Sweet Drama Inside Princess Kate and William’s wedding party from first dance to…

Prince William’s wedding to Kate, the Princess of Wales, on April 29, 2011, was a grand affair attended by royals, dignitaries and celebrities from all over the world. Following the official ceremony at Westminster Abbey and a lunch hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, the festivities continued with an exclusive after-party away from prying eyes.

The evening reception held at Buckingham Palace was a more intimate and relaxed celebration compared to formal events earlier in the day – which were described in the Telegraph by one guest as “the most magical party imaginable.

The after-party was hosted by the then Prince Charles where William and Kate partied with 300 of their closest family and friends into the early hours of the night.

Guests arrived at the pre-dinner drinks reception through a candle-lit walkway in the Palace courtyard and walked into the sound of bagpipes playing.

They were served vintage pink champagne, peach bellinis and elderflower cocktails. Shortly after 8pm, guests were ushered into the Palace’s Ballroom for dinner.

Guests were given envelopes with their table names, which had been personally named after places special to the couple and their friends.

The Duchess’ lesser-known second wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, but it was far simpler than her first intricate ensemble.

It featured a sweetheart neckline which she accessorised with a furry stole and was clinched at the waist by a bejewelled belt. Over the dress, Kate wore a white angora bolero cardigan.

Kate also wore her hair in her trademark big bouncy waves, but kept her jewellery minimal, and wore her beloved sapphire engagement ring which once belonged to the late Princess Diana.

Very few pictures of Kate’s second wedding dress were released to the public, but some pictures were taken as Kate left Clarence House and headed for her private reception.

Royal writer, Robert Jobson, has revealed in his new biography of the Princess of Wales that the couple danced to ‘You’re The One That I Want’ from iconic film Grease as friends looked on. It is reported that the couple danced and mouthed the words first uttered by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John on screen as they looked into each other’s eyes.

William and Kate also enjoyed a live performance by friend and pop star, Ellie Goulding, who sang her rendition of Elton John’s ‘Your Song.

Prince Harry was a self-styled Master of Ceremonies at the lavish Buckingham Palace reception and kicked off proceedings with an entertaining speech described as “absolutely hilarious” by a guest and “affectionate brotherly joshing” by another, as reported in the Telegraph.

One guest added: “Prince Harry was absolutely hilarious. He is a class act when it comes to being a comedy compere. He was so unbelievably funny, that by the end of it, he had most of the room crying with laughter.”

Michael Middleton delivered a speech about the couple and his daughter’s childhood at the reception and after walking his eldest daughter down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.

During the speech, he had joked about the conversation between himself and Prince William when he asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Prince William also gave a speech where he thanked his father for hosting the party, toasting the bridesmaids and the pageboys, and praised his “beautiful bride”.