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The Middleton family's pub landlord has revealed how he had to apologise to the Queen after making a faux pas on Kate and William's wedding day.
John Haley, landlord of the Old Boot Inn pub in Stanford Dingley, has been a close friend of the family for years, and was invited to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tie the knot at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
Appearing on Lorraine today, he recalled looking the 'wrong way' while Kate and William were leaving the church and turning around to find Her Majesty 'staring at him two or three feet away' .
He also explained how he bagged a seat on the front row of the Abbey - reserved for high-ranking officials - after befriending a dignitary from Clarence House before the ceremony.
© Provided by Daily MailThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge invited the Middleton family's pub landlord to watch them tie the knot at Westminster Abbey in 2011
© Provided by Daily MailAppearing on Lorraine today, the landlord of the Old Boot Inn pub in Stanford Dingley revealed how he had to apolagise to the Queen after making a faux pas on the day
John explained: 'When Kate and William were coming down the aisle, when they'd finished and they had got married, they were walking towards the the door and I was watching them right down the aisle and I was the only one watching them.
'I realised everyone was looking right and as I looked right, there was the Queen - two or three feet from me, staring at me because I was looking the wrong way.
'So I said "Sorry ma'am!". It was quite funny.'
He went on to share the story of how he upgraded his seat from the third row to the first, admitting it was 'absolutely marvelous' to be moved.
© Provided by Daily MailHe recalled looking the 'wrong way' while Kate and William were leaving the church and how he turned around to find Her Majesty staring at him 'two or three feet away'
'I couldn't believe it, I was so happy', said John, 'I got to the Abbey very early and I met a chap from Clarence House.
'We got to the Abbey and I was on the third row and this gentleman was on the front row and there was a spare seat, it was for all the dignitaries.
'But he said "John come sit here", and I was on the front row of the Abbey and it was absolutely marvelous.'
The Duke and Duchess regularly enjoy visits to the Old Boot Inn, near the Duchess' hometown, and will usually bring their children - George, seven, Charlotte, five and Louis, two - with them to play in the garden.
Kate's parents Carole and Michael and her sister Pippa, are also reported to be regulars at the pub - with Carole, 64, said to pop in twice a week for a glass of Pinot Noir.
© Provided by Daily MailThe Old Boot Inn (pictured), in Bucklebury welcomes the Cambridges and their children with open arms
© Provided by Daily MailThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will pop to the local pub in Bucklebury, near where Kate grew up. Pictured during 2019's Trooping the Colour with Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five and Prince Louis, two
Speaking this morning, John said: 'I've known the Middleton's for some 25 years, I've seen Kate grow up from a young girl.
'I've known Carol and Mike, they used to come in and have a drink, have a meal. I've known them many years and what a great family, fabulous family and a fabulous story'.
John will appear in ITV documentary The Day Will and Kate Got Married, which will explore the day Kate, 39, married William, 38, tied the knot, through the memories of family, friends and insiders, ten years on.
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