Prince William and Princess Kate captivated the world when they exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. Even after all these years, the couple continues to leave a lasting impression on ordinary people. We are now going to delve into their relationship, from their regal engagements to their three beautiful children.
Although their marriage took place in 2011, Kate and William's paths first crossed a decade earlier while they were both studying history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. During their time as students, they kept their romance under wraps, but in 2007, they experienced a highly-publicized breakup.
During a joint interview in November 2010, Kate revealed that although she initially felt unhappy about the separation, it ultimately made her a stronger individual. She explained that the experience allowed her to discover things about herself that she hadn't realized before. Kate also acknowledged that when one is younger, they can become consumed by a relationship, making the time apart valuable for personal growth.
On the other hand, William elaborated on his decision to temporarily break up with Kate, stating that they were both in a phase of finding their own paths and maturing. He believed that taking some time apart provided them with the necessary space to grow individually, and ultimately led to a better outcome for their relationship.
In November 2010, the couple announced their engagement after reconciling the previous year. Today, they are the proud parents of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. William expressed his admiration for Kate's parenting skills in November 2016, acknowledging the significant personal change he experienced transitioning from being a single, independent man to a married father. He credited Catherine as an incredible mother and a fantastic wife, highlighting the invaluable support she provides him.
During an appearance on the "Happy Mum, Happy Baby" podcast in February 2020, Kate expressed her hopes for her children's memories of their childhood. She pondered the question of what she would want her children to remember, realizing that it wasn't about sitting down to do homework, but rather the moments of shared experiences. Whether it was attempting to cook sausages over a bonfire that didn't work due to the rain or the family's adventures at the beach, Kate emphasized the importance of creating lasting memories as a mother and as a family. She expressed her desire for her children to remember these joyful moments, rather than recalling a stressful household where she was trying to juggle multiple tasks without much success.
Scroll down to take a look back at William and Kate’s royal romance.
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Prince William and Princess Kate’s Relationship Timeline
Prince William and Princess Kate captivated the world when they exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. Even years later, ordinary people continue to be in awe of this remarkable couple. As we reflect on their journey, from their royal duties to their three beautiful children, We takes a closer look at the remarkable bond they share. Their story actually began a decade before their wedding, when they first crossed paths while studying history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. During their time at university, they kept their relationship private, but later experienced a very public breakup in 2007.
"Although I wasn't initially pleased with the situation, looking back, it actually had a positive impact on me," Kate revealed during a joint interview with William in November 2010. "I discovered aspects of myself that I hadn't been aware of. When you're young, it's easy to become completely consumed by a relationship, and in retrospect, I appreciate the time I had for personal growth."
William, on his part, explained the rationale behind their temporary separation. "We were both trying to find our own paths and navigating the challenges of growing up. Taking some time apart allowed us to gain perspective, and ultimately, it worked out for the better," he shared at the time.
The couple would mend their relationship the following year and publicly revealed their engagement in November 2010. Presently, they are joyfully raising their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
In November 2016, William expressed admiration for Kate's parenting skills. During an interview on Talk Vietnam, he acknowledged the significant personal transformation he has undergone since becoming a father. William recognized Catherine's unwavering support, describing her as an exceptional mother and an incredible wife. He admitted that he has faced challenges while adjusting from a solitary and independent lifestyle to the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood, acknowledging the profound impact it has had on his life.
Kate expressed her aspirations for their children in February 2020, emphasizing the importance of creating lasting memories. During an interview on the "Happy Mum, Happy Baby" podcast, she shared her thoughts on what she wanted her kids to remember about their childhood. Rather than focusing on academic achievements, Kate believed that it was the simple moments spent together as a family that truly mattered. Whether it was attempting to cook sausages over a bonfire that didn't quite work due to the rain or getting drenched at the beach and filling their boots with water, these were the experiences she hoped her children would cherish. Kate emphasized that she didn't want their household to be defined by stress and the pressure to excel in every aspect, but rather by the joy and togetherness they shared as a family.
Scroll down to take a look back at William and Kate’s royal romance.
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September 2001
The couple started dating when they crossed paths at the University of St Andrews. In a later interview with BBC's Tom Bradby, William confessed that he tried to impress his girlfriend at the time by preparing "exquisite gourmet meals."
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October 2010
Shortly after news of their engagement broke, Prince William and Kate Middleton sat down for their first-ever joint video interview. William shared that the special moment happened during their holiday in Kenya about three weeks ago. They had some private time together with friends, and he felt it was the perfect time to propose. William mentioned that they had been discussing marriage for a while, so it wasn't a complete surprise.
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April 2011
Just married! Kate stunned in a long-sleeve, Alexander McQueen wedding gown for the nuptials, while William wore a red Irish Guards Mounted Officer’s uniform.
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July 2013
It’s a boy! Their first child, Prince George, was born on July 22. The news of their growing brood was announced by William and Kate in December 2012. "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to share that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," stated Kensington Palace at the time.
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May 2015
Princess Charlotte's much-anticipated arrival was met with joy and excitement as Kate gave birth to their daughter on May 2. The proud parents proudly presented their baby girl to the world outside the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital in London. William looked dashing in a blue sweater, while Kate radiated elegance in a stunning white and yellow Jenny Packham dress.
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July 2017
William and Kate displayed a rare moment of PDA at the Wimbledon championship when the duchess wiped a speck from her husband's cheek.
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April 2018
Baby number five! Prince Louis arrived on April 23, bringing immense joy to Kate and William. As they left the hospital hours later, the prince expressed his happiness to the press, saying, "We're very happy. We're delighted. Thank you." William playfully teased about the name, stating, "You'll find out soon enough. We didn't keep you waiting too long."
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December 2019
Kate went viral when she pulled away from the prince when he attempted to place his hand on her shoulder during their appearance on the A Very Berry Christmas Special.
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February 2020
A source revealed to us that the decision of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to step down from their senior royal duties has actually brought the Cambridges "closer together", even with their increasingly busy schedules.
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March 2020
William and Kate marked their first official visit to Ireland with a three-day trip in Dublin, County Meath, County Kildare and Galway.
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April 2020
The royal couple advocated for the Every Mind Matters mental health campaign to highlight the importance of maintaining mental health amid the coronavirus quarantine.
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December 2020
The family of five delighted in spreading holiday cheer with a charming Christmas card in December 2020. According to an insider, George, Charlotte, and Louis eagerly anticipated the arrival of Christmas as it holds a special place in their hearts as their favorite time of the year.
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April 2021
The couple made headlines for their color-coordinated outfits and attempts to golf during a royal engagement at the Cheesy Waffles Project in Durham, England, in April 2021.
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April 2021
William and Kate commemorated their ten-year wedding anniversary on April 29, 2021, by sharing two exquisite portraits and a heartwarming family video. Their official Instagram expressed gratitude towards everyone for the kind messages and unwavering support they have received over the past decade as a family. The delightful video captured the couple joyfully playing with their children and enjoying the experience of roasting s'mores.
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May 2021
William and Kate revisited the University of St Andrews as part of their royal tour of Scotland in May 2021. During an appearance at The Church of Scotland, William expressed his fondness for the place where he first met Catherine, saying, "It was here in Scotland — 20 years ago this year — that I first met Catherine. Needless to say, the town where you meet your future wife holds a very special place in your heart." The couple took a stroll down memory lane, visiting some of their old haunts, which brought back cherished memories.
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December 2021
The royal couple made an appearance at London's Westminster Abbey for the "Together At Christmas" community carol service. Kate looked stunning in a vibrant red dress and coat, gracefully holding hands with her husband as they entered the chapel.
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December 2021
“Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!” the pair wrote via Instagram on New Year’s Eve alongside a photo of them all dressed up and smiling as they waved goodbye to 2021.
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March 2022
“Kate's hands are always icy cold," shared the Duke of Cambridge with Welsh residents during a joint St. David’s Day outing on March 1. "There's a saying, 'Cold hands, warm heart.'"
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April 2022
Will and Kate brought their eldest children, George and Charlotte, to the royal family’s annual Easter service at St George’s Chapel for the first time.
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May 2022
The duke and duchess stepped out at the London premiere of Top Gun: Maverick, where they met the entire cast — including star Tom Cruise.
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June 2022
Kate and William have decided to move from their long-term residence in Kensington Palace. The couple plans to relocate to Windsor in order to be closer to Queen Elizabeth II and Carole Middleton. Carole has always been available to take care of the children whenever the Cambridges need to travel between London and Windsor. This move signifies a fresh start for the family, and George, Charlotte, and Louis are eagerly looking forward to attending a new school and enjoying the countryside with plenty of open space for them to play freely.
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June 2022
On June 23, a stunning joint portrait of the couple was revealed at the prestigious Fitzwilliam Museum in the University of Cambridge. This extraordinary art piece, commissioned by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund, was skillfully painted by Jamie Coreth in 2021.
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September 2022
Following the passing of the queen, William and Kate were bestowed with new titles, assuming the roles of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in addition to their existing titles as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In his inaugural address as king, Charles also made the announcement that William would be styled as the Prince of Wales, a title traditionally reserved for the heir apparent. As William's wife, Kate would be referred to as the Princess of Wales. It is worth noting that this title was famously associated with Diana, but technically, Queen Consort Camilla became the Princess of Wales upon her marriage to Charles in 2005. However, she chose to use the title Duchess of Cornwall due to its close association with the late Diana.
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September 2022
The royals made their first solo appearance as the Prince and Princess of Wales as they viewed floral tributes to the late queen outside Sandringham Estate.
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September 2022
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall stood beside their two eldest children, George and Charlotte, during the queen's state funeral.
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September 2022
After the passing and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the couple resumed their duties by visiting Wales. This visit was significant as it was their first appearance in the country since being honored with the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales.
The couple began their week on September 27 in Anglesey, a place that holds special significance for William and Kate. It was here that they lived as newlyweds in 2010 and later as new parents after the birth of Prince George in 2013. With smiles on their faces, the royal pair visited the RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station before heading to Swansea. In Swansea, they met with food bank workers and children from the local area.
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April 2023
During a joint outing in England, an onlooker complimented William's wife on her appearance in a dark maroon dress. William, captured in footage uploaded to Twitter, responded by saying, "Oh she always looks stunning!"
To celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary, the couple exchanged heartfelt gifts. According to an exclusive source from Us, William presented his wife with a "stunning diamond ring" that once belonged to his late mother, as well as a "replica of the bouquet of flowers" Kate held on their wedding day. In return, Kate gifted William with a framed sketch of the two of them from an old photograph taken during their college days.
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May 2023
In a regal ceremony held at Westminster Abbey, William and Kate graced Charles' coronation. They entered the chapel in the grand procession alongside the king and queen, accompanied by their three children, creating a majestic scene.