On April 29, 2011, over 2 billion people tuned in to witness a historic royal event – the wedding of Prince William, second in line to the British throne, to his college sweetheart Kate Middleton. As a commoner marrying into the British royal family, Kate captivated people around the world. All eyes were on Westminster Abbey that day to catch a glimpse of Kate’s wedding dress, the ceremony, and the royal protocol. In this article we talk about The Protocol Mistake You Didn’t Notice at William and Kate’s Wedding.
While the televised wedding appeared flawless, there was one brief moment when eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed something seemed amiss – when the Queen arrived at the abbey. As the monarch pulled up in her Rolls Royce, she subtly signaled to her accompanying guardsman not to open the door on her side. So what exactly happened in that split-second incident?
The Importance of Royal Protocol
In the British monarchy, upholding tradition and proper etiquette is paramount. Royal events, especially those as momentous as a royal wedding, involve extensive planning and precision when it comes to protocol. From seating charts to dress codes, every detail is meticulously considered.
Opening the car door is one such protocol that aids the royals in gracefully exiting their vehicles. There is a particular system in place – female members exit the curbside while male members use the opposite side. This allows women to avoid stepping into the street and any puddles or mud that may dirty their formal attire.
So when the Queen’s car pulled up on the wrong side of the pavement that day, she had to quickly gesture to her guardsman not to open the door and inconspicuously slide over to her husband Prince Phillip’s side to exit properly.
A Subtle Misstep by the Queen’s Guard
As the Queen’s car arrived, it parked on the incorrect side, leaving her seated farthest from the curb. When her accompanying guard stepped forward to open the door nearest him, the Queen swiftly signaled for him not to. Royal etiquette expert Alexandra Messervy, who immediately noticed the subtle blunder, suspects the guard was momentarily flustered by the Queen’s unexpected seated position.
“I think the [guard] who opened the door appeared flustered when the Queen was actually not where she would normally be,” Messervy commented. “The correct protocol for her was to be on the curbside, and she was on the reverse side.”
Remaining Unfazed, the Queen Improvised
In a completely natural motion, the Queen inconspicuously slid across the seat to exit from Prince Phillip’s side door without missing a beat. Years of experience participating in thousands of royal engagements clearly paid off, as she effortlessly adapted to the situation.
“But looking back at it now since she never put her foot wrong – was it actually wrong?” Messervy pondered. “Did she perhaps have a sore leg that day and she couldn’t let herself out on the left, was it easier to come on the right, I don’t know.”
While it’s possible her decision was health-related, it seems more likely the Queen simply employed her expert diplomacy skills. Rather than embarrass her guard by drawing attention to his error, she found a smooth workaround.
“Thankfully, the Queen ignored the guard who opened her car door and instead scooted across to follow Prince Phillip out his curbside door,” Messervy added.
Kate Middleton’s Rule-Breaking Bridal Look
In contrast to the Queen’s subtle sidestep of protocol, Kate Middleton more brazenly flouted tradition on her wedding day by opting to wear her long, dark locks down. Royal brides for the past 350 years have worn formal updos, but Kate forged her own path.
Some royal officials had gently urged Kate to follow suit and pin up her hair. But she held her ground, later explaining, “I wanted it to be up at one point, but then we just put it back down again because I wanted to keep it sort of windswept.”
Her cascading curls became one of the most iconic bridal beauty looks in recent history. And in the years since, more royal brides like Meghan Markle and Princess Beatrice have also worn their hair down, perhaps taking inspiration from Kate’s trendsetting style.
The Queen Shows Support for the Newlyweds
If the Queen held any objections to Kate’s breach of protocol, she did not let it show. She appeared delighted by her grandson’s choice of bride, warmly embracing Kate in a rare display of public affection. In her toast at the evening reception, the Queen also seemed to acknowledge just how momentous it was to welcome Kate into the royal fold.
“They have overcome Becher’s Brook and The Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles. They have come through, and I’m very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves,” she said graciously.
The Queen’s kind words highlighted her approval of the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they embarked on married life and their new roles within the royal family. Over a decade later, it’s clear William and Kate have continued to have the Queen’s full support as they carry the monarchy forward into the future.
The Verdict: A Seamless Royal Wedding Despite Tiny Missteps
Both Kate and the Queen experienced minor hiccups from customary protocol on the Cambridge’s wedding day. But these small fumbles were eclipsed by the grandeur of the occasion. Smoothly navigating the few bumps demonstrated the Queen’s adaptability gained from 64 years on the throne at that point. And Kate’s rule-breaking hair made her an even more captivating royal bride.
In the end, neither misstep detracted from the splendor of the event or the obvious joy between the newlyweds. William and Kate radiated happiness and were greeted by throngs of well-wishers. Over a decade later, that enthusiasm for the glamorous royal couple has hardly dampened.
So while the Queen’s car door blunder and Kate’s hair may have ruffled a few royal feathers at first, they’ve proven to be inconsequential. The Cambridge’s enduring marriage has been a stabilizing force within the monarchy during a period of seismic change. And their three photogenic children have ushered in a new golden era for the modern royal family. I sincerely hope you find this “The Protocol Mistake You Didn’t Notice at William and Kate’s Wedding” article helpful.
