London, Apr 30: Prince William and his new bride Catherine finally let their hair down last night with a wedding reception at Buckingham Palace.Some 300 of the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's closest family and friends celebrated with dancing and dinner at the black tie do, which stretched into the early hours, reports Daily Mail.
The Queen and Prince Philip handed over the palace for the celebration, which was hosted by William's father Prince Charles.Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated moment of the night was Prince Harry best man's speech.The Duchess had switched into a new white outfit for the party - also created by Sarah Burton who designed her wedding gown.
The second dress was a strapless white satin gazar evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist, St James's Palace said.Kate was also wearing a white angora bolero cardigan.
The couple left with Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall. The royal party looked happy and relaxed.The heir to the throne and his son, the new Duke of Cambridge, were dressed in dinner jackets with black bow ties.Kate had her hair down in her favourite style for the private party.
Camilla wore a light blue hand-embroidered high-collared floor length Anna Valentine dress for the evening.The new Duchess's family had left the Goring Hotel shortly before 7.30pm.
Her sister Pippa had changed from her bridesmaid dress into a long emerald green sleeveless dress with a jewelled embellishment on the front and a plunging neckline.
Her hair was pinned up at the back and she was carrying a clutch bag.
Kate's mother Carole Middleton smiled after stumbling slightly as she came down the stairs at the hotel and her son James placed a guiding hand on her back as she climbed into a silver people carrier.
Within the walls of the royal residence, toasts were drunk to the newlyweds, speeches made, including Prince Harry's best man speech, and guests danced the night away within the walls of the historic royal residence.
The ballroom, measuring just over 36 metres in length and 18 metres in width, is the largest of the 775 rooms in the palace and was the focal point for the party.
Guests mingled in the white drawing room, music room, blue drawing room and state dining room - all found in the west wing - and the nearby picture gallery.
One of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event, held in the State Rooms including the grand ballroom, was Prince Harry's best man speech.When the party concludes, the newlyweds were expected to spend their first night as a married couple at the Palace.
