To celebrate William and Kate’s 14th wedding anniversary, I’m taking a closer look at some of the fascinating details you might have missed—or perhaps forgotten—from their big day.
Beyond the sweeping gowns and grand processions, the day was woven with small, thoughtful moments—many of which went unnoticed at the time.
From symbolic florals to lip-syncing, archaic traditions to pink fuzzy toys—here are ten fascinating facts you might have missed 14 years ago…
1)The Guest List Included Six Former Flames
In a move that might raise eyebrows outside aristocratic circles, both William and Kate invited six former romantic partners to their wedding.
William’s guest list featured four ex-girlfriends: Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, Arabella Musgrave, Rose Farquhar, and Jecca Craig. Kate extended invitations to two of her ex-boyfriends: Rupert Finch and Willem Marx.
This practice aligns with a longstanding upper-class British tradition where maintaining amicable relationships with exes is customary.
The social circles of the Royal Family are small and for better or worse, exes in their society are expected to get along. Or act as if they do, anyway.
Daily Mail
As noted by Town & Country correspondent William Norwich, “It is one of the determining details of the upper-class species that they keep friendly with their exes, once the pain of the breakup heals … It is custom of the class… “
2) Kate Transformed Westminster Abbey into a Living ‘Country Garden’
When it came to decorating Westminster Abbey for the big day, the now-Princess had one theme in mind: ‘English Country Garden’.
It’s reported Kate had more than four tons of foliage shipped inside the Abbey to bring her theme to life.
According to the head florist in charge of decorating for the royal wedding, Kate wanted to keep the colours neutral and source everything locally.
She had the historic building decorated with over 30,000 flowers from Windsor Great Park’s Valley Gardens in Surrey.
She also brought in eight living trees that were later replanted: six field maples and two hornbeam trees, all of which reached around 25 feet tall.
Guests walked under the ‘living avenue’, which flanked the aisle, as they took to their seats.
The idea, reportedly Kate’s own, subtly echoed her love of nature. The theme turned the grand space into a softer, more romantic scene.
The theme is that everything is from the estates, that everything is English, that everything is seasonal, and all along Catherine has asked that it’s just all neutral colour-wise.
The aim is the abbey looks unpretentious and simple and natural and that it reflects the fact that Catherine is a country girl at heart and that the couple are the best of British.
Shane Connolly, Artistic director of flowers for the Royal Wedding.
3) Kate Did Her Own Wedding Make-Up
Most brides choose to enlist a professional to handle their wedding day make-up. You’d think a future Princess preparing to face the world’s cameras and marry live on television in front of millions of people would follow suit. But not Kate.
She declined to hire a make-up artist for the wedding, reportedly telling palace aides that she “knows her own face” and was confident she could achieve a professional finish herself.
Ahead of the big day, it’s believed she took lessons with a Bobbi Brown make-up artist—a canny move—but on the day, she applied all the products herself.
After the wedding, the brand confirmed Kate had worn their products during the ceremony. In fact, you can find the exact products and colours she used listed online.
I think it was a bold decision, but one that paid off beautifully.
4) She Wore a Nugget of Rare Welsh Gold
And she still wears it to this day! The rare nugget of pure Welsh gold, sourced from the Clogau St. David’s mine, was fashioned into a wedding ring for the Princess.
In fact, every royal bride since Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, in 1923, has worn a wedding ring made from the same Welsh vein. It’s a small, precious link to the past—and the future for Kate, as she received the ‘Princess of Wales’ title 11 years after her nuptials.
5) The Bride’s Gown Carried a Secret Tribute
Sarah Burton’s design for Kate wasn’t only exquisite—it was symbolic. Four national flowers were Woven into the fine lace: the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock.
It was a subtle tribute to the United Kingdom.
Followers of the Princess today won’t be surprised by this thoughtful tribute. Kate often uses her outfits to acknowledge customs and traditions, particularly during royal tours and high-profile engagements.
6) Kate’s Bouquet Told a Story Too…
Kate’s understated bouquet, designed by Shane Connolly, was also steeped in symbolism.
Alongside traditional choices like lily of the valley (symbolising trustworthiness) and hyacinth (symbolising constancy of love, Kate had sprigs of myrtle included from Queen Victoria’s 170-year-old garden—another royal wedding tradition. The bouquet also included Sweet William—likely a nod to the groom. Aww!
7) The Bride Also Hid “Something Blue” in Her Dress
Most brides follow the “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” rhyme on their wedding day, as a good luck charm. It’s reported that Kate followed in Princess Diana’s footsteps by having a small blue ribbon sewn discreetly into the lining of her gown.
Speaking of gowns…
8) The Bride Changed into a Strapless Gown for the Reception
I’m sure you remember the demure lace-sleeved McQueen gown Kate wore to the ceremony?
Fewer people recall her second look: a strapless, sweetheart-neckline satin dress worn during the evening reception at Buckingham Palace.
Over, she wore a chic angora bolero, which, one imagines, was swiftly abandoned once the dancing began!
And, on the topic of dancing…
9) William and Kate Performed Choreography at Their Wedding Reception
This is the detail that surprised me the most about William and Kate’s wedding! According to reports, during the evening reception, the new Duke and Duchess took to the dance floor to perform a playful, choreographed routine.
Apparently, the newlyweds performed to “You’re The One That I Want” from Grease, even lip synching to the words!
Hands up if you’d like to see THAT wedding video!
Let’s finish with this frankly ADORABLE detail that had totally passed me by until now…
10) One Young Bridesmaid Carried a Secret Companion
Look closely at this formal wedding portrait. Do you notice anything out of place?
Zoom in and you’ll see three-year-old bridesmaid Eliza Lopes clutching a bright pink fuzzy worm toy. I’m not sure how I hadn’t noticed this before:
It’s reported that Prince Harry had overheard conversations about the young children becoming overwhelmed on the big day, so he came prepared. He gifted a bright pink fuzzy worm toy to the young Miss Lopes. She loved the toy so much that she declined to let it go, so it stayed firmly in her grasp during the official photos. I think it’s hysterical that she’s stood next to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip with the small pink toy in her hand.
Did any of these details surprise you?
Or do you remember a detail from the Royal Wedding that I’ve missed, which you think should be included in this article? Let me know in the comments section below!
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