26 memorable moments from Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011

29 Apr 2021, 09:01 BST

On 29 April 2011, the world was watching as Prince William and Kate Middleton became husband and wife, and subsequently also became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. With Prince Harry as best man, Pippa Middleton as maid of honour, and in front of family guests such as The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, Kate and William said "I do". From the bride's careful steps down the aisle at Westminster Abbey to the magical moment the royal couple kissed twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to the sound of jubilant cheers, take a look at the best moments from Prince William and Kate Middleton's big day…

MORE: Kate Middleton wows in previously secret royal dress for 10th wedding anniversary portrait

Maid of honour Pippa Middleton kept her eyes on the page boys and flower girls before the ceremony.

Fans got a first look at the bride as she waved to the crowds, while riding in the back of a Rolls Royce Phantom VI. More than a million people lined the procession route on the day.

REVEALED: 6 surprising ways Kate Middleton and Prince William broke wedding tradition

Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, designed Kate's show-stopping wedding dress and it has now gone down in history of one of the most iconic royal bridal looks.

MORE: Kate Middleton and Prince William's royal wedding had secret nods to Princess Diana

Kate’s sister Pippa held the nine-foot train as the bride-to-be walked into the Abbey.

Kate’s proud father, Michael Middleton, walked her up the aisle inside Westminster Abbey.

2,000 guests watched the historic ceremony, performed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams.

The couple exchanged vows, promising 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.

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

Just married! William, Kate, Pippa and Harry passed the royal family as they left the altar.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for the first time as husband and wife to rapturous applause.

REVEALED: Kate Middleton wasn’t supposed to have Princess Diana’s engagement ring

The Queen is pictured here surrounded by members of the royal family, following the marriage of her beloved grandson.

The newlyweds took a quick trip in the 1902 State Landau carriage along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace while waving at the cheering crowds. This is the same carriage that Prince Charles and Princess Diana sat in on their wedding day.

Like a true prince, William lovingly helped his new bride out of the carriage.

The wedding party headed over to Buckingham Palace to continue the celebrations.

READ: 9 fascinating rules royal brides must follow

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.

MORE: A look back at all the iconic royal wedding kisses through the years

Due to lots of encouragement from the crowd, the pair kissed again, breaking with tradition.

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.

MORE: Where are Prince William and Kate Middleton's young bridesmaids and page boys now?

With one final look back at their adoring fans, the Duke and Duchess left the iconic balcony.

Pippa left by carriage to head to Buckingham Palace with the flower girls after the wedding.

Kate greeted guests at a reception after the wedding, and their evening do had a 300-strong guestlist.

The modern pair chose to drive their own wedding car on the road to their new life together, however, they did break with tradition and wait another week before jetting off on honeymoon.

REVEALED: Kate Middleton's rare insight into marriage with Prince William

William sat at the wheel of the blue Aston Martin with his new wife the Duchess of Cambridge by his side.

William and Kate with their pageboys and flower girls (clockwise from bottom right) Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Eliza Lopes, Grace van Cutsem, Louise Windsor, Tom Pettifer, William Lowther-Pinkerton. The photos was taken in the throne room at Buckingham Palace.

The newlyweds and their wedding party pose for the official portrait. Front row, left to right: Grace van Cutsem, Eliza Lopes, the late Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Louise Windsor, William Lowther-Pinkerton. Back row, left to right: Tom Pettifer, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, James Middleton and Pippa Middleton.