During one of the most-watched royal weddings in history, Prince William kept his back to Kate Middleton as she walked down the aisle, a detail that still draws curiosity today.
At the time, the gesture stood out precisely because it left so much open to interpretation, with cameras unable to capture what was happening on his face. For years since, royal watchers have continued to revisit the moment, trying to understand the reasoning behind such an unusual choice during a ceremony filled with tradition.
According to Marie Claire, William kept his back toward his future wife throughout her four-minute walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Reportedly William kept his back toward Kate so he would be the last person to see her before they married, per tradition.
Royal expert Marcia Moody told the magazine that William’s brother, Prince Harry, did confirm that Kate looked lovely. She confirmed Harry told William, “Right, she is here now. Well, she looks beautiful, I can tell you that.”
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According to the official Westminster Abbey website, on the couple’s wedding day, around 2,000 specially-invited guests filled the Abbey. Included were elected officials, foreign royal families and celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham and Sir Elton John.
A procession took place in a specific order, with all guests arriving ahead of the late Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip. Then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles arrived just before the monarch.
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Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey on the arm of her father, Michael Middleton, after members of the royal family had already taken their seats. Her sister, Pippa Middleton, served as maid of honor, an uncommon choice for a royal wedding, where the bridal party is typically made up of children.
The couple’s vows also kept with tradition. Each said the same words, except inserting their proper names at the beginning.
William’s vow began with, “I, William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee, Catherine Elizabeth, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth.” Kate’s followed with “I, Catherine Elizabeth.”
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After they were pronounced husband and wife, one part of the ceremony was kept away from the cameras. Kate, William, Harry, and Pippa stepped into the Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor to sign the marriage register in a private moment reserved for the couple and their closest witnesses.
Kate Middleton and Prince William are married 15 years. They have three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
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