Prince Charles and Queen Camilla arrived first, followed by Princess Anne, then Zara and Mike Tindall with their children. George, Charlotte, and Louis bounced with excitement, handing their father homemade cards covered in stick figures, glitter, and love. Kate gave William a knowing smile. “Tonight,” she whispered, “is just for you.”

And it truly was.

As the guests mingled and laughter echoed through the garden, a hush began to fall. The lights dimmed gently, and a soft golden spotlight lit the small stage.

William looked up from his seat — just as Ellie Goulding stepped into view.

He gasped softly. “No way.”

The crowd broke into warm applause. Kate grinned. “Surprise.”

Ellie, dressed in a flowing ivory gown with minimal makeup and a glowing smile, waved shyly. “Happy birthday, Your Royal Highness,” she teased. “But more importantly… happy birthday, Will.”

William rose to greet her with a heartfelt hug. The two had shared a unique friendship for over a decade — not just as public figures, but as real friends. Ellie had performed “Your Song” at William and Kate’s 2011 wedding reception, a moment still cherished by both.

“I couldn’t not be here tonight,” Ellie said, settling at the grand piano placed center stage. “This next song… well, I think you’ll know why I chose it.”

The first gentle notes filled the garden — the opening chords of “How Long Will I Love You”.

Silence fell.

It was as if the garden itself was holding its breath. The guests sat transfixed, their champagne flutes still in hand, eyes locked on the stage.

Ellie’s voice, soft but powerful, carried emotion that seemed to echo through the trees and stars alike. The lyrics — simple yet haunting — drifted across the crowd:

“How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you… and longer if I can…”

William blinked, visibly moved. Kate slipped her hand into his, her thumb gently brushing his knuckles. The two didn’t need to say a word. Everything was understood in the glance they shared — a glance full of years, of shared joys and trials, of resilience.

Ellie wasn’t just singing a song. She was delivering a time capsule — a love letter in melody that spanned back to that magical wedding night and carried forward to everything they’d become since.

When the final note faded into the summer air, there was a long pause — then a surge of applause. But it wasn’t loud. It was tender, like the night itself.

William stood again, walked to the stage, and embraced Ellie once more. “Thank you,” he said softly. “That meant more than I can say.”

Ellie smiled. “It was an honor.”

The party continued, but now it had changed. The music meant something. Guests gathered closer, conversations deepened, and laughter grew louder.

Soon, another familiar voice joined the stage — Ed Sheeran, who had slipped in quietly during Ellie’s performance. “Couldn’t let Ellie have all the fun,” he joked, before launching into an acoustic rendition of “Photograph.” He later teamed up with Ellie for a spontaneous duet of “Perfect.”

Even little Charlotte danced barefoot on the grass with Louis twirling beside her, their laughter high and pure. Prince George clapped along from the edge, already showing signs of his father’s quiet dignity.

At one point, Kate leaned in and whispered to William, “Look at them. This is our legacy.”

Dinner was served — not by royal staff in white gloves, but buffet-style with hearty British fare: roast chicken, seasonal vegetables, and warm apple crumble with clotted cream. Guests ate under the stars, sharing memories, jokes, and toasts.

Prince Harry and Meghan appeared once more via video call, this time joined by Archie and Lilibet, who sang a sweet, slightly off-key “Happy Birthday” that made William chuckle and shake his head. “Tell them they’re getting a corgi each,” he joked.

As the night wore on, a bonfire was lit, and guests huddled around with glasses of mulled wine and wool blankets. More songs were sung — some planned, many not.

In a quiet moment, William sat beside Kate, watching the flames flicker. “You did all this?” he asked.

She nodded.

He took a deep breath, smiled. “You know what the funny part is?”

“What?”

“I didn’t even want a party.”

Kate laughed, resting her head on his shoulder. “That’s why it worked.”

Later, just before midnight, the children brought out a birthday cake shaped like a rugby ball, complete with icing stitches and a playful message: “Try not to get older too fast!” George had written it himself.

As the final candles were blown out and the stars above Windsor glowed brighter than ever, William stood once more to address the small crowd.

“I’ve been lucky in so many ways,” he said. “But tonight reminded me of what luck really means. It’s this — being surrounded by people who know me, who’ve grown with me, and who still show up with love.”

He paused, then added, “Ellie, thank you again. I’ll never forget that song.”

The guests cheered. Ellie bowed playfully. “Anytime, Your Highness.”

But to everyone present, he wasn’t “Your Highness” that night.

He was Will. A friend. A husband. A father. A man surrounded by love, serenaded under the stars by a voice from his past, and gifted a night that would live forever in his memory.

And somewhere, deep in the quiet hum of the evening, that simple question still lingered in the air like a melody:

“How long will I love you?”
As long as stars are above you.
And longer… if I can.

Kate Middleton and Prince William Reunite with Their Wedding Singer Ellie Goulding at Earthshot Awards

The British songstress serenaded the newlyweds with her version of Elton John’s “Your Song”