By Daily Mail Reporter


Surprise guest: The Duchess of Cambridge at the wedding of Sam Waley-Cohen - the friend credited with getting Kate and William back together


The man credited with saving Prince William and Kate's romance got a surprise guest at his own wedding today - the Duchess of Cambridge.

Just hours after she proudly watched her husband take part in his first Trooping the Colour, Kate joined guests at the wedding of close friend Sam Waley-Cohen, who married party organiser Bella Balin today.

The jump-jockey was branded the royal matchmaker after apparently helping Kate and Wills rekindle their romance after their brief split in March 2007 - a claim which Mr Waley-Cohen has modestly denied since.


Wearing a fitted monochrome spot-pattern dress - but still sporting the black hat she wore for the Royal ceremony at Buckingham Palace earlier in the day - the Duchess was accompanied by her younger sister Pippa Middleton, who donned a lime-green coat over a dark dress and a black hat.

The pair chatted with friends, villagers and wedding guests outside St Michael and All Angels Church in Lambourn, near Hungerford in Berkshire, before the ceremony began.

According to onlookers, the future Queen drove herself to the wedding and had apparently changed into a new outfit since her appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where she wore a fitted white coat.

Royalist and Lambourn resident Carol Morgan joined a small crowd of well wishers outside the church.

Sister act: Kate attended the wedding with Pippa Middleton, just hours after watching her husband in Trooping the Colour

Social butterfly: The Duchess might be forgiven if she felt a bit tired today after cramming in two events in one day... first at Buckingham Palace, before putting in an appearance at the wedding


The 64-year-old said: 'It was a fantastic wedding and I saw Kate arrive at the church with her sister after she apparently drove herself there.

'She arrived about 20 minutes before the service started and was very relaxed and comfortable in the company of all the guests.

'We watched her happily talk with and greet friends outside the church with a kiss before she went inside for the service.

'When the wedding had finished Kate joined others in making an avenue outside the church for the newlyweds to walk through.

'There were security around but it was all very low key. Kate did look lovely but she made sure that she didn't over shadow the bride on her day. It was a super afternoon.'

Haven't we seen that hat already today? Thrifty Kate managed to get two wears out of this black head piece

Wedding party: Kate chats with guests as they make their way into the church


The bride and groom were spotted leaving the church in a sports car strikingly similar to the Aston Martin Volante that Prince William took Kate for a spin in following their wedding at Westminster Abbey.

It was at a party at Mr Waley-Cohen's family's 17th Century mansion in Oxfordshire in June 2007 - after they split in March 2007 - that William and Kate were seen in deep conversation sparking rumours that a reunion could be on the cards

Just weeks later the pair were spotted aboard a yacht on a private island in the Seychelles.

Warm welcome: The Duchess of Cambridge is greeted by a friend. Onlookers say she was relaxed and chatty


He is the son of businessman, racehorse breeder and trainer Robert Waley-Cohen, nephew of the theatre owner and producer Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen Bt. and grandson of Lord Mayor of London, Bernard Waley-Cohen.

The 28-year-old is a part-time businessman and English National Hunt jump jockey and attended £27,000 pounds a year St Edwards - Teddies - in Oxford.

He came second in the 2011 Grand National and has also built up the Portman Healthcare chain of dental practices since he started the business in 2009.


source:dailymail