A Rare Photo of Carole Middleton's Second Mother-of-the-Bride Dress, Which She Wore to Prince William and Kate Middleton's Reception, Has Resurfaced

When Kate Middleton said “I do” to Prince William on April 29, 2011, the mother of the bride, Carole Middleton, donned an elegant look that left a mark on many. For the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the bride’s mother stepped out in a pastel blue coat dress by Catherine Walker, which was made of wool crepe and embroidered with satin piping and braiding at the waist and cuff. She paired the sophisticated getup with a matching hat by Hans Corbett. Although her sky blue ensemble was widely photographed, Carole changed into a second look that was far less documented. 

After Kate and William were pronounced husband and wife, the mother of the bride changed for the reception lunch that the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted at Buckingham Palace. In a rare photo that Hello! published on April 25, 2024, Carole was pictured wearing a black floor-length gown with a low V-neck, flutter sleeves, a belted waist, and a tiered skirt. The mother of the bride accessorized with chandelier earrings and a gem-studded necklace. She also pulled her hair—which was previously worn down—back in an updo, secured with a pearl pin. 

Although Carole wore two outfits that complemented the venue and season, she admitted in an interview with The Telegraph that she actually “hates” shopping. In that same interview, she revealed that even though her daughter’s wedding was a high-profile, televised affair, she wasn’t nervous. “Like every mother, I wanted to look my best, make my children proud, and enjoy the day,” she said. “I honestly don’t think I was any more stressed than any other mother of the bride.” 

Carole played a big role in helping her daughter plan her nuptials. “We talked about music…everything,” she said. While collaborating with Kate on designing her big day, Carole learned an important lesson that all mothers of the bride should keep in mind. “I think the most important thing as a parent is to listen to what your daughter wants,” she expressed. “You can have all the ideas in the world, but it has to be about them. And don’t muscle in on the guest list.”

Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, who served as the maid of honor, also sported an outfit change for the royal wedding. While Pippa wore a white dress with a cowl neck to the ceremony, she later donned an emerald green gown, featuring a plunging neckline, thick shoulder straps, and Grecian-like embellishments beneath the bust, according to the publication.