Reliving The Royal Wedding - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Warning: Long post ahead with plenty of images. 

Yes, I am aware that many of you out there are sick of The Royal Wedding. I, on the other hand, simply can't get enough. I watched the live coverage and it was gorgeous! Just for good measure, I'm watching the repeat of the wedding now as soon as the live coverage finished. The Royal Wedding back-to-back! Oh yeah, baby! hahaha! I know I will forever remember this wedding like my mother forever remembers the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Di.

Dear haters, if you're not impressed, you don't get the hoopla, you see that exit button on the right hand top corner? Go ahead and click it!

So, now we've got rid of those haters, here we go! Prince William and his bride, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton or commonly known as Kate Middleton were wed in an amazingly beautiful ceremony at the iconic Westminster Abbey. The newly titled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were declared man and wife by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in front of a congregation of approximately 1,900 guests.

Guests arriving at Westminster Abbey

Celebrity guests that attended the royal wedding include:

David and Victoria Beckham

Rowan Atkinson famously known for his character, Mr Bean.

The very beautiful Joss Stone 

The atmosphere had an intimate and warm feel -- well, from what I gathered being glued in front of the TV, switching back and forth from ntv7 (BBC coverage) and E! Entertainment. One thing I can definitely say about this aside from the beauty of it, was that it was really punctual and rather quick!

The Royal Arrival: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall (front), followed by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Duke of Ediburgh. 

Prince William arrived with his best man and brother, Prince Harry, in a timely manner and proceeded inside the abbey and could be seen greeting the guests, in particular, Earl of Spencer, brother to their late mother, Princess Diana.

The bride arrived in a vision of ivory white donning a wedding gown designed by the bride itself, and created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. It's full details of the material and workmanship can be found here. The French Chantilly and English Cluny lace creation was very Grace Kelly-esque with a 10-foot train.

Kate Middleton waving to the crowd en route to Westminster Abbey with her father.

She was beyond gorgeous. Although, truth be told, I would have loved to see more train and more flounce in the royal bridal gown. The bridal bouquet could've been more elaborate as well.

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, arrives in a creation by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

The stunning bride - Kate Middleton chose to do her own makeup!

Kate Middleton and her maid of honour, her sister, Pippa Middleton

A fairytale come true. The girl next door marries a Prince!

The bride's three-and-half minute procession through the abbey was accompanied by a choir singing the soaring English choral "I Was Glad," composed in 1902 by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry. In a tribute to Princess Diana, the congregation began the service by singing "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer," a Welsh hymn sung at her 1997 funeral. It also sang "Jerusalem," the popular English hymn based on a poem by William Blake.

The bride enters Westminster Abbey

Kate Middleton walks down the aisle escorted by her father, Michael Middleton.

I LOVE that moment when Kate Middleton walks down the aisle and Prince Harry turns back to look and tells Prince William "Wait 'til you see her!".

Also, one of my favorite moments is when Kate finally reaches Prince William and he tells her, "You look beautiful." Swooon!!

Like William's mother Princess Diana at her own 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, Kate struck a modern note by omitting the traditional vow to "obey" her husband. Kate promised William that she would "love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep him," and he offered the same pledge. Prince William, second-in-line to the throne presented Kate with a wedding ring of Welsh gold, given to William by the Queen soon after the couple were engaged. There was a tense moment though, when it seemed like the ring just wouldn't fit!

Prince William puts the ring on Kate with a little force. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton also chose to write their own prayer:

God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.


In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.


Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kneeling down in prayer after reciting their vows. 

In addition to being given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the couple will also become the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, as well as Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus.

Here are shots of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, having been declared man and wife, leaving Westminster Abbey.

The absolute cutest shots of the ceremony has got to be of the flower girls and page boys! Too darn cute!

The royal newlyweds left Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace in the same carriage that whisked Prince Charles and Princess Diana away in 1981. The carriage, the 1902 State Landau is over 100 years old! Traditional and romantic! A ride fit for a prince and princess!

The procession was followed by two Ascot Landau carriages carrying best man Prince Harry and the other for maid of honour Pippa Middleton and flower girls.

The crowd awaiting at Buckingham Palace for the royal newlyweds to appear on the balcony for the "expected kiss"!

Tradition was broken in 1981 when Prince Charles and Princess Diana shared a kiss in public when they came out together as husband and wife on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Prince William and his bride did NOT disappoint the crowd and gave each other a kiss. It was very chaste though and really quick, that the people actually screamed for more!

What?? You missed that? Okay, let's recap!

Luckily, the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, pitied the 2 million people watching their wedding and gave a second kiss which was spontaneous and not rehearsed! Much better!!

The royal kiss immortalized! ;) 

Let's just hope unlike Princess Diana and Prince Charles' marriage, this union will last long!! Perhaps the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's marriage will stand the test of time just like the marriage of William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

Last year, the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary!

It made me sad though that this beautiful wedding was missing one person. The late Princess Diana, mother to Prince William and Prince Harry. Just hoping that the ray of sunshine peeking through the Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace at just the right moments (a rare weather condition in rainy London), was Princess Diana smiling down on William and Kate.

“That if you find someone you love in life, you must hang onto it, and look after it, and if you were lucky enough to find someone who loved you, then you must protect it" - Lady Diana

Lady Diana, wherever you are, just know that we’re as happy for and proud of your son as you would be. The look on his face is pure happiness and joy. He picked a good one. (via Tumblr)

To view the video of Prince William driving away from Buckingham Palace with his bride, Kate, in a convertible Aston Martin, go here.

The Duke is driving an Aston Martin DB6. The convertible Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII in Seychelles blue is owned by his father HRH The Prince of Wales. Prince Charles has owned the car since 1969.

Disclaimer note: All images on this blog belong to their respective owners. I do not claim any images as my own unless otherwise stated. If credit is needed, contact me and I'd be glad to credit what's rightfully yours in any possible way. Thank you.