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On April 29, 2011, the world watched as Prince William married Kate Middleton in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey. What followed was a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth for 650 guests and a smaller, more intimate celebration for 300 guests hosted by Prince Charles. New details have emerged about this second reception in Buckingham Palace, where the newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge surprised their guests in a truly memorable way.
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According to biographer Robert Jobson's new book "William: The Modern Prince", guests described the evening celebrations as "the most magical party imaginable". Only William and Kate's closest friends and family were invited. Live entertainment was provided by singer Ellie Goulding, one of the couple's favorite artists. Goulding sang Elton John's "Your Song" to mark William and Kate's first dance. Afterwards, she said performing the song left her hands shaking from nerves.
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Goulding then performed several more songs, including her hit "Starry Eyed" and a cover of "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers, another song favored by William and Kate. Reports from the time also stated that the newlyweds sang and danced to "Hey Jude" by The Beatles. One guest said William and Kate "really went for it" and "were in the full party spirit", staying until the very end of the celebrations.
But William and Kate had an even bigger surprise in store for their guests. As Jobson revealed, the couple stood in the middle of the dance floor holding hands, grinning at one another. Suddenly, the opening bars of "You're the One That I Want" from the musical Grease began playing. William and Kate then began dancing around, pointing at each other and mouthing the lyrics, recreating the iconic dance made famous by Danny and Sandy in the film. Jobson writes that their performance "brought the house down".
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Guests were then asked to go outside to the palace grounds, where another surprise was waiting. A classic Fiat convertible had been decorated with balloons and an open roof. One guest recalled that the newlyweds and some guests squeezed inside while a staff member drove them around the gravel paths as fireworks went off overhead. Though the drive only lasted two minutes, it provided a magical end to the night's celebrations.
News reports from the time stated that as guests began leaving at 3 AM, William and Kate remained as the only guests in Buckingham Palace. Their afterparty antics cemented their status as fun, down-to-earth royals who weren't afraid to let loose and have a good time even on their wedding day. Over a decade later, detailed accounts from insiders like Jobson continue to provide rare glimpses into the private lives of the future King and Queen Consort.
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Now settled into family life with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the Cambridges still find ways to give back through charitable work. In 2021, Kate launched the Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood to support early development in children. On July 25, 2022, the organization announced the launch of the Baby Bank Alliance uniting over 300 baby banks across the UK.
The Center shared photos on Instagram of Kate visiting baby banks in 2022 and 2023. In one pre-Christmas outing near their Windsor home, Kate brought George, Charlotte and Louis to volunteer sorting donations. Footage showed the family happily helping families in need. Kate said seeing the smiles of grateful parents made the work "very rewarding." Adorable moments included Louie calling a toy gorilla a "big guy" and Charlotte laughing at Welsh-themed baby clothes.
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Over a decade after their fairytale wedding, William and Kate continue upholding their duties as senior royals while prioritizing family. Through charitable work like the Baby Bank Alliance, they aim to make a positive impact on early childhood development. Rare behind-the-scenes glimpses into their 2011 wedding reception remind us that beyond their status, the Cambridges remain devoted to each other and committed to having fun even on their biggest occasions. Their ability to honor tradition while staying grounded has surely contributed to their lasting popularity among the British public.
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