Entertainment

Kate Middleton & Prince William's Fairy-Tale Wedding: 31 Images We'll Never Forget

Amy Goldman

Even years later, we still can't get over Kate Middleton and Prince William’s magical wedding. We're feeling nostalgic for that moment back in April 2011, when we first fell in love with Kate, her sister Pippa, and their extremely chic taste in dresses. We especially loved that, behind all of the fanfare surrounding the wedding, it was so obvious that Kate and William were just two crazy kids in love.

From the guest and royal family arrivals and our first glimpse at the Kate's extraordinary dress to the traditional ceremony in Westminster Abbey and the TWO balcony kisses at Buckingham Palace that followed, the marriage festivities of Kate Middleton and Prince William on April 29, 2011, were nothing if not enchanting. There were celebrities, there were fascinators galore, there were thousands of tiny waving British flags, there was only one Queen, and there was one extra tiny bridesmaid who was pretty much over it by the end. The British lined the streets while Americans and the rest of the world tuned in to watch. 

Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit the Disney princess-level gorgeous wedding of the lovely Duchess and Duke of Cambridge. It was a day we'll never forget -- because those Royals really know how to pull off one heck of a wedding.

1/31
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The Royal Hats Have Arrived
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The Royal Hats Have Arrived

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice arrive at the wedding sporting absolutely fabulous royal hats. They appear to be cosplaying as a peacock and a pair of ballet slippers, respectively.

2/31
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This Charming Man
WUF/Splash News

This Charming Man

England's other royal couple arrives for the ceremony. It looks like Victoria is gently reminding a very giddy David Beckham, "Darling, this isn't our wedding."

3/31
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Page Boys And Flower Girls
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Page Boys And Flower Girls

This looks like the cast photo for a Shakespearean play about fairy princesses and tiny matadors.

More from CafeMom: 8 Times Kate Middleton Channeled Princess Diana's Style

4/31
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Fascinators
WPA Pool/Getty

Fascinators

The daughters of Earl Spencer (that's Princess Diana's brother, Charles) Lady Amelia, Lady Eliza, and Lady Kitty await the bride and groom inside Westminster Abbey.

5/31
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Mother of the Bride
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Mother of the Bride

Kate's mother Carole Middleton is radiant in her pale blue Catherine Walker coat and shift dress ensemble.

6/31
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Daddy's Boy
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Daddy's Boy

William's father Prince Charles arrives with wife Camilla Parker Bowles. Camilla looks lovely in her Anna Valentine-designed outfit, but the real scene-stealer is that hat. It resembles a lacy spare tire.

7/31
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Smooth Criminals
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Smooth Criminals

Prince William and his best man, Prince Harry, arrive in style. If you're starting to think this slideshow is a thinly veiled excuse to post photos of handsome men, you're right.

8/31
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Bachelors
WPA Pool/Getty

Bachelors

Here, Receiver General Stephen Lamport (right) greets best man Prince Harry and the groom Prince William, as they arrive inside Westminster Abbey before the wedding. Is it us, or does Harry look more nervous than Will?

9/31
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Anticipation
WPA Pool/Getty

Anticipation

The bridesmaids and page boys wait inside the Westminster Abbey before the wedding.

10/31
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Sir Mix-a-Lot Approved
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Sir Mix-a-Lot Approved

Kate's sister and maid of honor, Pippa, looks stunning in her figure-flattering bridesmaid dress. Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the silk-crepe, cowl-neck gown features lace trim and button details.

11/31
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Bow Down
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Bow Down

Queen Elizabeth arrives rocking a vibrant yellow Angela Kelly ensemble like few other women can.

12/31
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Princess Bride
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Princess Bride

Kate dazzles in her lace overlay wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, causing little girls around the world to dream about their own wedding days.

More from CafeMom: 20 Times Kate Middleton's Stunning Jewelry Took Our Breath Away

13/31
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Picture Perfect Princess
Dan Kitwood/Getty

Picture Perfect Princess

Let's take a closer look at the bride. Perfection.

14/31
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We Are Gathered Here Today
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We Are Gathered Here Today

The wedding ceremony commences at Westminster Abbey. An estimated 300 million viewers around the world watch the TV broadcast of the event.

15/31
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Fantastic Fairytale
WPA Pool/Getty

Fantastic Fairytale

Love this amazing shot of the bride Kate Middleton arriving at the altar in Westminster Abbey with her dad. Look at the flurry of tiny bridesmaids!

16/31
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Center Stage
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Center Stage

Most fathers can't imagine giving away their daughters at a ceremony with a guest list of 1,900, but Kate's father Michael handles it like a pro.

17/31
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Father of the Bride
WPA Pool/Getty

Father of the Bride

Then Catherine Middleton smiles at her groom Prince William, while still holding the hand of her father Michael Middleton. Beautiful.

18/31
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'I Do!'
WPA Pool/Getty

'I Do!'

Prince William and Catherine Middleton take their vows during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

19/31
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Lovebirds
WPA Pool/Getty

Lovebirds

Look at these two. Giddy in love.

20/31
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As You Wish
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As You Wish

William places the traditional Welsh gold wedding ring on Kate's finger.

21/31
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I Give You This Ring
WPA Pool

I Give You This Ring

The look on Kate's face in this shot is priceless. It's somewhere between "Take me now!" and "Don't screw this up."

22/31
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Leaving Westminster
WPA Pool/Getty

Leaving Westminster

Here's a birds-eye view of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leaving Westminster Abbey immediately following their marriage ceremony. They're followed by their wedding party and parents.

23/31
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Straight Outta Cinderella
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Straight Outta Cinderella

Newlywed and with new titles to boot, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge look picture-perfect after their wedding ceremony. 

More from CafeMom The Stir: 16 of Kate Middleton's Dresses We'd Love to Steal From Her Closet

24/31
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Pippa's Got the Caboose
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Pippa's Got the Caboose

Pippa carries the train of Kate's beautiful gown as the wedding party leaves Westminster Abbey.

25/31
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The Mr. & Mrs.
Warren Little/Getty

The Mr. & Mrs.

Their Royal Highnesses wave to the people on their carriage ride to Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony.

26/31
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Royal Fans
Oli Scarff/Getty

Royal Fans

Well wishers pack the route to Buckingham Palace, in hopes of catching a tiny glimpse of the newlyweds, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge ... or maybe even the Queen!

27/31
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Back at Buckingham Palace
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Back at Buckingham Palace

The wedding festivities continue on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

More from CafeMom: 20 Times Kate Middleton Proved Nobody Looks Better in a Hat Than Her

28/31
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Is This a Kissing Book?
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Is This a Kissing Book?

The newlyweds share a kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony in a seriously classy instance of PDA.

29/31
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Are We There Yet?
Mark Cuthbert/Getty

Are We There Yet?

Of course, if we zoom out a bit, we can see that one particular little bridesmaid wasn't that excited about all the kissing stuff.

30/31
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Daenerys in Training
Splash News

Daenerys in Training

We're pretty sure this serious little bridesmaid is thinking, "Soon I will rule over you all, with Harry by my side. I play the game of thrones to win."

31/31
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Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo
Splash News

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo

It isn't an enchanted pumpkin, but this horse-drawn 1902 State Landau carriage will do. 

More from CafeMom: 25 Times Kate Middleton & Prince William Couldn't Hide Their Love for Each Other

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