their priority immediately after # RoyalWedding

16:14 I wonder how long after # RoyalWedding Will the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge come to Cambridge?

16:11 A crowd of people was allowed into the Mall, now you can clearly see HOW MANY people came to see # RoyalWedding !

For the wedding of Prince William's grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh, Philip, they received more than 2,500 gifts, including 76 handkerchiefs, 30 scarves, 148 pairs of stockings and 16 nightgowns. However, there was also a special gift - lace woven by Mahatma Gandhi.

Prince William's parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, received 4,000 gifts for their wedding. The newlyweds received 20 silver dishes from the Australian government, and sapphire jewelry from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. And the New Zealand government gave Charles and Diana a practical gift - a carpet.

15:29 One of the spectators in front of Buckingham Palace brought # RoyalWedding the flag of Georgia and it constantly flashes in the frame of the live broadcast

A procession of five carriages with the newly-made husband and wife, as well as their relatives, will proceed through the central streets of London to Buckingham Palace. From the palace balcony they will watch the air parade and then go to a gala dinner on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.

15:18 All the asphalt along the procession route # RoyalWedding sprinkled with a layer of sand - apparently to prevent horses from tripping

15:15 Catherine Middleton will not throw her wedding bouquet into the crowd, but will lay it at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier # RoyalWedding

15:13 A festive procession of colorful carriages moved from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace # RoyalWedding

The location and date of the wedding were the subject of bookmaker bets. The bookmakers' clients correctly managed to "guess" the wedding location - Westminster Abbey, but were mistaken with the date - the most likely month was July.

The wedding date of Prince William and Kate Middleton - April 29, 2011 - became known in November last year. April 29 has been declared a national holiday.

14:43 William and Kate themselves wrote one of the prayers for their wedding # RoyalWedding

By the way, none of the weddings of high-ranking members of the British royal family in the post-war period fell on a Friday. The wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles was originally scheduled for Friday, but then due to the funeral of Pope John Paul II, it had to be postponed to another day.

14: 23 The Archbishop of Canterbury declared William and Kate - now Catherine - husband and wife # RoyalWedding

14:19 The bride's ring barely fit :) But the groom is persistent, so it will be his way # RoyalWedding

14:18 William takes his marriage vows. Serious face. Kate takes the oath with a smile on her lips # RoyalWedding

14:16 The bride's bouquet contains lilies of the valley, carnations (Sweet William), hyacinth, ivy and myrtle - symbols of happiness, eternal love and a strong marriage # RoyalWedding

14:12 Camilla, instead of singing hymns, looks at the guests over the program during # RoyalWedding

13:43 The Queen, as the bookmakers predicted, is dressed in a yellow suit and a # RoyalWedding

13:40 Duchess Camilla wore # RoyalWedding champagne dress and duck egg coat (dirty blue)

Westminster Abbey was often the site of royal weddings. It was in this cathedral in central London that William's grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, as well as his uncle, Prince Andrew, and aunt, Princess Anne, were married. The wedding of Prince William's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, took place at St. Paul's Cathedral.

To ensure that the wedding ceremony begins on time and without surprises, the bride and groom (separately), as well as other members of the royal family, will arrive at Westminster Abbey by car.

13:15 Princes William and Harry travel to the Abbey on # RoyalWedding, the crowd is going wild

13:08 David Cameron in a tailcoat and his wife Samantha in an emerald green dress and orange scarf walk through the Abbey as if they were themselves # RoyalWedding

Prince William and his fiancée Catherine Middleton opted for their wedding guests to donate money to charity instead of buying expensive gifts. The couple will accept gifts from close family members, but other guests are encouraged to make confidential donations to charities.

12:55 Cameron will give Kate and William photographs of the Island of Anglesey, and Boris Johnson - guess what? of course a tandem bike!!! #

Millions of people around the world waited with bated breath: Prince of Wales William and Kate Middleton became husband and wife. According to preliminary estimates, two billion people watched their wedding ceremony. Such a spectacle for Great Britain - and the whole world! - have not been seen since 1981, since the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer.

The night before the ceremony, 28-year-old Prince William spent at the Clarence House residence with his younger brother Prince Harry, father Prince Charles and his wife, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla. The bride, 29-year-old Kate Middleton, along with her parents and sister, stayed at the five-star Goring Hotel in central London.

In the morning, from Clarence House and the Goring Hotel, the bride and groom - as well as their relatives - went to Westminster Abbey in a strictly defined order at intervals of several minutes.

Cars (Kate and her father Michael Middleton, for example, were driving a rare 1978 Rolls-Royce from the royal garage) drove through the central streets of the British capital, crowded with thousands of excited people. Those who wanted to take the best places along the route of the motorcade became concerned about this issue on Wednesday and lived on the sidewalks in tent cities for two days. There was no place for the slow-witted: about a million tourists arrived in London, plus hundreds of thousands of local residents took to the streets. Don't be surprised by these numbers: Londoners didn't have to miss work, because today is a public holiday in the country.

Princes Harry and William's car

Prince Harry and Prince William

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh

Michael Middleton and Kate Middleton

By the time Princes William and Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey, most of the 1,900 invited guests had already gathered there. Among them were relatives of the bride and groom, members of the British royal house, more than 40 members of royal families from around the world, dozens of heads of state, David and Victoria Beckham, Guy Ritchie, Elton John and David Furnish, William's colleagues, as well as loved ones of the British military who died in Afghanistan.

Ian Thorpe

David and Victoria Beckham

Guy Ritchie

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

Elton John and David Furnish

British Prime Minister David Cameron

Queen Sofia of Spain, Prince and Princess of Asturias

Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Princess Maxima

Princess Anne

Prince Andrew

James Middleton

Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock

Michael Tindall and Zara Phillips

Prince Michael of Kent and his wife

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice

Carole Middleton

Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla

Queen Elizabeth II

Prince William and Prince Harry

Prince William

The last to arrive at the Abbey was Kate Middleton, who, by the way, will need to be called Princess Catherine from today. When she got out of the car, the main intrigue was finally revealed: the world saw the bride’s wedding dress. Kate actively participated in the design of this Alexander McQueen dress, created by Sarah Burton. The toilet has a classic silhouette, a full skirt, and a chic long train. The bride wore a 1936 Cartier diamond tiara, topped with a handmade lace veil. In her hands she held a lovely bouquet of lilies of the valley.

Pippa Middleton

Kate, Michael and Pippa Middleton

The ceremony itself lasted just over an hour. After this, the prince and princess boarded a luxurious carriage drawn by four white horses and went to Buckingham Palace. They were followed by several more carriages carrying Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh and the family of the new princess.

Prince William and Princess Catherine

Michael and Carole Middleton

650 guests of the ceremony also headed to the palace - a grand reception awaited them. But before sitting down at the head of the festive table, Prince William and his wife traditionally appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and greeted journalists and onlookers. A few days earlier, a press camp had been set up not far from the palace, housing eight thousand (!) representatives of the British and world media.

The appearance of Kate and William on the balcony, the tender kiss of the young couple and the ensuing air parade truly became the culmination of today's day, which has already gone down in history.

And although about 70 million pounds sterling was spent on the wedding (part of the funds were allocated from the state budget, the rest of the expenses were covered by the relatives of the young couple), when you look at the happy smiles of William and Kate, money is the last thing you want to think about.

Congratulations to the Prince and Princess, who have been working towards this union for over eight years. We wish them to be like in a fairy tale! - lived happily ever after.

The Royal Family and the Middleton Family on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth II, Duke of Edinburgh, Pippa Middleton and Prince Harry

Michael and Carole Middleton, Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall

Princess Catherine and Prince William

It seems like just yesterday the whole world was holding its breath watching the television broadcast of one of the most beautiful weddings of the century - the wedding of Prince William of Wales and his beloved Catherine Middleton. HELLO.RU remembers the brightest moments of the wedding ceremony.

The night before the ceremony, which took place on April 29, 2011, 31-year-old Prince William spent at the royal residence Clarence House with his younger brother Prince Harry, father Prince Charles and his wife, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla. The bride, 31-year-old Kate Middleton, along with her parents and sister Pippa, moved to the five-star Goring Hotel in central London while preparing for the wedding.
On the day of the celebration, from Clarence House and the Goring Hotel, the bride and groom, as well as members of their family, went to Westminster Abbey in a predetermined order and at intervals of several minutes.

The royal family drove through the central streets of London in vintage Rolls-Royce cars from the family garage to the joyful cries of thousands of excited people. Those who wanted to take the best places along the route of the motorcade took care of this issue in advance and lived on the sidewalks in tent cities for two days. There was not enough room for everyone, because about a million tourists arrived in London, and hundreds of thousands of local residents took to the streets.
By the way, the day of the wedding ceremony was designated as an official holiday so that the whole country could enjoy the holiday.

Most of the 1,900 invited guests were waiting for the wedding cortege at Westminster Abbey. Among them were relatives of William and Kate, members of the British royal house, more than 40 representatives of royal families from around the world, dozens of heads of state, close friends of the royal family David and Victoria Beckham, Guy Ritchie, Elton John and David Furnish, colleagues of William, as well as close British soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Finally, Kate Middleton arrived at the Abbey, who after the wedding received the name Catherine and the title of Duchess of Cambridge. The wedding dress of a classic silhouette with a long train, in which the bride walked down the aisle, was created by Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton. The bride's head was adorned with a real family heirloom - Queen Elizabeth II's 1936 diamond tiara, over which was draped a handmade lace veil. In her hands she held a lovely bouquet of lilies of the valley of the Sweet William variety, whose name - "Sweet William" - speaks for itself.

The wedding ceremony lasted just over an hour and was broadcast to the whole world. According to tradition, there was only one engagement ring - for Catherine. It was made by Wartski jewelers from a bar of Welsh gold, which the Queen gave to William shortly after his engagement. The ring was brought to the abbey by Prince Harry, his elder brother's best man.
When Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams declared William and Catherine husband and wife, the prince and duchess boarded a luxurious carriage drawn by four white horses to Buckingham Palace to the sound of bells. The newlyweds were followed by several more carriages, in which Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Middleton family settled down.

650 guests of the ceremony also headed to the palace - a gala reception awaited them, and then a concert for young people. But before that, Prince William and his wife appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet journalists and guests. This moment was captured by eight thousand representatives of the British and world media, who set up a press camp nearby a few days before the wedding.

"I'm really glad the weather has cleared up. We had a wonderful day," Katherine said as she headed to the party.
The newlyweds had been working towards this union for almost ten years and it can be said with confidence that the appearance of Kate and William on the balcony, their first kiss as husband and wife and the subsequent air parade were the culmination of this day that went down in history.

The long-awaited wedding ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton has finally taken place.

1. Kate Middleton leaves the Goring Hotel. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

2. Prince William awaits the arrival of his bride at the Abbey. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

3. Kate Middleton with her father Michael in a Rolls Royce on the way to Westminster Abbey. (REUTERS)

4. Kate Middleton with her father and sister Philippa at the western entrance to Westminster Abbey. The whole world was looking at her wedding dress. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

5. The bride in all her glory. Two wedding dresses (one for the wedding ceremony, the second for the wedding dinner) were created by the famous British fashion designer and stylist Bruce Oldfield, who previously took part in the design of Princess Diana's wardrobe. (AP)

6. The Royal Family, with the participation of the Middleton family, will pay all expenses directly related to the wedding (service at the Abbey, flowers, dresses, carriage procession, reception and dinner). The government and other authorities will pay for the incidental expenses associated with the wedding. (AP)

7. Kate and her father are about to enter Westminster Abbey. (REUTERS)

8. Sister of the bride and maid of honor Pippa Middleton with Grace Van Cutsem and Eliza Lopez. (GETTY IMAGES)

9. Bridesmaid (and also her sister) Pippa Middleton with young pages and bridesmaids. (GETTY IMAGES)

10. Last preparations before going to the altar. (REUTERS)

11. Michael Middleton walks his daughter Catherine down the aisle. (GETTY IMAGES)

12. Kate Middleton, accompanied by her father, joined groom Prince William at the altar. (AP)

13. The father solemnly hands over his daughter to her future husband. (AP)

14. A professional lip reader told the Press Association that at that moment Prince William joked to his father-in-law at the altar: “We were going to have a little family celebration.” (REUTERS)

15. The father removes the veil from his daughter’s face. The service was conducted by the rector of Westminster Abbey. The Archbishop of Canterbury married Prince William and Miss Middleton, and the Bishop of London read out a message of welcome. (REUTERS)

16. Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange rings in front of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. (REUTERS)

17. The ring on the finger of now the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton. Wartski jewelers were commissioned to make Katherine's engagement ring. It is made from a bar of Welsh gold that was given to Prince William by the Queen shortly after their engagement. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

18. Solemn vows and cherished words “I agree.” By the way, the state registration of the marriage took place here: William and Kate simply signed the documents. (AP)

19. Those gathered also sang the national anthem “God Save the Queen.” Everyone sang except Her Majesty. (GETTY IMAGES)

20. Prince William and Kate Middleton, now husband and wife, at their wedding ceremony. (AP)

21. Prince William with his wife Kate. Next come the husband's brother Harry and his wife's sister Pippa. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

22. Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge leave Westminster Abbey. (REUTERS)

23. Happy husband and wife. Prince William and Kate Middleton said in advance that they did not want to be given anything for their wedding. (AP)

24. For those who still want to do something nice for the young people, they created a special charity fund where anyone can donate money. The funds raised will go to help charitable organizations, including foundations for youth, children, and military widows. (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

25. Experts predict that both exclusive boutiques for brides and ready-to-wear stores will soon create a huge number of options and copies of the Duchess’s wedding dress. (REUTERS)

26. Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate leave Westminster Abbey. (AP)

27. Duchess of Cambridge Catherine and Prince William on their way to Buckingham Palace. (REUTERS)

28. On the way to Buckingham Palace. All the world's leading TV channels broadcast the wedding live from London. (REUTERS)

29. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in a carriage. The British capital made good money from the wedding of the heir to the British crown, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Analysts have already calculated that the expenses of guests of the British capital have reached 107 million pounds sterling (about $176.5 million). (GETTY IMAGES)

30. The carriage with the newlyweds arrived at Buckingham Palace. By the way, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Prince William on his wedding. “This day is a great and significant event not only for you, but for all the people of the United Kingdom. Let harmony, joy and love always reign in your family. My wife joins me in my congratulations,” the Russian president’s telegram says. As a gift, Prince William and his wife were sent a papier-mâché box with a varnish coating from the Fedoskino Miniature Painting Factory, on the lid of which a winter panorama of 19th-century Moscow with a view of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is depicted (REUTERS)