The Most Memorable Moment From Prince William and Kate’s Wedding Revealed (And it Isn’t the Balcony Kisses)
Millions of royal fans from all across the globe watched Prince William and the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton) say “I do” on April 29, 2011.
There were so many memorable moments that day from Kate arriving at Westminster Abbey in her Alexander McQueen gown to her sister, Pippa, causing a frenzy as she held the train of her sibling’s dress to Prince William joking with his future father-in-law at the altar to a young, “grumpy” bridesmaid to the couple’s carriage procession as newlyweds through the streets of London to their two balcony kisses.
But what was the most memorable of all? A new poll reveals that it wasn’t the first post-wedding balcony kiss or the second.
The survey was conducted by Censuswide for Betfair Casino with 2,000 nationally representative U.K. general respondents, aged 18 and over.
According to the data, 30% of respondents chose Princess Kate’s wedding dress.
The gown was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. It featured a fitted bodice with lace appliqué, long lace sleeves, and a full skirt made of ivory and white satin gazar. The lace was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using traditional Carrickmacross techniques. The dress had a nine-foot train and a V-neckline. Kate paired it with a Cartier Halo tiara, lent by Queen Elizabeth II. The design blended modern elegance with Victorian influences, reflecting both royal tradition and contemporary British fashion craftsmanship at the time.
The balcony kisses actually ranked as the second most memorable moment in the poll with 27%.
Coming in as the No. 3 most memorable moment is Kate’s curtsey in front of Queen Elizabeth II. That gesture followed royal protocol as Kate bent her knees slightly while keeping her back straight, then rose and continued along the aisle. Television coverage captured the moment, and photographs showed the queen smiling brightly at the bride.
Ranking next with 12%, following the ceremony was when William and Kate drove away from Buckingham Palace together in a convertible, signaling that they were driving off into the sunset to live happily ever after.
Also on the list that had a lot of people talking that day but didn’t have anything to do with what the bride or the groom did, was the hat Prince William’s cousin, Princess Beatrice, wore.
The princess’s fascinator was considered the most memorable by 7% of those surveyed.
Years after the royal wedding, both Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie, admitted that they were in tears over the harsh criticism that came their way for what they chose to wear on William’s big day.
In an interview with British Vogue, Eugenie said that she and Beatrice broke down crying at a Buckingham Palace garden party, recalling, “There was a horrible article that had been written about Beatrice, and she got really upset. We were just about to step out, and she had a bit of a wobble and cried. I was looking after her. And then about an hour later, I had a wobble and started crying.”
Beatrice’s facinator was later sold on eBay, with the proceeds going to the charities UNICEF and Children in Crisis.
