8. The Royal Wedding

Westminster Abbey becomes the stage for the wedding of the century as Kate's breathtaking Alexander McQueen dress is revealed to a waiting world. William and Harry make their emotional journey from Clarence House while two billion viewers watch the couple exchange vows before assembled royalty and dignitaries. The carriage procession through London's cheering crowds leads to the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearance and the kiss that captivated the globe. As William and Catherine are proclaimed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a new chapter in royal history begins.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calaruga Shark media. Dawn broke over London on April twenty ninth,
two thousand and eleven, revealing a city transformed. Union jack
flags fluttered from buildings, Barricades lined the processional route, and

(00:23):
hundreds of thousands of well wishers had already gathered to
witness history. Inside Westminster Abbey, the final touches were being
applied to floral arrangements featuring white garden roses, Sweet William
and Lily of the Valley, a living garden created within
the ancient Gothic walls. This is Crown and Controversy, Episode eight.

(00:53):
The Royal Wedding. The day that had been years in
the waiting, months in the planning, and weeks in the
fevered anticipation, had finally arrived. The wedding of Prince William
and Catherine Middleton would not just unite two people, but

(01:15):
would symbolize the monarchy's passage into a new era, one
that balanced tradition with modernity, duty with personal happiness. At
the Goring Hotel, Kate Middleton awoke for the final time
as a commoner. According to hotel staff, her first words
upon waking were to ask about the weather, expressing relief

(01:37):
when told the forecast rain had held off. Breakfast was
served in the Royal Suite, where Kate, her mother Carol,
sister Pippa, and brother James gathered for a final private
meal as the Middleton family before their lives would be
irrevocably changed. The atmosphere within the hotel suite was described
as surprisingly calm. Kate, who had slept soundly according to

(02:00):
her mother, showed none of the last minute nerves that
might be expected. The bride's remarkable composure, a quality that
would define her royal career in the years ahead, was
already evident as she began her transformation from Catherine Middleton
to the Duchess of Cambridge. By eight o'clock, hairstylist James

(02:21):
Price had arrived to begin working on Kate's half up,
half down hairstyle, a deliberate choice that would support her
tiara and veil while maintaining her signature flowing locks. Make
Up artist Hannah Martin guided Kate through applying her own makeup,
having previously provided lessons to ensure the bride could achieve
a look that would be both camera ready and recognizably herself.

(02:45):
As Kate's hair and makeup progressed behind the Goring's discreetly
guarded doors. Across London, the first wedding guests began arriving
at Westminster Abbey from eight o'clock. The doors opened to
the one thousand, nine hundred invited today tendees, who would
spend the next three hours filling the historic space. Before
the ceremoni's eleven o'clock start, the abbey itself had been

(03:09):
transformed overnight. Eight twenty foot maple trees lined the aisle,
creating a garden like path to the altar. Floral arrangements
in white and green adorned every surface, their scent filling
the ancient space with a fresh springtime fragrance. The effect
was both majestic and surprisingly intimate, a royal setting that

(03:33):
somehow managed to feel personal rather than merely ceremonial. At
Clarence House, Prince William and Prince Harry prepared for their
short journey to the abbey. The brothers, dressed in military uniform,
shared a quiet breakfast before the cameras would capture their
every move. According to a palace aid present that morning,

(03:54):
William appeared focused but relaxed, while Harry took his best
man responsibilities with unexpected seriousness, checking details and offering support
to his older brother. William wore the scarlet uniform of
the Irish Guards, having recently been appointed colonel of the regiment.
The choice honored the Guards while acknowledging his active military service.

(04:18):
Harry wore the uniform of Captain of the Household, Cavalry's
Blues and Royals, his ceremonial sword at his side. As
ten thirty approached, the princes left Clarence House in a
maroon Bentley State limousine, embarking on the short drive to
the abbey. The roar from the crowds as they emerged
provided the first indication of the day's electric atmosphere. William,

(04:42):
appearing momentarily overwhelmed by the reception, nodded acknowledgment to the
sea of faces and flags before entering the car. Inside
the abbey, the congregation had assembled a fascinating microcosm of
British and global society. Alongside royal relativeves from across Europe
sat heads of state, religious leaders, celebrities and representatives from

(05:07):
William and Kate's charitable interests. Elton John and David Beckham
sat near charity workers and residents of Anglesey, where the
couple had made their first home. The guest list reflected
both the couple's official position and their personal values. By
ten forty, members of foreign royal families had arrived, followed

(05:28):
by the Spencer family, whose presence carried powerful significance. Diana's brother,
Earl Spencer, and her sisters Lady Sarah mccorquodell and Lady
Jane Fellows took their seats. Their attendants a poignant reminder
of the absent princess whose son was about to be married.
The Queen and Prince Philip arrived at ten fifty one,

(05:50):
precisely as scheduled, her majesty wearing a primrose yellow outfit
by her personal designer, Angela Kelly. The Monarch's choice of
bright color insured she would be visible among the congregation
while not drawing attention from the bride. As the Sovereign entered,
the entire abbey rose in respectful silence. At precisely ten forty,

(06:13):
Kate emerged from the Goring Hotel for the short car
journey to Westminster Abbey. The world caught its first glimpse
of the wedding dress, A closely guarded secret until that moment.
Sarah Burton for Alexander mc queen had created a masterpiece
of British craftsmanship, an ivory satin gown with a nine

(06:34):
foot train, its bodice and skirt adorned with hand cut
English and French chantali lace. The bride wore the Cartier
Halo Tiara lent by the Queen, with a silk tool
veil that fell just below her shoulders. The dress immediately

(06:58):
drew gasps of ata, its elegant silhouette recalling Grace Kelly's
wedding gown while incorporating distinctly contemporary elements. The lace appliquet
on the skirt and bodice had been hand crafted by
the Royal School of Needlework, incorporating the rose, thistle, daffodil
and shamrock representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As

(07:23):
Kate departed the goring in a Rolls Royce phantom with
her father Michael, the crowds lining the route erupted in
cheers inside the car. According to Michael Middleton's later recollections,
Kate remained remarkably composed, occasionally waving to the crowds, but
primarily focused on the ceremony ahead. At Westminster Abbey, William

(07:46):
and Harry waited in a small side chapel, as tradition
dictated they should not see the bride before her arrival.
The brothers shared a momentary, lighthearted exchange captured by cameras,
with Harry apparently joke king wait till you see her,
causing William to smile despite the solemnity of the occasion.

(08:07):
At exactly eleven o'clock, Kate arrived at the abbey's great
west door. As she emerged from the car, the full
magnificence of her appearance became apparent. The dress, the tiara,
the bouquet of Lily of the Valley, the serene expression.
Every element combined to create an image of timeless grace

(08:27):
that would be reproduced around the world. Standing straight and poised,
Kate took her father's arm to begin the three and
a half minute walk down the aisle. The abbey fell
silent as the music began. Hubert Parry's Eye was glad,
performed by the choir of Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal.

(08:49):
The maple trees created a natural pathway to the altar,
where William, his back traditionally turned waited for his bride.
Kate processed through the abbey with remarkable poise, her expression
serene but showing glimpses of emotion as she passed faces
she recognized in the congregation. When she reached the altar,

(09:10):
William turned to see her for the first time, whispering
you look beautiful, words caught by the microphones and broadcast
to the world. The ceremony itself balanced grand tradition with
personal touches. The couple had selected music that reflected the
solemnity of the occasion while including elements meaningful to them.

(09:33):
The readings, including one delivered by Kate's brother James, despite
his dyslexia, emphasized commitment and growth together through life's journey.
When the time came for their vows, both William and
Kate spoke clearly and steadily. William, following royal tradition, did
not receive a wedding ring, while Kate received a band

(09:55):
fashioned from Welsh gold, the same material used for royal
wedding rings since the Queen Mother's marriage in nineteen twenty three.
As the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced them husband and wife,
a cheer rose from the crowds outside the abbey, watching
on large screens. Inside, The atmosphere remained appropriately reverent, though

(10:17):
several guests were observed discreetly wiping away tears, among them
the Duchess of Cornwall and Kate's mother Carol. The signing
of the register took place in the privacy of Edward
the Confessor's Shrine, during which the choirs sang motets by
British composers. This brief interlude allowed the couple a few

(10:37):
moments away from the billions of eyes watching worldwide, though
official photographers were present to document this historic moment. When
William and Kate emerged from the shrine and processed back
down the aisle as husband and wife, the transformation was
subtle but unmistakable. They moved with new confidence, the weight

(10:58):
of anticipation lift lifted, their union officially sanctified both in
law and in the eyes of the church. The abbey
bells pealed as they stepped outside into the spring sunshine,
where an estimated one million well wishers had gathered along
the procession route. The couple entered the nineteen o two

(11:19):
state Landau carriage for the journey to Buckingham Palace, the
same open top carriage used by Charles and Diana thirty
years earlier. The carriage procession provided some of the day's
most iconic images. William and Kate, framed by the open
landau waved to the crowds as they traveled along Whitehall,

(11:40):
through Trafalgar Square, down the Mall, and finally through the
gates of Buckingham Palace. Above, a Royal Air Force flyover
waited for its queue, pilots checking watches to ensure their
appearance would coincide precisely with the couple's first public kiss
on the palace balcony. At Buckingham Palace, the newlyweds joined

(12:17):
their families and the wedding party for photographs in the
Throne Room. The formal portraits taken by Hugo burnand captured
the new alignment of families, the Windsors and Middletons, now
joined by marriage, two very different British families united in
the union of their children. While the photographs were being taken,
some one thousand, eight hundred guests made their way to

(12:39):
the palace for the Queen's luncheon reception. The food prepared
by Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and his team showcased British ingredients,
including salmon from the River Dee near Balmoral and lamb
from Windsor Home Park. At one twenty five in the afternoon,
came the moment millians had been waiting for. William and Kate,

(13:03):
joined by their families, stepped onto the famous Buckingham Palace
balcony to greet the crowds. The sea of faces below
them stretched down the mall as far as the eye
could see, a vivid demonstration of the public enthusiasm for
the new royal couple. Following royal wedding tradition, the crowd
began to chant for a kiss. William and Kate obliged

(13:26):
with a brief, chaste kiss, then, in a charming break
from protocol, a second, slightly longer one. This spontaneous moment,
suggested by William, according to lipreaders, delighted the crowds and
revealed the genuine affection between the couple as they kissed
for the second time. The planned raf flyover roared overhead,

(13:48):
a formation of Lancaster's spitfire and hurricane historic aircraft, followed
by modern typhoon and tornado jets. The Prince, a military
pilot himself, gazed up for it with visible appreciation for
the precision timing and aerial display. Following the balcony appearance,

(14:08):
the Queen and Prince Philip departed for Windsor Castle, traditionally
leaving the younger royals to continue the celebrations. This departure
symbolically handed the stage to the next generation, a subtle
acknowledgment of the monarchy's future direction. The afternoon provided a
brief private interlude for the couple before the evening reception.

(14:31):
In another break with tradition, William drove Kate from Buckingham
Palace to Clarence House in his father's vintage Aston Martin
dB six, decorated with balloons and a just wed license plate,
a playful moment arranged by Harry that injected a touch
of normalcy into the otherwise ceremonial day. This journey, with

(14:52):
William at the wheel and Kate waving from the passenger seat,
produced some of the most relaxed and joyful images of
the couple. The Prince's decision to drive himself rather than
be chauffeured, represented his desire to maintain certain aspects of
ordinary life despite his extraordinary position. As evening approached, the

(15:14):
focus shifted to the night's celebrations. Prince Charles hosted two
hundred and seventy close friends and family for an evening
reception and dinner in the State apartments at Buckingham Palace.
For this event, Kate changed into a second Sarah Burton creation,
a simpler white satin gown with a sweetheart neckline and

(15:35):
diamante embellished waist, topped with a white Angorabolero cardigan. The
evening reception revealed the couple's more personal side. Charles gave
an emotional speech about his son, reportedly bringing tears to
many eyes when he referred to seeing William grow from
a boy to the man who stood before them. Harry's

(15:56):
best man speech, by contrast, blended humor with genuine sentiment,
teasing his brother while celebrating his happiness. Michael Middleton spoke
of his pride in his daughter and welcomed William to
their family with warmth and wit. Kate herself reportedly spoke briefly,
thanking the royal family for their welcome and expressing her

(16:18):
love for William in simple but moving terms. After dinner,
came dancing. Singer Ellie Goulding performed her cover of Elton
John's Your Song for the couple's first dance, a choice
that nodded to William's musical tastes while avoiding the more
obvious Diana connections that an original Elton John track might

(16:39):
have evoked. As the celebration continued into the night, with
performances including a motown band and DJ, the public aspects
of the wedding concluded the newlyweds had fulfilled their royal
obligations flawlessly. Now, for a few precious hours, they could
simply be William and Kate Dan with friends and family,

(17:01):
celebrating their union as any young couple might. What few
outside their innermost circle knew was that the couple had
made a significant decision about their wedding night. Breaking with tradition,
they would not depart for their honeymoon immediately, but would
spend their first night as husband and wife at Buckingham Palace,

(17:22):
delaying their honeymoon departure. This choice reflected William's commitment to
his work as a search and rescue pilot. He would
return to duty the following week before they eventually left
for their honeymoon. As the festivities continued into the early hours,
the day's significance rippled outward. For the monarchy, this wedding

(17:44):
represented a crucial renewal after decades of divorce, scandal, and tragedy.
The enthusiastic public response suggested that despite Republican mutterings and
occasional criticism, the institution retained a powerful hold on the
national and m imagination. For William, the day fulfilled a

(18:04):
personal journey from the traumatized boy walking behind his mother's
coffin to a mature man embracing his future while honoring
his past. For Kate, it marked her official entry into
an institution she would help modernize while respecting its essential traditions.
For the British public, the wedding provided a moment of
national unity and celebration during a period of economic austerity

(18:28):
and political division. The estimated global television audience of two
billion viewers demonstrated the continued international fascination with the British monarchy,
particularly this young couple who seemed to represent its best
hope for the future. As dawn approached and the celebration
finally wound down, William and Kate retired to the Belgian

(18:52):
Suite at Buckingham Palace, the same rooms where Diana had
spent her wedding night three decades earlier. What thoughts and
words passed between them in those private moments remained appropriately
their own. But as the new Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge closed the door on their wedding day, they stood
at the beginning of a royal partnership that would reshape

(19:14):
the monarchy for the twenty first century. Through the births
of children, the development of charitable work, moments of triumph
and challenge, they would forge a path that balance duty
with personal fulfillment, tradition with innovation, and the weight of
history with the demands of modernity. The royal wedding had

(19:35):
been more than just a spectacle or a fairy tale.
It was the opening chapter in the next volume of
the British Monarchy's long and evolving story. Next time on

(20:03):
Crown and Controversy. William and Kate escape to a secluded
island paradise. The Palace maintains unprecedented secrecy about their honeymoon location.
Paparazzi launch a global hunt to find the royal newlyweds.
The couple enjoys rare moments of privacy in the Seychelles,
Kate adapts to her new title and position, and as

(20:25):
they return to begin their married life, the Queen has
specific advice for the future of the monarchy. While no
one truly knows what happens behind closed palace doors, this
entertainment series uses new sources on the record, quotes, and
some artistic license. Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect.

(20:50):
A I narration was used in creation of this series.
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