Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career Money
    • Health Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes amp; Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Princess Kate Found Herself “Overwhelmed” With One Realization After Her Wedding to Prince William

    The couple is celebrating their 15th anniversary on April 29.

    Kristin Contino#039;s avatar
    By Kristin Contino
    Published 29 April 2026 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Prince William and Princess Kate riding in a convertible on their wedding day
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    It’s been 15 years since Prince William and Princess Kate walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. Their April 29, 2011 wedding was the biggest royal event since Prince Charles married Princess Diana 30 years prior, and although Kate Middleton looked perfectly calm and collected, she appeared to have one brief moment when the gravity of the day (and her new role) washed over her.

    Lip reader Nicola Hickling frequently comments on royal events, and she told the Daily Mail that William and Kate shared a sweet exchange after getting settled into their carriage after the ceremony. Per Hickling, Princess Kate took in the crowds and said, “Look at everyone,” with William replying, “Yes, I can see, let's wave now as a married couple.”

    The outlet continued that “a briefly overwhelmed Kate” took in his comment and said, “Oh gosh, we’re married.” It was likely the first time the term “married couple” took on its true significance for Kate as the future Queen, but Prince William took the moment in stride.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Princess Kate and Prince William waving on their wedding day

    Prince William and Princess Kate are pictured on their April 29, 2011 wedding day.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Prince William and Princess Kate walking down the aisle

    Prince William and Princess Kate are pictured on their April 29, 2011 wedding day.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Per Hickling, William told his new wife, “Ah, we'll be alright. Wave to everybody.”

    It's no wonder Princess Kate was bowled over by the crowds lining the streets of London, as it was reported that roughly one million people waited outside to get a glimpse of the couple's wedding procession.

    You may like
    • Princess Kate wears a pink gown to attend the BAFTAs 2026 with husband Prince William who has a bald head, a beard, and is wearing a burgundy velvet jacket Princess Kate's "Inhibitions Are Being Jettisoned"
    • Princess Diana sitting in a carriage with Prince Charles Diana Said Her Wedding to Charles Was One Family Member's "Proudest Day"
    • Princess Kate talking to Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton in front of two cars Prince William’s Former Private Secretary Shares Rare Insight Into Relationship with Princess Kate

    In another exchange in the 1902 State Landau carriage, Prince William asked Kate—wearing a custom Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown—if she was “comfy,” while the princess wanted to know, “Are you happy?”

    “I am to be fair,” Prince William replied, per Hickling. “You look wonderful.”

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Fortunately, Kate remained cool throughout her wedding day, with author Tina Brown writing in The Palace Papers, “I am told that the bride's only anxiety on the wedding day itself was that her stomach rumbling might be picked up by a hot mic.”

    The Palace Papers

    The Palace Papers
    $19
    SHOP NOW

    Explore More
    Princess Catherine Prince William
    Kristin Contino
    Kristin Contino
    Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

    Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

    Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

    Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.

    Read more
    Prince William Princess Kate dating
    Royals Royal Editor Reveals the “Sincere” Advice Given To Kate Middleton While Dating Prince William
    By Christine Ross
    Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince George, Prince William, and Princess Kate in Scotland on August 1, 2026
    Royals Princess Kate and Prince William Aren't "Lazy"
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Pippa Middleton wearing a white dress and sunglasses at Wimbledon
    Royals Pippa Middleton Could Be Offered One Future Role With Princess Kate
    By Kristin Contino
    Prince Harry,  Meghan Markle, Princess Kate and Prince William walking in a row
    Royals Prince William and Princess Kate Have a "Very Difficult Hill to Climb" With Harry and Meghan
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte with their heads together at the Commonwealth Games
    Royals Princess Charlotte Had a Special Backstage Experience Orchestrated by Mom Kate
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
     
     
    Duchess Sophie wearing a lime green dress with a purple sash
    Royals Duchess Sophie Embraces Fall's Unexpected Color Clashing Trend
    Prince Harry riding an ATV with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie with their dog running behind
    Royals Princess Lilibet Shares One of Mom Meghan's Favorite Hobbies
     
     
    Latest in News
    Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte with their heads together at the Commonwealth Games
    Royals Princess Charlotte Had a Special Backstage Experience Orchestrated by Mom Kate
    collage of New York Fashion Week guests and celebrities wearing the statement skirt trend
    Fall fashion New York Fashion Week's Easiest Outfit Formula Starts With a Statement Skirt
     
     
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
    collage of the best celebrity looks at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival
    Celebrity Style TIFF 2026's Best-Dressed Stars Are Bringing Their Fashion A-Game to Toronto
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.