Some 300 close family and friends were lucky enough to enjoy the lavish party last night at Buckingham Palace.

Highlights of the evening included the vocal stylings of charter-topper Ellie Goulding with her rendition of “Your Song” – written by Sir Elton John. The sing-songwriter told The Daily Mail, “It was an amazing honor to be asked by Kate and William to perform at their party. The atmosphere was incredible and it is a night I will never forget.”

Where's the fire, Hot Ginge?

The black-tie reception began with dinner in Buckingham’s ballroom. We’re guessing the food was OK.

One of the bigger events of the night was Prince Harry’s best man speech. And, while we’re still waiting for details on exactly what Hot Ginge said, we do know that his impending speech was the source of some consternation throughout the day for the Queen and Prince Phillip, who maybe don’t approve of his court jester antics.

Known for his bad jokes, the Queen and Prince Philip stayed away from Buckingham Palace during the late night party, afraid of what Harry might do or say.

Probably overkill, Liz. We haven’t heard reports of any scandalous jabs or lecherous broom closet rendezvous, but we’ll let you know if we do.

Seems the worst dig Harry got in was some quips about his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, being dwarfed by Kate Middleton, who probably stood around 6-foot + in her three-inch heels last night.

The Mail states that Pippa seemed unamused by Harry’s jokes throughout the night, but that sounds like hype to us. She was probably just trying her hardest not to flirt. Wouldn’t you?

After slicing into the delicious, but creepily phallic-looking wedding cake, the geezers started leaving around 11PM. Dancing into the small hours ensued – we’re guessing Pip and Kate didn’t get low to the likes of “Apple Bottom Jeans” but we can’t be sure. This party was on lock-down. (What do you want from us?)

Cake envy, anyone?

Prince Harry left the party in a coach, while his guest Chelsy Davy left in a royal car with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. (Yes, there was room for Chelsy in the backseat, just beyond the reach of Beatrice’s encroaching fascinator.)

A brief fireworks display marked the end of the whirlwind day of celebrations, around 3 AM.

The Middletons and their guests stayed at the Goring Hotel near the palace last night, where there appeared to be a bit of an after-after party. Guests who stayed at the Goring reportedly were stumbling back to their rooms as late as 5 AM, and looked worse for the wear this morning…except for Pip and Carole who looked well put together this morning. Way to not over-do it, ladies!

The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge helicoptered away from the palace today and will spend the weekend in an unknown UK location. Apparently, Wills needs to go back to work on Tuesday, so the couple will delay their honeymoon a bit. Lame.

That’s all the details we have at the moment, readers. Stay glued to UKate for breaking news on the honeymoon location and much more!

Happy weekend, readers!

The big day has now come and gone. “Dressgate” has been solved, the ceremony went off without a hitch; champagne, gourmet food and cake shared and we now have the official wedded couple: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

If you’re anything like us, you are officially in a Royal Wedding fog – seriously, we’ve had about 8 hours of sleep in the past 72 hours.

We at UKate would like to thank all of our readers – old and new – for sharing the journey with us. It has been amazing sharing our love for Kate and the Windsors with you. What a crazy ride it has been.

So what now? We forge on!

No slowin’ down here at UKate Headquarters! We remain committed to bringing all of our loyal readers breaking news and being your one-stop-shop on all-things Kate, the classiest Royal in our book!

Here is this week’s ”Weekly Roundup” - and man has it been a busy one! We spent the entire week following last-minute wedding preparations. We followed the couple as they celebrated their final days of “freedom” in various ways and finally saw what was the most touching, beautiful and romantic weddings of the century.

Below are a few of our favorite UKate posts from this week as well as other exciting news on Kate, the wedding, fashion and other Anglophile flourishes!

William & Kate Shun Tradition, Spending Easter in Bucklebury with the Middleton Family. [ UKate ]

William Spends One of His Final Evenings as a Bachelor Playing Football with Mates. [ UKate ]

William & Harry Visit the Mall to Mingle with Adoring Crowds on the Eve of the Wedding. [ UKate ]

Hours Before the Nuptials, the Couple are Officially Granted their Royal Titles: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Check out the History of the Name! [ UKate ]

So Who Had the Best Wedding Hats? Here’s a Good Look! [ People ]

Pippa Middleton’s Bum Already Has Facebook Fan Sites? Wow! [ The Daily Mail ]

“Dressgate” Solved: It Was Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton All Along – For BOTH of Kate’s Dresses! [ UKate ]

Watch Out, Chelsy Davy! Did Prince Harry and Pippa Hit it Off? [ The Sun ]

An Emotional Charles Pays Tribute to New ‘Daughter’ Kate! [ Hello! ]

View Wedding Highlights & Send a Congratulatory Message to the Happy Couple! [ Royal Wedding Channel ]

Royal Wedding Photographer Reveals Intimate Scenes from Royal Wedding Reception [ The Telegraph ]

Speaking of Photographer, Check Out the Official Royal Wedding Portraits – Flawless! [ The British Monarchy ]

The Honeymoon Will Have to Wait! William & Kate to Spend Weekend in UK; Wills to Return to Duty at RAF Wales After Bank Holiday. [ UKate ]

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left the building!

After partying the night away and spending their first night as a married couple together at Buckingham Palace, the newlyweds emerged footloose and fancy-free this morning; leaving via helicopter in true Royal style.

What, that isn’t how you left your reception?

With the sun shining bright the couple left the Palace hand-in-hand – Kate in a blue dress with dark jacket and patent platform shoes, William in a pale blue shirt, navy jacket and chinos – where they chatted with a couple of palace staff and the pilot before boarding the aircraft.

The Daily Mail reports that prior to boarding, staff had carried out luggage; including a bouquet of white flowers.

The burning question – where are they going?

Looks like for now, they are indeed having a “staycation” with Clarence House releasing the following statement:

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately. Instead, after spending the weekend privately in the United Kingdom, The Duke will return to work as a Search and Rescue pilot next week.”

It is thought they are likely headed to the Queen’s Balmoral Estate in Scotland where they can have privacy and enjoy the outdoors as they unwind from the week’s festivities.

So what are we thinking, perhaps a honeymoon in the next few weeks? And to where? Readers, when we know, you’ll know – that’s why we’re here!

We’re not gonna lie – it’s a little disappointing not being able to reveal an exotic location to you this morning!

Your thoughts?

As we are all very aware by now, William and Kate’s amazing wedding was followed by a lunchtime wedding reception held at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II.

The newlyweds were joined by 650 guests who noshed on a variety of delicacies prepared by Palace chefs; and UKate has the official menu, courtesy of The Daily Star.

Bon appetit!

Starters

Cornish Crab Salad on Lemon Blini

Pressed Duck Terrine with Fruit Chutney

Roulade of Goat’s Cheese with Caramelised Walnuts

Assortment of Palmiers and Cheese Straws

Scottish Smoked Salmon Rose on Beetroot Blini

Miniature Watercress and Asparagus Tart

Poached Asparagus Spears with Hollandaise Sauce for Dipping

Quails’ Eggs with Celery Salt

Main course

Scottish Langoustines with Lemon Mayonnaise

Pressed Confit of Pork Belly with Crayfi sh and Crackling

Wild Mushroom and Celeriac Chausson

Bubble and Squeak with Confit Shoulder of Lamb

Grain Mustard and Honey-glazed Chipolatas

Smoked Haddock Fishcake with Pea Guacamole

Miniature Yorkshire Pudding with Roast Fillet of Beef and Horseradish Mousse

Pudding

Gateau Opera

Blood Orange Pâté de Fruit

Raspberry Financier

Rhubarb Crème Brulée Tartlet

Passion Fruit Praline

White Chocolate Ganache Truffle

Milk Chocolate Praline with Nuts

Dark Chocolate Ganache Truffle

Guests drank Pol Roger NV Brut Reserve Champagne 

The wedding cake, designed by Fiona Cairns, was made from 17 fruit cakes and featured 900 individually iced flowers; a chocolate biscuit cake created by McVitie’s Cake Company was also served at the request of William.

Readers, when you were glued to the tele during the nuptials, were you trying to imagine what conversations were going on with William and Harry, Kate and her father and most importantly, William and Kate?

We certainly were. Thank goodness for lip readers!

UKate did a bit of research and found ABC News’ lip reader Terry Ruane and the Associated Press’ Tina Lannin’s report on what they feel was said during the day. Although their interpretations cannot be confirmed, here is what they had to say, courtesy of ABC News:

As Prince William moved towards the entrance to Westminster Abbey early this morning, his brother Prince Harry turned to him and asked the question many a best man has asked the groom – “Ready for this?”

Prince William’s then nodded in response.

The Wedding

Kate’s father, Michael Middleton, asked his daughter the same question as they headed for the abbey doors later this morning.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“I am,” she replied.

And, just as many a father of the bride has told his daughter on the day of her wedding, he said, “You look great.”

As Kate approached William (he having his back to her so to be the last one to see her in the dress), Harry told his brother with a smile, “She’s here now.”

“You look fabulous … beautiful,” William told her.

He then turned and joked to Michael Middleton, “We’re supposed to have just a small family affair.”

After the wedding, when getting into the carriage, Kate appeared to say, “I am so happy.”

There was some self-congratulation on the part of the heads of the royal family. After the ceremony, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, turned to Queen Elizabeth and said, “it all went very well.”

“Very well,” she replied.

On the Balcony

How would you feel if you walked out to the sound of thousands of people cheering and waving?

“Oh wow!” said Kate as she walked onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace overlooking the cheering throngs.

Prince William turned to her and said, “Alright? You’ll be OK?”

“Yes,” she said.

Then came the now-famous kiss seen around the world.

“OK? Look at me. Let’s kiss, OK?” the prince said to his bride.

Following their first kiss, William touchingly told his new bride “I love you” before going in for a second crowd-thrilling embrace.

“Let’s give them another one. l love you. One more kiss, one more kiss, okay,” he said

Meanwhile, Tom Pettifer turned to William Lowther-Pinkerton — the two young boys lucky enough to be on the balcony with the royal couple — and summed it up, “It’s good fun being with the royal family!”

Now only if those readers would have caught the snickering going on in the peanut gallery. With a bevy of old flames, jealous aristocrat hens and royal bitches in the audience; you know you could probably write a book with that material!

When you’re on your 10^th viewing of the wedding today (admit it, you’re hooked), print this transcript out and see if you agree with the lip readers!

Heck, make a drinking game out of it. It is Friday night after all!

We're out of tokens again. Dammit!

Skee-Ball hoops … Ebola virus … medical cross-section of the female reproductive system? Each of these came to mind during our intense scrutiny of Princess Beatrice’s hat this morning.

One of the larger mysteries of the day, we’re still trying to figure out what the girl is thinking … better to be noticed for looking like a freak show than not be noticed at all? Maybe no one will see my Mr. Potato Head face with this 8-point buck rack over it?

We’re still deciding, but we want your opinion too, readers. Was Bea’s hat too much?  Drop us a comment below!

Hat fail

Readers, which dress did you like best on Kate today? The whimsical wedding gown or the elegant evening dress? Sway in now!



Readers, the wedding might be over, but the coverage is still on! Need to nurse your nuptial hangover?  UKate has got your back. Here are the following programs for Friday, April 29, 2011.

BBC America – Watch Highlights of the Royal Wedding! [ View Schedule ]

TLC – Royal Specials Run All Night! [ View Schedule ]

ABC –  A 20/20 Special: A Look at the Royal Wedding with Barbara Walters 9pm/8c

CNN – Piers Morgan Tonight, Live From London: 2 Hour Royal Wedding Special 9pm/8c

Fox News – The Royal Wedding Special 9pm/8c

E! – Live From the Royal Wedding – ALL DAY!

We’re hearing reviews of the Queen’s reception – and it’s sounding a little snoresville, if we’re reading between the lines right.

The event which immediately followed the ceremony is being called “cozy,” with only 650 guests gathering at Buckingham Palace for the early afternoon affair.  Seems it wasn’t so much a reception as after-church refreshments …

Niceties abound. Booze, not so much.

“It was very cozy,” Alex van Straubenzee, father of the late Henry van Straubenzee, a close friend of William’s told PEOPLE. “There was a wonderful relaxed atmosphere. There were lots of people there – even in a place as big as Buckingham Palace. I won’t say it was informal, but everyone was having a wonderful time.”

The cake was cut and Prince Charles gave a lovely speech about Prince William. Wills also gave a very moving speech and guests nibbled on canapés including Cornish crab salad and quail eggs.

Guests toasted with Pol Roger NV Brut Reserve champagne and had their choice of two cakes — a traditional fruit cake and a chocolate biscuit cake requested by Wills.

The royal family talked freely with guests, who gushed over the ceremony and were moved by the “fairytale” nature of the day thus far:

“It was a bit of a dream; what an amazing thing to be a part of,” Garth Thomas, a rugby player and friend of the groom, told ITV. “[The bride] was stunning, absolutely beautiful. Actually, it was almost a fairy-tale – but it was real.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge drove away from the palace in an Aston Martin convertible to get on with the rest of the day’s festivities including a dinner dance hosted by Prince Charles, which is happening as we blog this!

Stay tuned for details as the rest of the night unfolds. We’ll be right here with you, keeping the party going!