Prince William made a cheeky nine-word comment to Michael Middleton as he walked his daughter down the aisle at the royal wedding in 2011. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who have now been married for 15 years, tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Princess Catherine, who wore a gown by English designer Sarah Burton, was walked down the aisle by her father, Michael Middleton, who celebrates his 77th birthday today.
William's Joke at the Altar
As Catherine and Michael joined William at the front of the aisle, the senior royal appeared to make a joke to his father-in-law, according to lip-reader Tina Lannin. After greeting Kate, William turned to her father and said: "We're supposed to have just a small family affair," Lannin reported for CBS News. Earlier, William had told his bride, "You look lovely. You look beautiful."
Close Family Ties
The Middletons have often been invited to royal events, such as the King's coronation in 2023, where their grandson Prince George, who turns 13 next month, acted as a Page of Honour. Michael and Carole Middleton watched on. William is also close to Catherine's siblings, Pippa and James Middleton.
Inclusion of the Middletons
According to author Robert Hardman, William was "insistent that his wife's family be properly included" in the wedding. He added that it was "very important" to William, and he made a "direct request" that both of Catherine's parents and her siblings be involved on the big day. During his engagement interview in 2010, William described her parents as "really loving, caring, and really fun."
