Royal biographer Robert Jobson is back with a fresh book offering new and exciting details from inside the Royal Family. His latest work, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, provides intriguing insights into one of the most-watched royal weddings ever—Prince William and Kate Middleton’s.
The couple married on April 29, 2011, with a grand total of 1,900 guests at the ceremony and nearly 1,000 at the receptions. However, there were many special moments that the public never got to see. Here’s a peek into what went unnoticed from the big day.
While 1,900 people attended the wedding, only a fraction of them showed up for the two receptions held afterward. Queen Elizabeth hosted 650 guests at the first reception, and Prince Charles (now King Charles) welcomed 300 guests at the second, more intimate gathering held in Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room.
Jobson’s book reveals that one guest described the evening as “the most magical party imaginable.” The biographer notes that only William and Kate’s closest friends were present, and the entertainment featured a live band led by their favorite artist, Ellie Goulding. After the couple’s first dance, Goulding performed Elton John’s “Your Song” and admitted to being “scary nervous” with shaking hands. She also sang her hit “Starry Eyed” and a cover of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” both of which were favorites of the newlyweds. The night ended with a fireworks display after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge danced and sang to The Beatles’ “She Loves You.”
A guest at the time recalled that “William and Kate were in the middle, giving it their all. They really went for it. They were in the full party spirit and stayed until the last minute.”
According to Jobson, Prince William and Kate had a special surprise for the finale: they held hands on the dance floor and danced to “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease, mimicking the lead characters Danny and Sandy. The performance was a big hit and left everyone cheering.
Jobson’s book also reveals some surprising facts. It recounts how Prince William once broke up with Kate over a phone call in 2007, just before the media was buzzing about their engagement. The book also shares that Kate was initially reluctant to take on the Princess of Wales title due to the stress of comparisons with her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Additionally, the book discloses a tense moment between Prince William and Meghan Markle, where Meghan reportedly told him, “Keep your finger out of my face,” stemming from a conflict involving Kate during her pregnancy.
Another shocking revelation is that Kate faced serious health issues as a teenager and had surgery for a lump found in her head.
