Kate Middleton and Prince William Threw a Secret Caribbean-Themed Wedding After-Party

Televised for the world to see, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding ceremony on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey gave the public access to the couple’s royal nuptials. While their vow exchange was wildly viewed, reported on, and talked about, the Prince and Princess of Wales had other wedding-related celebrations that were kept out of the limelight. According to Kate’s brother, James Middleton, in his new autobiography, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, the bride and groom extended the festivities with a secret after-party.

In his book, James describes how he and the rest of the Middleton family stayed at the Goring Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel in Belgravia, the night before his sister’s royal wedding. The destination also has sentimental value to Kate, James notes, since their parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, hosted their private post-wedding party for 100 guests there, too.

During some downtime on the evening before Kate and William’s wedding, James decided to explore the grounds of the property. From a quiet spot in the garden, James and his dog, Ella, stumbled upon a replica of Basil’s Bar. According to Kate’s brother, the original Basil’s Bar is an “unassuming little venue on the water’s edge” in Mustique, a private island in the Grenadines that the Middleton family frequently visits. 

Once James looked closer, he realized that the recreation of the landmark destination was going to house the couple’s after-party. “Now a perfect facsimile of it has been built in the grounds of the Goring Hotel so wedding guests can imagine themselves on the edge of the Caribbean while actually in the middle of a London garden,” James explains in his book. “Ella and I take it all in, and I chuckle to myself that she has managed to visit the bar before any of the other guests.”

On April 28, 2011, the night before the wedding, Kate and her family stayed in the Royal Apartment at the Goring Hotel, which previously underwent a $200,000 upgrade with a four-poster bed, a grand piano, a walk-in shower, and a bathroom TV, Hello! reported. “On TV screens at the hotel I watch the coverage from news teams all over the world who are stationed on the pavement outside, updating their audience on what they think might be happening inside,” James writes.

The following day, the royal couple said “I do” at Westminster Abbey before enjoying a luncheon reception with 600 guests that the late Queen Elizabeth II hosted at Buckingham Palace. Then, the couple of honor and 300 of their invitees continued the wedding festivities with an evening dinner. Finally, the night ended with another party at the Goring Hotel that the Middletons hosted. Outside of the hotel, Princess Beatrice was spotted wearing a maroon gown with silver embellishments and floral-printed sneakers. Kate’s mom was seen in a back evening gown, standing alongside Pippa, who wore an emerald dress with a plunging neckline.