JAMES MIDDLETON and ALIZEE THEVENET Exclusive photographs as they share memories of their idyllic wedding in the South of France

ON MEMORIES OF THEIR BIG DAY IN FRANCE SURROUNDED BY LOVED ONES — AND TWO VERY SPECIAL FLOWER GIRLS

Beaming with joy as they stand on the front seat of an open-top vintage car against the sun-dappled backdrop of the French countryside, James Middleton and Alizée Thevenet are ready to celebrate finally saying “I do” and becoming husband and wife.

And here, in a world exclusive, hello! is thrilled to present the first photographs of the happy couple’s big day, which took place surrounded by friends and family in Bormes-les-Mimosas, famous for being one of the most beautiful villages in the Côte d’Azur, on Saturday 11 September.

PERFECT PARTY

“There are three important things for a good party: good music, good food and wine, and wonderful people. We were lucky enough to have all three,” James, the younger brother of the Duchess of Cambridge, exclusively tells hello! as he shares with us the details of their intimate wedding, from the low- key town hall ceremony to the beach-side reception, the touching family story behind Alizée’s stunning wedding dress – and the two guests of honour, their dogs Ella and Mabel.

“We couldn’t be happier,” continues James, 34, who had been forced to twice postpone their wedding, originally planned for May 2020. “It was wonderful to finally celebrate with family and friends despite the challenges of a global pandemic but we were relaxed and knew the day would eventually come.” That day was celebrated in style by their nearest and dearest, including James’s sister the Duchess of Cambridge, together with the Duke and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Also present was his sister Pippa and her husband James Matthews, and their young children Arthur and Grace – and of course his parents Michael and Carole Middleton, with whom James and

‘We were lucky enough to have good music, good food and wine and wonderful people’

Alizée resided during lockdown. It was during those months last year, at the family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, that the bride- to- be struck upon the perfect wedding gown.

THE PERFECT FIT

“My something borrowed was in fact my dress from my mother- in- law Carole, who last wore it on her wedding day in June 1980,” explains the 32- year- old financial analyst, who looked resplendent in the simple white, floorlength gown featuring a Bardot neckline and embroidered detailing, which she perfectly set off with a chic half up half down hairstyle, a fingertip-length veil and a rustic wildflower bouquet.

“While talking about dresses with Carole and sharing ideas during lockdown for inspiration, I tried on her wedding dress and fell in love with it. It fitted me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted. It always troubled me that wedding dresses are worn once and so it was amazing to give such a beautiful dress a second lease of life.”

The couple are known for their relaxed approach, and their wedding day – almost two years to the day after their romantic engagement in the Lake District, when James presented her with a stunning sapphire engagement ring – was very much in keeping with that.

“We did start the day with a swim in the sea with the dogs,” smiles James, who had brought golden retriever Mabel and spaniel Ella to France for the big day – where both had very

‘While talking about dresses with Carole and sharing ideas during lockdown for inspiration, I tried on her wedding dress and fell in love with it’ Alizée

important roles to fulfil. “Ella and Mabel were the flower girls,” he says of his beloved canine companions, who both wore white ribbons on their collars.

TAKING THEIR VOWS

The bride and groom then got ready for the wedding separately – James in a beige linen suit from Ralph Lauren – meeting again for the first time at the picturesque town hall. “The Mairie at Bormes-les-Mimosas looks over the village and was the perfect setting,” explains Alizée, who was born in Germany and raised in Chile, Indonesia, France and Belgium.

“The mayor conducted a traditional French marriage ceremony and made the gesture to speak in both languages, much to the delight of our English guests… and James!” Of her new husband, she affectionately adds: “He definitely speaks fluent franglais and is slowly improving, but there’s still a long way to go.”

One person sadly missing from proceedings was Alizée’s father, who passed away a few months ago, but who had publicly given his blessing to his son-in-law, saying at the start of their relationship: “James and the Middleton family are very charming. We have a lot of admiration for the whole Middleton family – James, his sisters and his parents.”

But Alizée was supported on the day by close family and friends, including her mother and her brother – and, between them as they exchanged their vows, Ella, the inspiration behind James’s company Ella & Co. and the one he credits for introducing him to Alizée at the South Kensington Club in London’s Chelsea, when the spaniel made a beeline for Alizée, who then mistakenly thought James was a waiter and tried to order a drink from him.

He has also praised Ella and Mabel and his other dogs – Zulu, Inka, Luna and Nala, who didn’t attend the wedding – for helping him with his battle with depression.

“I have been on many journeys with Ella with ups and downs. The journey with

‘ We are so glad

we waited to be able to celebrate with

everybody’

James and Alizée on their wedding day in the South of France. After the ceremony, the newlyweds arrive at their reception in style (right)

‘ It was wonderful to fifinally celebrate with family and friends’

James shares an affectionate moment with his beloved dog and flower girl Ella on the big day ( above). After postponing the wedding twice due to the pandemic, he now says he “couldn’t be happier”. The entrepreneur, who shares a home with Alizée and their dogs, keeps his social media following up to date on key life events, including the announcement of their engagement on Instagram ( left) and his joy over buying a home and settling into life in the country (right)

The other canine guest of the day was Mabel, who also performed the important duty of flower girl

The couple exchange vows with Ella sat between them and Mabel nestled under the mayor’s desk at the town hall of Bormes-les-Mimosas (above). James’s big sisters Pippa and Kate (below left at Pippa’s wedding to James Matthews) and his parents Carole and Michael (below right) all attended the big day

Alizée looks beautiful in a wedding gown that was originally worn by her motherin-law Carole at her own wedding in 1980. “It was amazing to give such a beautiful dress a second lease of life,” she says

James takes care of the driving while his bride delights in the celebrations as they arrive at their reception at Café Léoube on Pellegrin beach in a white vintage Citroën 2CV (above). “It’s such a fantastic and iconic French car,” says James. Posting an image from the day (below) to his Instagram account, he adds: “Words cannot describe how happy I am”

After dinner and drinks, the pair take to the dancefloor for the first dance as friends and family cheer them on (above). The restaurant (below right) sits on the edge of the idyllic Léoube estate, a patchwork of olive groves and vineyards a stone’s throw away from the Mediterranean (below left). “Ella and Mabel were given the job of welcoming each guest as they arrived,” says James of his dogs