The wedding day of Prince William and Kate Middleton, held at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, is remembered as a monumental occasion. Now, over a decade later, royal fans are discovering a humorous blunder made by the prince as he joyously drove his new wife away from the ceremony.
William and Kate, who became a couple during their time at the University of St Andrews, were engaged on October 20, 2010, with the announcement following on November 16, 2010. Their wedding drew comparisons to the famous nuptials of William’s parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, in 1981. Following their vows, the couple was greeted by enthusiastic crowds lining the streets of London before heading to Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Once the couple departed in a vintage Aston Martin, a gift from the Queen to Charles, an amusing incident occurred. A video shared by the “quickpastfacts” Instagram page reveals a moment that many might have overlooked during the festivities. As they waved to the crowd while en route to Clarence House, the vehicle was still fitted with the handbrake engaged. The caption humorously noted, “When Prince William drove Catherine from Buckingham Palace, with the hand brake still on. Even fairytales have their funny moments.”
The charming detail was later corroborated by royal photographer Arthur Edwards during an interview on BBC’s Desert Island Discs. He recounted a conversation with Prince Charles about the day, revealing, “I was talking to Prince Charles about that. I said, ‘Did you mind him borrowing your car?’ Because he loves that car.” Edwards confirmed that Charles had given William permission to use the vehicle, but there was a problem that day: “Yes. Because he didn’t take the handbrake off.”
The revelation has sparked delight among royal fans who took to social media to express their amusement. Comments flooded in, with one user questioning, “Why has it got L Plates? Was he a learner?” Another chimed in, explaining that the “L Plates” signify “learners in marriage,” a nod to British humor.
This amusing moment from their wedding day serves as a reminder that even royal affairs can be filled with light-hearted mishaps. The couple, now parents to three children, continues to capture the hearts of the public, showing that behind the grandeur lies a relatable human experience.
