Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare honoringQueen Elizabethin a place that holds special meaning to them all.
The monarch’s state funeral was held Monday atWestminster Abbeyin London, drawing 2,000 royals, politicians and leaders from around the world. For the newPrince and Princess of Wales, it marked a return to their royal wedding venue. Their children,Prince George, 9, andPrincess Charlotte, 7, alsojoined their parentsin the royal procession behind the Queen’s coffin.
Kate, 40, and William, 40,tied the knot in April 2011, withQueen Elizabethproudly watching in a bright-yellow ensemble.
Courtiers have told PEOPLE that themonarch was uncharacteristically overjoyed on the couple’s wedding day, content in the knowledge that the line of succession — so fraught in the years following the checkered marriages of three of her own children — was secure.
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Queen Elizabeth.Kurt Krieger/Corbis
Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey with her father, Michael Middleton, in a lace Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding dress.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds climbed into a century-old State Landau carriage for a procession to Buckingham Palace.
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They then appeared on the palace’s famous balcony and kissed to cheers from the gathered crowd.
Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton.Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton.PHOTO: BBCPrince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.PHOTO: Ian Gavan/GP/Getty
Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton.Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.
Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton.
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.
Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton.PHOTO: BBCPrince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.PHOTO: Ian Gavan/GP/Getty
Westminster Abbey was also the location for Queen Elizabeth’s nuptials. The then-Princess Elizabethwalked down the aisleat the famous London church to marryPrince Philipon Nov. 20, 1947.
The wedding brought smiles and celebrations to the nation — something that was certainly needed just two years after the end ofWorld War II.
At the time of their wedding, millions of Britons were living in the aftermath of the bomb-damaged cities and coping with food rations. The wedding service was the first major event after the end of the war.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day.Hulton Archive/Getty
Westminster Abbey also served as the location forQueen Elizabeth’s 1953 coronation.
She wasofficially crowned on June 2, 1953, in front of 27 million viewers who watched on television, 11 million who tuned in via radio and 8,000 distinguished guests who attended in person.
Westminster Abbey.Tim Graham/Getty
Westminster Abbey also invokes some somber memories for the late monarch and her family members. In March 2022, Westminster Abbey hosted amemorial service for Prince Philip, nearly one year after his death at age 99.
Although a small funeral was held for the Duke of Edinburgh at St. George’s Chapel, whereQueen Elizabethwill have her committal service after her state funeral on Monday, it was limited in capacity due toCOVID-19restrictions.
The service at the Abbey provided an opportunity for representatives of the many charities and organizations thatPrince Philipworked with to pay tribute to him.
source: people.com
