When Kate Middleton married Prince William, the globally watched ceremony was filled with meaningful details, including a centuries-old royal custom that quietly connected her big day to Queen Victoria’s era.
Watched by millions around the world, the ceremony at Westminster Abbey blended royal pageantry with a modern sense of romance. From the iconic walk down the aisle to the couple’s first kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, the day quickly became one of the most memorable moments in recent royal history.
Kate wedding had plenty of modern touches, including her arrival by car instead of horse-drawn carriage, a shorter train and a formfitting second dress, created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, worn for the royal reception. However, she also stuck to plenty of royal tradition for the couple’s nuptials.
For example, Kate wore the Cartier Halo tiara, also known as the Cartier Scroll tiara, which was lent to her by Queen Elizabeth II, as well as her Welsh gold wedding band, crafted from a piece of Welsh gold in a royal tradition beginning in 1923.
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However, one of the longest-running royal traditions dates back almost 200 years. Kate’s bouquet was comprised of myrtle from Queen Victoria’s own garden. According to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, every royal bride since Victoria has carried myrtle.
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Per the website, “Myrtle symbolizes love and hope, perfect sentiments for any bridal bouquet.”
According to the website Hedgerow Rose, Kate’s delicate floral arrangement also contained a variety of other flowers. These included Lily-of-the-Valley, Hyacinth, and Sweet William.
Following the April 29, 2011 ceremony, Kate followed a tradition of other royal brides since the Queen Mother.
The royal family website states that royal brides take their wedding bouquet and place it on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey in an act of remembrance. The Queen Mother began the tradition after she lost a brother, Fergus in World War I and placed her flowers on the tomb to remember him and other soldiers who lost their lives.
Kate Middleton and Prince William are celebrating their 15th anniversary. The couple are parents to three children; Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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