King Charles’ little-known role in William and Kate’s wedding is revealed as close bond with Princess of Wales is strengthened by their respective battles with cancer

King Charles has always had a close bond with his son and daughter-in-law, and the monarch is said to have grown even closer to the Princess of Wales over their shared cancer diagnosis.

But many royal watchers are unaware of the role Charles played in the royal wedding more than a decade ago.

As father of the groom, the then Prince Charles played an important role at the 2011 royal wedding and even chose the wedding music.

Charles based his choices on his knowledge of classical music, he revealed to Alan Titchmarsh on Classic FM in 2020.

He said: ‘I like to organize some interesting, I hope, pieces of music for certain occasions, especially for weddings if people want that.

“I know my oldest son was very understanding and very happy that I suggested a few pieces for their wedding.”

For William and Kate’s wedding at Westminster Abbey, guests came to hear organ music by Johann Sebastian Bach and orchestral pieces by Edward Elgar, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and more.

The couple chose ‘Farewell to Stromness’, ‘Touch Her Soft Lips and Part’ and ‘Romance for String Orchestra Op. 11’ as a nod to Charles and Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, when the songs were played at their wedding in 2005.

Charles added that he hoped his recommendations “give some people pleasure,” saying that he, for one, enjoyed it.

The king got his passion for classical music from the Queen Mother, his grandmother.

He fondly recalled, “My grandmother played quite a bit of music, so I heard some of that.

“But I guess the first time I really became aware of it was when my grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, was taken to Covent Garden at the age of seven, I think.

He remembers a special event that made him fall in love with classical music.

‘It must have been 1956 to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform.

‘It was their first visit to Britain and I will never forget that incredible event. I was completely inspired by it.’

The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was one of the biggest events of 2011 at the time and was declared a public holiday, watched by around 26 million people.

The viewing figures were only surpassed by the groom’s father and mother, Princess Diana and Charles, which attracted 28.4 million viewers thirty years earlier.

After the 2011 ceremony, the newlyweds traveled in a horse-drawn carriage procession to Buckingham Palace and were greeted by members of the public along the streets.

The newlyweds also appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the late queen and other members of the royal family.

From then on, Prince William’s full title became Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus, while Kate became Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.

They are now the Prince and Princess of Wales and their relationship with the Prince’s father is growing stronger than ever following his and Kate’s shock diagnosis at the turn of the year.

The Princess of Wales was inspired to unveil hers after the warm response to the King doing the same six weeks earlier, royal insiders claim.

It is said to have ‘cemented’ their relationship, 13 years after Kate’s formal introduction to the royal family.

Both senior royals were at the London Clinic at the same time in January for operations, before they were both diagnosed in February – although Kate delayed her announcement a month later to tell her and William’s children at the right time.

Kate and Charles’ shared fears hammer home the message of her announcement that cancer patients ‘are not alone’.

Royal commentator Michael Cole today told MailOnline why Kate decided to make it public: ‘The decision was hers alone and she was encouraged to make it by witnessing the public reaction to the news of the King’s cancer, released by Buckingham Palace.

‘The outpouring of concern around the world, with messages of support flowing in an endless stream of kindness and encouragement, took the King by surprise, as did Queen Victoria who wrote in her diary how surprised she was by people shouting that they loved her while she drove on. the crowd to her Golden Jubilee in 1887.’

Mr Cole, a former BBC royal correspondent, added: ‘Kate has become close to the King, who has repeatedly called her ‘my beloved daughter-in-law’. As such, she was well aware of the public reaction to the revelation of the King’s cancer and how it affected him.

‘The king was one of the few people who got a sneak peek of the young woman, sitting alone on a bench in her Breton sweater and jeans, in front of the full bloom of daffodils, a traditional symbol of spring and new life.’

Charles and Camilla have publicly expressed their love and support for Kate, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as the family tries to come to terms with the news.

The 75-year-old monarch is very fond of the princess, who has been part of the life of his eldest son, the Prince of Wales, for more than twenty years.

Charles and Kate also share a love of art, gardening and the outdoors, but now their bond unfortunately extends to a shared cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

The king returned to work as he appeared in a series of photos released by Buckingham Palace in March.