So, we are almost there – the much awaited and anticipated Royal wedding of prince Williams and Ms. Katherine Middleton is all set to happen tomorrow, 29th of April 2011. Here are some of the top things that you definitely should know about the royal affair.
Prince William and Kate Middleton Love story: How it all started?
Prince William & Kate Middelton Love Story
The romance between Prince Williams and Kate Middleton was a see-saw like affair – once on and once off, just friends, lovers or separated – they kept the guessing game on for all keen celebrity followers.
Going by the media assumptions and educated guesses, their “together time” can be traced back to September 2001, when both were studying Art History at the University of St. Andrews. Kate at this time, was rumoured to be seeing someone else. It is rumoured that Prince Williams fell for Kate when she walked down the ramp in a see-through dress at a student fashion show.
In 2002, the two of them move into a student house with two others.
In the summers of 2003, Kate attends William’s 21st birthday party, where William lets the media know, he is not seeing anyone. Around the same time, official denials were released specifying Williams is not seeing his friend Jecca Craig. End of that that year, Kate breaks up with her boyfriend, firing rumours that Kate and William are a couple!
For the next couple of years, Kate and William were found holidaying together and attending social functions. In January 2006, they were pictured kissing at Klosters, days before William was supposed to join the army. End of that year, Kate was seen watching William graduate as an Army officer, in the presence of his grandmother – Queen Elizabeth II – making speculators believe that the royal romance had the stamp from the matriarch.
In the early part of the year 2007, Williams’s picture posing with his army friends and arms around girls were splashed over almost all newspapers , shortly after which the couple were rumoured to have split, as per media reports. Later that year, after almost 6 months of the so called split, they were pictured together.
In 2008 April, Kate attends William’s Royal Air Force graduation. In 2009, Queen Elizabeth’s lawyers warn newspapers from publishing photographs of the royals during the Christmas Break, fuelling engagement speculation.
In January 2010, Kate watches William graduate from the helicopter training course. In October last year, the couple get engaged in private in Kenya and the official announcement of the engagement is made with the wedding to follow in the year 2011.
Prince William and Kate Middleton : The famous – Engagement ring
Kate Middleton engagement ring
The private engagement happened when the couple was holidaying together with some friends at Kenya, with William claiming to be carrying the ring for almost 3 weeks in his rucksack, waiting for the right moment before he popped the question.
The engagement ring which is in platinum with an 18 carat blue sapphire and diamonds, was chosen by Princess Diana, mother of Prince Williams for her engagement and had cost 28,000 GBP at that time. Prince Charles, father of William had slipped the same ring in the fingers of Princess Diana in February 1981.
While giving the ring to Kate, William said that the ring was very special to him and was his way of making sure that his mother did not miss out on today and the excitement and the fact that Kate and he are going to spend the rest of their lives together.
The wedding dresses
wedding dress
While much has been written, guessed, speculated and talked about what the future Queen and King will be wearing on their special day, there is no confirmed news about the designers working on the bride-to-be dress nor on any colour, cut etc.
In the past, Kate’s engagement dress by Issa, made the fashion designers and houses go in a tizzy to recreate the magic in mass reproductions and make it affordable for the general public. The frenzy this time around is going to be no less, with independent designers, fashion houses, all set to sketch, sample and get knock offs of the dress of the century, ready within days of the royal wedding to hit the market.
Prince Williams is rumoured to be appearing in his Army uniform – though which one of the three of which he has been a part of – Army, Navy or the Air Force is anyone’s guess. In the past, Prince Charles ( William’s father) and Prince Philip ( William’s grandfather) have worn the Royal Navy uniforms to their wedding. I am sure, whatever Prince William decides to wear, and he would look his handsome best.
Watch this space for more details tomorrow, as the wedding dresses are revealed!
The Royal wedding ceremony
Prince William and Kate Middelton royal wedding ceremony
The wedding ceremony will take place at the West minister Abbey, which has witnessed queen Elizabeth’s wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 and Diana’s 1997 memorial service. According to royal sources William and Kate have chosen this venue because of its staggering beauty, its 1000 years of royal history and its relative intimacy despite its size.
On Wednesday, 27th April, a private wedding rehearsal has already taken place. The one and a half hour event , also involving senior clergy was attended by the to-be-wed, the bride’s parents and the best man – Prince Harry.
On the day of the wedding (tomorrow), the guests will start arriving into the hallowed Church early morning 8.45 am London time. The royal family – Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip will arrive from Buckingham palace at 10. 50 am. The bridegroom – Prince William with his best man and brother Prince Harry will also arrive at almost the same time. The last to arrive would be the bride of course, with her dad Michael Middleton in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI at 10. 50 am.
The wedding ceremony will begin at 11.00 am, with the Bishop of London giving a ‘personal address’. The wedding band will be placed on Kate’s finger. Prince Williams has chosen to go ring less. Vows will be exchanged, followed with the performance by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, the Chapel Royal Choir and the London Chamber Orchestra.
The newlyweds will leave for the Buckingham palace at 12.00 pm, with the bells heralding their departure. They will be using one of the two fairy tale carriages – open state Landau Coach, if it is fair weather or the enclosed Glass coach, if it rains.
The wedding ceremony will be telecast live on the BBC network and you could also view it live on the Official website for the royal wedding – https://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org.
At 1.25 pm, after the private photo session, the couple will be appearing at the balcony to wave out and greet the crowds. He much anticipated question is – will they kiss? Shortly afterwards, there will be the Royal Air Force flyover.
The reception held by the queen will witness 600 guests, who will be treated to champagne and canapés and the cake cutting will happen. On the menu will also be fruitcake topped with handcrafted flowers and a second cake made of chocolate and tea biscuits will also be served, as per William’s request.
Mid afternoon, the bride and groom will be driven to St. James Palace via the Mall by car, which will perhaps be the last time they will be seen in public that day.
Later in the evening, Price Charles will be hosting the after wedding bash at the palace, with a guest list of 300 people.
Prince Williams and Catherine Middleton will leave to an undisclosed location for their honeymoon, which will be hugely private – it is rumoured that the destination will most likely be the sun kissed Seychelles.
The Royal Wedding Guest list
The ceremony will be attended by 1900 people. In addition to the members of both the families, the wedding list includes foreign royal families, politicians from home and abroad, military personnel and representatives of various charities and faiths. The celebrity guest includes the Australian Swimmer and five time Olympic gold winner – Ian Thorpe, who is known to be close to William; Rowan Atkinson or the famous Mr. Beans, friend of Prince Charles; sir Elton John, the singer, who has been a friend of Princess Diana; David and Victoria Beckham, friends of William; Guy Ritchie- friend of both Kate and Williams and Joss Stone- English Soul winger and writer who performed at the concert for Diana in the years 2007and 2008.
The guest list also includes Bucklebury locals – John Haley, landlord of the Old Boot inn, where William and Kate like to stay when they are visiting Kate’s home village of Bucklebury and Mrs. Shingadia, who runs a store and takes care to stock the duo’s favourite things and from where the duo shop a lot.
The music is set, the cake nearly baked, the dress would have gone through the final fittings – we are all set to witness one of the most watched events in our lifetimes – the Royal Wedding and you are invited to leave your thoughts and comments on this!
Image: P R Photos, Shutterstock