The Prince and Princess of Wales have been praised time and again for their modern approach towards royal duties and responsibilities. But what many people don’t realise is that the couple were quietly advancing royal traditions even before their historic wedding in 2011.
Prince William and Kate announced their engagement in November 2010 and they married at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Their big day was watched by an estimated UK audience of over 24 million people. While it has previously been pointed out how the royal couple broke a long-standing tradition with their bridesmaid dresses and how Prince William did not ask for Michael Middleton’s permission to propose, there was another major change on the day.
The couple’s beautiful wedding almost 14 years ago provided many talking points. Whether it was the gorgeous dress that Pippa Middleton wore or how the couple kissed twice on the Buckingham Palace balcony, it was an incredibly happy occasion.
And while everyone was absolutely floored by Kate’s stunning £355,000 gown which featured handmade lace and a 9-foot train, it later transpired that she had in fact broken a 350-year-old tradition with her appearance.
According to royal expert Ashley Pearson in a documentary about the royal couple, the bride’s hair was the subject of much discussion ahead of the big day. Pearson explains that royal aides wished that she would wear her brown locks in a sleek up-do, but Kate went against the advice and asked to have her hair down.
“Royal sources tell me that the royals indicated very strongly to Kate that they would prefer her to wear her hair up for this very special occasion,” Pearson revealed.
“However, Kate had her heart set on wearing her hair down with long flowing curls, which is her favourite way to wear it and actually William’s favourite as well. They ended up compromising on her look.” The royal hairstylist responsible for creating the look was James Pryce at Richard Ward Salon.
The look was completed with the beautiful Cartier Halo Tiara which was loaned to the bride by the late Queen. The tiara had originally been bought by King George VI for the Queen Mother when he succeeded to the throne in 1936.
This wasn’t the only tradition that was broken by the couple in the run-up to their wedding as Prince William confessed he had chosen not to ask Michael Middleton for his permission before he asked Kate to marry him.
During their famous engagement interview with journalist Tom Bradby in 2010, William said: “Well, I was torn between asking Kate’s dad first and then the realisation that he might actually say ‘no’ dawned upon me.
“So I thought if I ask Kate first then he can’t really say no. So I did it that way round. I managed to speak to Mike soon after it happened really and then it sort of happened from there.”
