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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chris Byfield

William learned you 'don't mess with grandma' after wedding 'clash' with Queen

Prince William clashed with the Queen over his wedding attire in the run-up to his big day with Kate Middleton, he admitted in a throwback interview.

The future king had to back down to his grandmother's decision for his marriage to Kate when they tied the knot Westminster Abbey in central London in April 2011, the Express reported.

William's lesson from that moment? You "don't mess with your grandmother", he said in an interview with ABC in 2012, just months after the wedding was watched by millions of TV viewers around the world.

The Duke of Cambridge said at the time: "What I really wanted to wear was the Irish Guards frock coat.

"We had a couple of discussions on this matter but, as I learnt growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother.

Kate and William kiss at Buckingham Palace following their wedding (Getty Images Europe)

"What she says goes."

William wore the frock coat during previous royal engagements but had been appointed colonel two months before the wedding.

The Queen insisted that he wear the red tunic of the Irish Guards on his big day.

Buckingham Palace did allow the couple to break a few royal traditions, such as having a maid of honour and a best man.

And William and Kate were allowed to draft their own guest list with the support of the Queen.

William said in 2012: "Things were rapidly building up steam towards the wedding.

"I was given a list in the first meeting of 777 names and not one of them I knew.

"It was a bit daunting and it was like, that seems to be the guest list sorted – no room for friends or family.

"I wasn’t too happy about it so I rang [the Queen] for a bit of moral support and a bit of backup.

"She said, 'don’t be so ridiculous, get rid of the list, and start from your friends'."

William says he learned "you don't mess with grandma" (Getty Images)
The Cambridges at Trooping the Colour in 2019 (Getty Images)

Before he got married, William is said to have met with the Queen and his dad Prince Charles in 2006 to discuss his relationship and potential future with Kate.

It is claimed William was having second thoughts.

Fast forward 10 years from the royal wedding, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are now the parents of three young children as they take on greater roles within the Royal Family.

The Cambridges recently jetted off on a half-term holiday with their children.

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