Дванадцять років тому, 29 квітня 2011-го, в Лондоні спадкоємець британської корони принц Вільям взяв за дружину свою кохану – Кетрін Міддлтон.

Караван історій згадує, як це було.

Принц Вільям – старший син Чарльза, тоді принца Уельського, а нині короля Чарльза III, і покійної принцеси Діани – познайомився з Кейт Міддлтон в 2001 році, коли вони разом навчалися в Сент-Ендрюському університеті. Про їхні заручини 20 жовтня 2010 року було оголошено 16 листопада 2010 року. Урочиста служба королівського вінчання в Вестмінстерському абатстві транслювалася в прямому ефірі по всьому світу і багато в чому порівнювалася з одруженням батьків Вільяма, принца Чарльза та леді Діани Спенсер, чий шлюб було укладено у 1981 році.

Оскільки принц Вільям не був прямим спадкоємцем престолу, весілля не було повністю державною подією, і багато деталей були залишені на розсуд самої пари, такі як більшість списку гостей з приблизно 1900 чоловік. Церемонію відвідали більшість королівської сім’ї, а також багато членів іноземних королівських сімей, дипломати та особисті гості пари.

День весілля було оголошено у Великій Британії державним святом. Для урочистостей використовувалися королівський гараж, піша та кінна гвардії.

За кілька годин до служби королева надала Вільяму титули герцог Кембриджський, граф Стратхернський та барон Керрікфергюський. Після одруження Міддлтон стала Її Королівською Високістю герцогинею Кембриджською.

На Міддлтон була біла сукня від британської дизайнерки Сари Бертон та тіара, позичена їй королевою. Принц Вільям був у формі свого почесного звання полковника ірландської гвардії.

Шафером Вільяма бул його брат, принц Гаррі, а головною дружкою нареченої була її сестра Піппа Міддлтон. Церемонія одруження розпочалася об 11:00 за Гринвічем.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton arrives to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine Middleton arrives with her father Michael Middleton followed by sister of the bride and Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton inside Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, to Catherine Middleton is being held in London today. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the service which was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding and street parties are being held throughout the UK. (Photo by Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Prince William places a wedding ring on the finger of his Bride, Catherine Middleton during their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Dave Thompson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, his new bride Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Middleton (L) take part in the service on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Clara Molden - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

LONDON - APRIL 29: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leave the Westminster Abbey after their wedding ceremony on April 29, 2011 in London,England. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 29: Prince Harry and Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey following the wedding ceremony of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on April 29, 2011 in London England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Clara Molden - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Queen Elizabeth II following the marriage of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smile following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Після церемонії у Вестмінстерському абатстві молодята проїхали у процесії до Букінгемського палацу для традиційного виходу на балкон і повітряного параду перед натовпом, що зібрався на Мелл.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: A general view of the carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following the marriage of TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and husband Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (unseen) make the journey in the 1902 State Landau carriage on the procession route after their wedding at Westminster Abbey along The Mall to Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Paul Hackett - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: In this handout image provided by Crown Copyright, Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (POA(Phot) Mez Merrill/Mandatory Credit MOD/Crown Copyright via Getty Images)

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Their Royal Highnesses Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne is to be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: TRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge make the journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Photo by John Stillwell-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: In this handout image provided by Crown Copyright, Prince Harry waves to the crowd as they make the journey by carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the second in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have also flocked to London to witness the spectacle and pageantry of the Royal Wedding. (Sergeant Dan Harmer RLC/Mandatory Credit MOD/Crown Copyright via Getty Images)

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Пізніше принц провіз герцогиню на коротку відстань до Кларенс-хаус в батьківському класичному Aston Martin DB6 Volante, який принц Гаррі прикрасив номером «JU5T WED» (скорочення, яке можна перекласти як «щойно одружилися»).

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Для закритого святкування у Букінгемському палаці герцогиня Кетрін змінила сукню.

Свадьба принца Уильяма и Кейт Миддлтон

Фото – Getty Images

Дивіться також:

Терпляча Попелюшка: як Кейт Міддлтон підкорила серце принца Вільяма

Королевская диета. Как худела Кейт Миддлтон перед свадьбой с принцем Уильямом 

Принц Гарри и Меган Маркл празднуют четвертую годовщину свадьбы: лучшие фото церемонии