Kate Middleton and Prince William's Royal Wedding Best Moments: Photos

01 of 22

DRIVING MISS KATE

En route to Westminster Abbey, the world got their first glimpse of Kate Middleton's Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding dress, while the Duchess-to-be enjoyed some one-on-one time with her proud father, Michael.

02 of 22

MEN OF HONOR

Earlier that morning, Prince William and best man Prince Harry made their way to Westminster Abbey. The brothers paid their respects with a salute to their fallen comrades as they pass London's historic Cenotaph.

03 of 22

TOP IT OFF

Royal Wedding - Carriage Procession To Buckingham Palace And Departures — Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The fascinators that launched 1,000 memes. Even seven years later, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's statement-making hats are the royal wedding accessories to remember.

04 of 22

HELLO M'AM

For a cheery occasion like her grandson's wedding, Queen Elizabeth wore a pale yellow dress and hat (as well as her signature handbag).

05 of 22

SISTER, SISTER

TRAIN-ING DAY — Nick Edwards/Photoshot/iPhoto

Pippa Middleton may not have had the epic train, but she still caught plenty of eyes in her equally flattering custom Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen creation.

06 of 22

JUST BETWEEN US

With millions watching, Prince William managed to share a private laugh with his soon-to-be missus as she arrives at the altar with dad Michael by her side.

07 of 22

I THEE WED

Looks like Prince William could've used some more practice! The groom had some difficulty putting a ring on it while reciting his vows to Kate. The duchess-to-be's simple band was crafted from Welsh gold, a gift from the Queen to her grandson.

08 of 22

SIDEWAYS GLANCES

As Kate's brother James read a verse from the Bible, the newlyweds stole another moment for themselves.

09 of 22

ROYAL DEBUT

Now introducing, HRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! William and Kate made their storied exit from Westminster Abbey hand-in-hand, with their gaggle of bridesmaids and pageboys following close behind.

10 of 22

FLAG DAY

BRITAIN-ROYALS-MARRIAGE-BALCONY — GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images

A sea of people holding miniature Union Jacks gathered outside of Buckingham Palace to see Will and Kate's much-anticipated balcony kiss.

11 of 22

REGAL RIDE

Just before embarking on their procession to Buckingham Palace, the newlyweds take a moment to themselves before riding through the streets of London in a 109-year-old State Landau carriage, the same one used to transport Prince Charles and Princess Diana and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson after their weddings.

12 of 22

LET'S GO FOR A RIDE

Royal Wedding - The Gold Package — Shaun Botterill/GP/Getty Images

Thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds watching.

13 of 22

WORLD'S BIGGEST WEDDING PARTY

The Wedding of Prince William with Catherine Middleton - Crowd General Views — Fred Duval/FilmMagic

And down the mall, even more people (and more flags!) were there to celebrate.

14 of 22

OBSERVING PROTOCOL

Riding past the Cenotaph once more, William pays his respects with a salute while Kate bows her head.

15 of 22

HELPING HAND

Watch the train! Ever the gentleman, William kept his bride steady as she dismounted the carriage upon their arrival at Buckingham Palace.

16 of 22

HEADS UP

The couple – along with bridesmaids Grace van Cutsem, 3, and the Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 8 – looked to the skies as William's royal air force pals fly over the balcony.

17 of 22

NOISY NEIGHBORS

william-kate-wedding-1 — George Pimentel/WireImage

When cheers of the thousands of well-wishers below got to be too much for royal bridesmaid Grace Van Cutsem, Kate gently calmed her down.

18 of 22

THE KISS

It's double happiness for William and Kate, who kissed not once but twice on the balcony at Buckingham Palace – much to the delight of the crowd gathered below. William's mum and dad shared their first public kiss at the same spot 30 years earlier.

19 of 22

HAND IN HAND

william-kate-wedding-3 — Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

After their kisses on the balcony, Will and Kate headed back inside Buckingham Palace — where the real festivities were only just beginning. Later in the evening, wedding guests feasted on canapés and cake at the Queen's reception.

20 of 22

WAITING LINE

Already tending to their royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greeted their many guests ahead of the Queen's reception at Buckingham Palace.

21 of 22

JUST WED!

Giving their well-wishers more of what they want, William and Kate stepped out from their reception to drive around Buckingham Palace in an Aston Martin convertible bearing the license plate "JU5T WED." Making their way around the Mall, the beaming bride smiled and waved while her groom kept an eye on the road – the front of the car bore a red letter "L," standing for "learner's permit."

22 of 22

CHANGE OF A DRESS

Donning her second Alexander McQueen design of the day – a strapless satin gown with diamante detailing – Kate joins William and her new in-laws, Prince Charles and Camilla, at Clarence House, where the royal family gathered before they made their way back to Buckingham Palace for a dinner dance thrown by the Prince of Wales.