Look back at the Prince and Princess of Wales’ rule-breaking kiss and more

The world apparently come to a standstill to observe the Ruler and Princess of Ridges’ noteworthy wedding on 29 April 2011, from the 200 fans who accumulated external Westminster Nunnery to get a brief look at the love birds, to the 2,000 visitors inside seeing the pre-marriage ceremony and the 22 million Watchers at home.

As well as fans, dear loved ones accumulated in London in their droves to help the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Among them was Kate’s bridesmaid and sister Pippa Middleton, who created a ruckus in her ravishing wedding white outfit, and Sovereign Harry, who seemed, by all accounts, to be William’s best man, however later conceded in his book Spare that he was a public distraction for William’s confidential companions James Meade and Thomas van Straubenzee.

On Sovereign William and Kate’s (nee Middleton) thirteenth wedding commemoration, go along with us as we glance back at the best photographs of the lady of the hour’s two grand wedding dresses, the couple’s standard breaking kiss and that’s just the beginning…

Bridesmaid Pippa Middleton

Maid of honour Pippa Middleton kept her eyes on the page boys and flower girls, which included Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Eliza Lopes, Grace van Cutsem, Louise Windsor, Tom Pettifer and William Lowther-Pinkerton.

While she expected all eyes to remain on her sister, Pippa became an overnight sensation after stepping out in a figure-skimming satin bridesmaid dress with a cowl neckline by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen – the same designer responsible for Kate’s wedding dress.

As well as looking after the bridal party, Pippa was also responsible for helping Kate with her nine-foot train.

The wedding dress

Thought to have cost Carole and Michael Middleton £250,000, the bride’s gown featured handmade lace created by the Royal School of Needlework and an ivory satin Victorian-inspired corset bodice which was “narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips”, according to the Palace. It was finished with 58 organza-covered buttons and a skirt that “echoes an opening flower.”

The wedding flowers

Kate turned to Shane Connolly for her bridal bouquet, which consisted of a combination of the Middletons’ and the royal family’s favourite stems. The symbolic blooms included: lilies, for the return of happiness; hyacinths, for steady love; ivy, for fidelity and friendship; and myrtle, the emblem of matrimony.

As tradition dictates, Kate’s bridal bouquet was laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior inside Westminster Abbey after the royal wedding ceremony.

William’s outfit

William looked dapper in his red Irish Guards uniform, his most senior military position, but it was not his first choice. He admitted his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II was behind the decision.

Journalist Robert Hardman told the MailOnline that William said: “I wanted to decide what to wear for the wedding. I was given a categorical: ‘No, you’ll wear this!'”

Grand entrance

Harry revealed his brother was “tipsy” the night before his wedding, and said he gave him a mint to mask the smell of rum as he made his way to Westminster Abbey for his ceremony. “When I went to collect him in the morning and he looked as if he hadn’t slept a wink. His face was gaunt, his eyes red,” he wrote.

However, William was all smiles as he waved to crowds alongside Prince Harry, who wore a black military uniform.

Fans got a first look at the bride as she made her way from The Goring Hotel to Westminster Abbey in the back of a Rolls Royce Phantom VI.

Kate’s father Michael Middleton looked every inch the proud father-of-the-bride as he walked her up the aisle, sharing a joke with William at the altar. According to lipreaders, the Prince reportedly joked to his father-in-law: “We were supposed to have just a small family affair.”

The vows

The ceremony was performed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams. In their vows, the couple promised to love one another for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as they both shall live.

Following in the footsteps of Princess Diana, Kate did not promise to “obey” her husband like some outdated church services.

Wedding ring

Prince William presented his bride with a ring made from Welsh gold, as is commonplace in the royal family.

Guest list

The late Queen Elizabeth looked delightful in yellow as she entered the Abbey. William’s grandmother opted for sunshine yellow, which she teamed with a cream bag and cream shoes.

Princess Anne really went all out for this royal wedding. The Queen’s daughter opted for a floral jacket and skirt combo. A flamboyant hat completed the look.

Perhaps the most memorable wedding guest outfits were from Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice who both wore elaborate headgear. Eugenie opted for a blue Vivienne Westwood dress with a feathered Philip Treacy fascinator, while her elder sister’s sculptural Philip hat from the same milliner proved to be divisive among fans.

Princess Charlene of Monaco looked effortlessly elegant in her pale grey coat dress, hat and heels.

Harry’s ex Chelsy Davy was a vision in green, with her bold dress accentuating her golden tan.

Victoria Beckham, who was pregnant with daughter Harper at the time, wore a loose bump-skimming navy dress and skyscraper heels.

The newlyweds took a quick trip in the 1902 State Landau carriage – the same one used by Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their wedding day – along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace while waving at the cheering crowds. 650 guests headed over to Buckingham Palace to continue the celebrations at a lunchtime reception hosted by William’s late grandmother.

The happy couple and their jubilant families took their places on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to see the crowds. Following a tradition started by William’s parents, the royal couple delighted fans by kissing on the balcony. Due to the crowd’s encouragement, the pair broke tradition and kissed again.

Kate tried to cheer up an unimpressed flower girl, five-year-old Grace Van Cutsem, who wasn’t used to so much noise. The little girl became one of the most famous figures from the wedding, earning her own meme.

Just 300 of the couple’s closest friends and family were invited to the evening reception, which saw the bride, groom and their guests change into different clothes. Kate’s second wedding dress featured a sweetheart neckline, an embellished belt and a satin A-line skirt, which she layered underneath a fluffy cardigan.

The bride and groom joined their guests in the Palace’s Ballroom for dinner, where Prince Harry made a speech. In his book Spare, Harry revealed his best man speech was a mix of entertaining and heartfelt. After brandishing a leathery ermine thong that one American fan had made from stoat, Harry became more serious and commented on their late mother Princess Diana, whom he said she would have loved to have celebrated with her eldest son.