Thousands of flowers, many of them British flowers, are seen by a global audience at the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.
During the event we provided a live blog service updating this website with details of flowers and designs we spot, and our thoughts on themes and designs.
Here is our archive of the day now recorded in history as – Friday 29 April 2011 – The day Prince William married Kate Middleton and they became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Royal wedding 2011 – archive
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.32
The majestic Lancaster bomber flanked by a Hurricane and Spitfire are followed closely by four modern jet aircraft. William and Catherine go back into the palace for some well earned lunch.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.28
A fly past from the Battle of Britain Memorial team. The young pages and bridesmaids point out to the aircraft. Prince William and Catherine take their first public kiss.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.25
#Prince William and Catherine appear on the balcony of Buckingham palace. Wild cheers from the crowd. The couple smiling, looking very relaxed and at ease.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.16
#Prince William’s RAF colleagues said the wedding was quite surreal but a wonderful experience to which they were proud to be invited.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.13
Floral designer #Shane Connolly has proved that British grown, seasonal flowers can be classical and elegant and that the use of growing plants is just as effective as cut blooms.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 13.06
Apart from the large trees, the flowers in Westminster abbey were mainly centred on the Altar and altar area. Very elegant, stunningly natural and a real tribute to the designer Shane Connolly and the Ladies of NAFAS.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.45
The Cornish lily of the valley has featured strongly in the #bouquets, hair adornments, button holes and Abbey arrangements.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.40
Crowds outside Buckingham Palace now await the balcony appearance of #William and Catherine. Behind the scenes, the royal photographer is busy photographing royal dignitaries and state guests.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.27
The royal couple arrive at# Buckingham Palace to the strains of the national anthem. Her sister Phillipa and the bridesmaids arrive closely behind.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.14
Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh leave in the Scottish state coach.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.12
Prince William and his new wife are now escorted in 1902 state Landau carriage for their journey back to Buckingham palace.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.10
#William and Catherine emerge to cheers from the crowd and the bells of the Abbey as the horses pull up the open top Landau coach.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.07
The newly married #royal couple leave #Westminster Abbey. William and Catherine exit under the high gothic arch, softened by the foliage of trees.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 12.00
#The Royal wedding 2011 is almost concluded and has truly been a stunning and fitting celebration. Not overshadowed with pomp and circumstance but infused with ageless class that befits a future King and Queen.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.54
#Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge leave to the site of the shrine of Edward the Confessor to sign the three registers.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.47
#Rw2011. The royal couple kneel for prayer, her satin train falling in neat folds on the pink stones of the Cosmati pavement.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.46
Hydrangeas and jasmine surround the altar candles. The foliage of solomon’s seal setting the backdrop, Their delicate white blooms falling like pearl earrings.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.41
The 8 trees lining the Aisle remove harshness and formality from the structure. The couple listen to “Ubi Caritas et Amor”, a particular favourite of theirs, sung by the #Westminster Abbey choir.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.35
#The Westminster Abbey choir sing a beautiful rendition of “This is the day”. The Royal couple exchange knowing glances.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.27
#Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge now sit to the right of the alter, side by side, under a magnificent display of white beam and blossom.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.26
#James Middleton, Catherine’s brother has a delicate spray of lily of the valley in his buttonhole as he gives the Psalm.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.24
#Royal wedding flowers are gentle and understated. Sprays of blossom hang delicately interspersed with white lilac, magnolia. Catherine’s sister carries a small spray of lily of the valley in her hair.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.20
#The Royal Wedding 2011. Prince William and Catherine Middleton are now man and wife. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.18
#William and Catherine look relaxed as they exchange vows. Williams cheeky grin evident as he manages not to “fluff” his lines.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.15
Standing at the altar on the recently restored Cosmati pavement, the couple are surrounded by sprays of blooms which do not detract from the natural grandeur of the Abbey.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.11
# Now alongside her prince, the congregation sing “Guide me O thou great redeemer”. Catherine’s veil is now back revealing the Halo tiara.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.08
#Catherine proceeds down the Aisle with her father to join HRH Prince William of Wales. Her small posy of white flowers held in the right hand.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 11.02
#Kate Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey to a huge cheer from the crowd. The Chantilly lace top adorns a Sarah Burton gown of ivory and white satin with a train measuring 2.7m. The Queen’s 1936 Halo diamond tiara carries a waist length veil.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.57
Kate’s sister wears a stunning white tailored dress as she enters the Abey with the bridesmaids.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.54
#Catherine’s delicate veil sits on an understated tiara. She wears her hair down and waves happily at the crowd
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.53
#RW2011 #Kate Middleton leaves the hotel. The top of the dress a delicate simple neckline of lace. Lilly of the valley adorn the small bouquet
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.50
The state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry mark the arrival of her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.45
The young bridesmaids leave the hotel. Circlets of white flowers adorn their hair. They carry white posies. Their white dresses are enhanced by pale lemon sashes with bows tied at the back.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.42
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace. Her Royal Highness in primrose yellow
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.39
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House. The Duchess of Cornwall in pale Eau De Nil.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.37
Many of the ladie’s outfits are pale colours. grey, steel blue, beige and pink.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.36
Prince Andrew travels with his daughters Beatrice and Eugene
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.33
Carol Middleton arrives at the Abbey wearing a Katherine Walker sleek tailored dress of powder grey pearly blue.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.29
Mini coaches leave Buckingham palace with some members of the Royal family including Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.25
The brides mother, Carol Middleton and her brother James leave for Westminster Abbey
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.20
Prince William enters Westminster Abbey and looks fairly relaxed as he greets clergy
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.18
Prince Harry is wearing his uniform as Captain of the Household Cavalry of the Blues and Royals. Bells of Westminster Abbey now ring out
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.13
#Prince William and Prince Harry leave Clarence House. Prince William in his uniform as Colonel of the Irish Guards.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 10.03
#Royal Wedding – Crowds are gathering at the Goring Hotel where Catherine will depart in the Rolls Royce Phantom in about three quarters of an hour.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.48
Richard Ward and James Price of the Richard Ward salon will be doing the hair of Kate Middleton and her family and have been at the Goring hotel since 6.30 this morning.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.40
The floral decorations inside the Abbey are soft and tasteful. Branches of blossom, lilac and magnolia grace the ancient pillars and altar candles.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.29
#Buckingham Palace have announced that Willam and Kate will be given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.25
The Archbishop of Canterbury says he feels #William & Kate are a sensible couple and it his his endeavour today to make it a very personal day for them both.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.22
Pink and violet seems to be dominating the fashions and hats are outdoing fascinators.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.20
The main west doors of the abbey are flanked by two large urns flowing with branches of blossom and white beam.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.18
David and Victoria Beckham are now entering Westminster Abbey. Victoria dressed in Charcoal black.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.15
The ancient Cosmati pavement at the altar of the Abbey has been restored and is on full view.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.11
The Cornish Lily of the valley decorates the top of the planters containing the 8 trees down the aisle.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.08
The front of the Goring hotel is decorated with planters of white and pink flowers. The Rolls Royce has just pulled up outside.
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.07
#RW2011 the Rolls Royce that will carry Kate to the Abbey is now on it’s way to the hotel. So far the car is not decorated
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 09.01
Big Ben chimes 9.00 and thousands of members of the crowd are waving blow up plastic daffodils, the Welsh national flower
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.57
Branches of white blossom adorn the altar of Westminster Abbey
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.13
NAFAS members helped with the floral arrangements in the Abbey earlier this week
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.09
Thousands of people have started to gather along the route the cars will take ahead of the big event
Royal Wedding 2011 update – 08.08
Not long to go now before the wedding gets underway and the doors open on Westminster Abbey.
