William and Kate (the Prince and Princess of Wales) were married on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. The ceremony, which began at 11:00 AM, was attended by 1,900 guests. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the marriage, followed by a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.
—“It is something they absolutely wanted to do, and William graciously accepted,” a senior aide tells Vanity Fair writer Katie Nicholl, confirming the rumor that the Middletons would be making a six-figure contribution to the royal wedding. Traditionally the royal family alone pays the entire cost.
The most famous wedding at St Paul's Cathedral was Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (Princess of Wales) in 1981, chosen for its size to accommodate guests, but other notable weddings include Prince Arthur (Henry VIII's brother) and Catherine of Aragon in 1501, and more recently, Spice Girl Mel B (Melanie Brown) to hairstylist Rory McPhee in 2025.
The custom was in itself not unimportant as consummation of a marriage was important in all future dealings: legitimacy, grounds for annulment, etc. Remember these were important marriages that decided the future faith of kingdoms.
What is the most famous wedding at St Paul's Cathedral?
One of the most famous weddings to take place at Saint Paul's Cathedral, London, was that of Diana, princess of Wales, and Charles, prince of Wales (later Charles III) on July 29, 1981. The choice was unusual as most heirs to the throne have been married at Westminster Abbey, London.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced in March 2024 that she was diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January of that year; tests revealed the presence of cancer, leading her to begin preventative chemotherapy, which she completed in the summer of 2024, and she has since been focusing on recovery and gradually returning to public duties, though the specific type and stage of cancer remain private.
Kate and Prince William eat breakfast separately on Christmas Day due to a long-standing royal tradition where the men have a hearty breakfast downstairs while the women eat lighter meals in their rooms to allow more time for hair and makeup before the heavily photographed church service, a custom revealed by former royal chef Darren McGrady, though they dine together for other meals.
Which word did Princess Diana remove from her vows?
Princess Diana famously removed the word "obey" from her wedding vows to Prince Charles in 1981, choosing instead to promise to "love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health," a move that modernized royal tradition and was later followed by her daughters-in-law, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
St. Paul's Cathedral's crypt is the final resting place for many of Britain's national heroes, including Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and architect Sir Christopher Wren, alongside scientists like Alexander Fleming, artist J.M.W. Turner, and nurse Florence Nightingale, with many more notable figures interred or memorialized there.
The marriage of Charles and Diana, (later the Prince and Princess of Wales), took place on 29 July 1981, marking a highpoint in the popularity of the Royal Family. It was seen by a global television audience of 750 million in 74 countries.
What type of surgery did Kate Middleton likely have?
Kate Middleton had planned abdominal surgery in January 2024, initially described as successful and non-cancerous, but later revealed to be for a cancer found during the operation, requiring preventative chemotherapy, though the specific type of cancer or surgery wasn't disclosed, it likely involved organs like the gallbladder, ovaries, or appendix, with experts suggesting a routine procedure unexpectedly revealed malignant cells, not a known cancer beforehand.
Kate Middleton's parents, Carole and Michael, are reportedly facing serious debt due to financial struggles with their business, The Party Pieces Company, which they founded in 1987. The party planning company went into administration in June 2023, owing creditors £2.6 million.
Yes, Prince William and Kate Middleton sleep together, but they often share their bed with their dog, Orla, a detail Prince William shared, revealing a cozy, pet-friendly arrangement, though they've also used separate beds during travel for practical reasons, a common practice for royals.
Kate, who was diagnosed with lupus at 17 years old, said she was lucky to have clinicians that she trusted when she began her reproductive journey but without them, it would have been “terrifying.”
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a wedding dress designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and the Spencer family Tiara, leave St. Paul's Cathedral following their wedding on July 29, 1981 in London, England.
Celebrated painters like Joshua Reynolds and JMW Turner were buried at St Paul's. As was caricaturist and illustrator George Cruikshank, whose remains were moved from Kensal Green Cemetery to the cathedral in 1878. Many of Cruikshank's prints are in our collection. Funeral card from the funeral of Joshua Reynolds.
Why did Princess Diana get married at St. Paul's instead of Westminster Abbey?
Charles and Diana selected St Paul's over Westminster Abbey, the traditional site of royal weddings, because St Paul's offered more seating and permitted a longer procession through London.
