The bride wore a dress by Sarah Burton, creative director at the late Alexander McQueen's fashion house. The intricate gown, which she paired with a tiara borrowed from the queen, had lace sleeves, a plunging neckline and a two-meter train.
Most Rev. Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual head of the Anglican denomination, officiated the nuptials. When his bride arrived at the altar, William appeared to whisper in her ear, "you look beautiful."
The couple comfortably recited their vows without so much as a stumble or stutter. Keeping with Anglican tradition, both the bride and groom pronounced "I will" after stating their vows. But instead of pledging to "obey" her husband, Middleton vowed to "love, honor, comfort and keep" him.
The royal ceremony began with the hymn "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer" and, after the couple exchanged vows, continued with "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling." In a subtle tribute to the groom's mother, the initial hymn was also played at the late Princess Diana's funeral.
William slipped a wedding ring made of rare Welsh gold on his bride's finger. The band was crafted by the Wartski company, a shop founded in Wales in 1865 and long associated with the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II gave the jewelry to her grandson shortly after he announced his engagement in November, and both she and Diana also wore wedding rings made of Welsh gold. Like his father, Prince Charles (when he wed Diana), and grandfather, Prince Phillip, William will not wear a wedding band.
The wedding party consisted of family and close friends. Middleton's younger sister, Pippa, 27, served as her maid of honor, while Harry, 26, acted as best man to his older brother.
Bridesmaids included Prince William's goddaughter, three-year-old Grace Van Cutsem; Queen Elizabeth II's grandniece, the honorable Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 8; Lady Louise Windsor, 7, Prince William's cousin; and three-year-old Eliza Lopes, granddaughter of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Prince William's godson Tom Pettifer, 8, child of his former personal assistant Tiggy Pettifer, was page boy, along with William Lowther-Pinkerton, 10, son of William's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.
