Royal Family shares rare insight into ‘chillax zone’ from Kate and William’s wedding

The Royal Family has treated the public to a rare insight into the 'chillax zone' used for Kate and William's wedding guests at Buckingham Palace in 2011. 

• The Royal Family has shared a sneak peek into the designated 'chillax zone' at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011. 
• The Throne Room, which hosted an Investiture ceremony on Wednesday for the first time since 1904, was used as a quiet retreat for the Cambridge couple's tired guests at the extravagant Buckingham Palace wedding reception. 
• In other royal news, Kate Middleton stuns in flattering belted dress that couldn’t be more different from her usual style.
  

The Royal Family has given the public a peek into Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding reception hideout in its latest social media post, much to the excitement of its devout followers. 

In an official Instagram and Twitter post on Wednesday, the Queen shared a behind-the-scenes look into the first Investiture ceremony to take place at Buckingham Palace in over two years. The prestigious prize-giving events, which recognize individuals' contributions to society with MBEs, OBEs, and knighthoods, were put on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Investitures have historically been held at the palace's extravagant Ballroom, with about 20 to 30 scheduled annually. 

This year's ceremony, however, took place in the building's iconic Throne Room. In the exciting clip, rows of royal medals (formally known as insignia) are displayed in preparation for the presentations while a string quartet plays classical music in the background. Magnificent chandeliers, opulent decorations, and walking yeomen can also be spotted. 

The stunning space was perhaps most notably last used in 2011 as the background for William and Kate's wedding photos, as well as the designated relaxation area for guests of the couple's VIP reception. It's understood that the room, which is the largest one in the palace, was temporarily modernized with cushy sofas and casual tables so that younger attendees could enjoy an escape from the event's bustling epicenter in the Drawing Room.  

Yesterday's event saw several high-profile individuals, including Watford FC manager Roy Hodgson and Paralympians Chris Ryan and Thomas Young, receive awards for various achievements from the Duke of Cambridge and Princess Anne. Royal fans were particularly thrilled to see Prince William and Mel B's 'mutual fangirling' during the Spice Girl's acceptance of an MBE for her domestic violence work.