William and Kate thank well-wishers as they mark ninth wedding anniversary in lockdown
Nearly 25 million people in the UK watched the wedding on TV in 2011, with the worldwide audience estimated to be two billion.
Wednesday 29 April 2020 14:10, UK
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have thanked well-wishers for sending congratulations as they spend their ninth wedding anniversary in lockdown.
William and Kate, who first met in 2001 while studying at the University of St Andrews, tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011.
Sharing an image of their wedding day on Instagram, Kensington Palace wrote: "Nine years ago today - thank you for all your lovely messages on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding anniversary!"
Prince William's cousin, Princess Eugenie, commented on the post with a heart eyes emoji.
The Cambridges usually celebrate their anniversary privately and this year have no option but to mark it in lockdown as the country deals with the coronavirus pandemic.
The couple are staying at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, through the crisis, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
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Nearly 25 million people in the UK watched their wedding on television nine years ago, with the worldwide audience estimated to be two billion.
Around 1,900 guests filled Westminster Abbey to see the future king marry Kate, who wore an intricate lace gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, while the groom was dressed in the red tunic of the Irish Guards.
After the service, the couple travelled in an open-topped carriage for the short journey from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, with more than a million people lining the route.
The grand affair also featured two dresses, two receptions, flypasts and two kisses on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
William and Kate's big day was a public holiday in the UK and over 5,000 street parties were held across the country.
The wedding was not a full state occasion because William is not heir apparent to the throne, so many of the details were left to the couple to decide, including the guest list.
William's best man was Prince Harry, while the bride's sister, Pippa, was maid of honour and gained worldwide attention for wearing a figure-hugging dress.