A royal love story for the ages! Kate Middleton and Prince William are going robust and celebrating 13 years of wedded bliss.
The couple celebrates their marriage ceremony anniversary on Monday, simply weeks after the stunning announcement that the Princess of Wales has been recognized with most cancers.
After months of hypothesis, Kate went public with the information in March 2024, opening up about her personal battle and the way she and William have dealt with the state of affairs with their three younger kids.
The couple has greater than a decade of marriage underneath their regal belts, share three youngsters — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — and are subsequent in line to the British royal throne after King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
However when the Prince and Princess of Wales first met, they have been two lovesick school college students on the College of St. Andrews in Scotland. They went from mates and roommates to longtime loves in a matter of years.
Within the wake of Kate’s current prognosis, look again at a timeline of their real-life romance:
2001: School Freshmen
Although they’d go on to have a cheerful life collectively, when William and Kate met on the College of St. Andrews in Scotland as school freshmen, they have been merely mates at first.
“We have been mates for over a yr first and it simply form of blossomed from then on,” William shared within the couple’s engagement interview with ITV years later. “We simply spent extra time with one another and had a superb giggle, had a number of enjoyable and realized we shared plenty of the identical pursuits. She’s received a very naughty humorousness which sort of helps me.”
Kate famous that it took “a little bit of time” for her and her future husband to get to know each other, including, “However we did turn into very shut mates from fairly early on.”
2002: Roommates
Nonetheless simply mates, the schoolmates moved in along with a gaggle of mates, together with Fergus Boyd and Olivia Bleasdale. William later shared that the romance “blossomed from there.”
Throughout this time, Kate additionally modeled in a scholar vogue present, which is rumored to have been the place she caught William’s eye as probably greater than a good friend. The longer term Princess of Wales wore a sheer gown by peer Charlotte Todd as part of the project appropriately titled, “The Artwork of Seduction.”
In 2019, Kate revealed that William used to cook dinner her dishes in school to impress her.
“[In our] college days, he used to cook dinner all kinds of meals,” Kate stated. “I feel that’s when he was attempting to impress me. Issues like Bolognese sauce and issues like that.”
2004: Going Public
After holding issues personal for greater than a yr, William and Kate’s romance was thrust into the general public eye in 2004 after images have been printed in The Solar of the couple on a ski vacation in Switzerland. The headline “Wills will get a woman” despatched shockwaves by the royal world because the royal household threatened to boycott the British tabloid for breaking the settlement to offer the household privateness following a public picture name with William, Charles and William’s youthful brother, Prince Harry.
March 2006: PDA Alert
Kate and her sister, Pippa Middleton, have been greeted by William at Eton School. In a uncommon second of PDA, William was seen hugging and kissing his future bride.
Might 2006: A Royal-Adjoining
Kate attended the marriage of Laura Parker Bowles and Harry Lopes together with William, Harry, Charles and Camilla. Laura is the daughter of Camilla.
December 2006: First Royal Occasion
Kate supported William at his commencement from the Royal Army Academy Sandhurst, the place there was one other particular visitor in attendance — William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
February 2007: Getting Their Cheer On
Kate joined William and Harry within the stands on the RBS Six Nations Championship match in London. The trio was seen passionately cheering on England collectively.
2007: A Cut up
The couple broke up for a number of months between April and June. William spoke in regards to the choice through the couple’s engagement interview years later, saying, “We did cut up up for a bit. We have been each very younger. It was at college, and we have been each defining ourselves as such and being completely different characters. We have been discovering our personal approach… it quickly labored out for the higher.”
Kate added that she “wasn’t very glad” in regards to the cut up on the time, however in the end felt that it was a superb choice for his or her relationship.
“It made me a stronger particular person. You discover out issues about your self that perhaps you hadn’t realized,” she shared. “I feel you will get fairly consumed by a relationship while you’re youthful and I actually valued that point for me.”
April 2008: William’s Greatest Fan
Kate attended Prince William’s RAF Cranwell commencement ceremony. The couple was all smiles as William accomplished in Royal Air Drive coaching.
January 2010: William’s Ultimate Commencement
Within the ultimate step of his Royal Air Drive coaching, William graduated from RAF Shawbury with a smiling Kate by his aspect.
November 2010: Engagement Information
The couple was overjoyed to announce their engagement publicly just some weeks after William popped the query whereas on vacation in Kenya.
“We had slightly personal time along with some mates and I simply determined that it was the precise time, actually. We might been speaking about marriage for some time so it wasn’t a massively massive shock,” William admitted through the couple’s engagement interview. “I took her up someplace good in Kenya, and I proposed.”
“It was very romantic. There is a true romantic in there,” Kate stated of her future husband, including that the proposal was a “whole shock.”
William stated that regardless of the shock nature of the proposal, the couple had been discussing marriage for “some time.”
“It simply felt actually proper. I had been doing a little bit of planning as a result of I wished to point out my romantic aspect,” William admitted.
William offered his future bride together with his late mom Princess Diana’s engagement ring in her marriage to then-Prince Charles.
“That is my approach of holding her near all of it,” William shared.
February 2011: First Official Outing
Months forward of their marriage ceremony, the engaged couple made an official royal outing to Trearddur, Wales, the place they launched the lifeboat Hereford Endeavour in Trearddur Bay. Kate was all smiles as she greeted the crowds who had lined as much as see her and her fiancé.
April 29, 2011: William and Kate’s Marriage ceremony
Individuals everywhere in the world tuned into Westminster Abbey to see Prince William marry Kate in a fairy-tale marriage ceremony. The bride wore a now-iconic Alexander McQueen robe, designed by Sarah Burton, which featured lace sleeves and a basic lower. William wore his pink army uniform for the big day. Upon their union, Queen Elizabeth II gave the couple the royal titles of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
July 2011: Kensington Palace Residence
Following their personal honeymoon in Seychelles, the couple moved into Kensington Palace, the place William’s mom, Princess Diana, had as soon as lived.
January 2012: A New Addition
The couple began their journey into parenthood with a cocker spaniel pet named Ludo.
July 2012: The Royal Basis
With the honeymoon stage full, the couple set to work, launching their Royal Basis web site, centered on their charitable works.
August 2012: London Olympics
The couple, together with Prince Harry, handed the Olympic torch at Buckingham Palace. Additionally they attended the opening ceremonies in addition to a number of occasions, cheering on Workforce England.
September 2012: Diamond Jubilee Tour
The couple launched into an official royal tour of Singapore, Malaysia, and Borneo in honor of the queen’s Diamond Jubilee yr.
December 2012: Child Information
The extremely anticipated announcement that William and Kate have been anticipating their first little one collectively got here forward of the vacations. Kate, who would go on to bodily battle with all of her pregnancies, was admitted to the hospital that very same day for pregnancy-related sickness.
July 2013: Prince George Is Born
The couple’s first child arrived on July 13, 2013. The royals stepped out at St. Mary’s Hospital to greet the press and well-wishers simply hours after the delivery sporting matching cornflower blue seems to be. Their son was named Prince George Alexander Louis.
September 2014: Extra Child Information
The pair was centered on increasing their household and simply over a yr after George’s delivery, they made the announcement that Kate was as soon as once more pregnant. Sadly, Kate as soon as once more suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum throughout her being pregnant, which led to hospitalization and therapy.
Might 2015: Princess Charlotte Is Born
A child lady was born on Might 2, 2015. The proud dad and mom and her excited older brother welcomed Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana at St. Mary’s Hospital.
July 2015: Fatherly Reward
In a uncommon interview with the BBC, William gushed about his spouse’s expertise as a mom.
“It’s implausible having a beautiful little household and I’m so thrilled,” he stated on the time. “Catherine has been doing a tremendous job as a mom and I am very pleased with her… I take my duties and obligations as a father very critically, and I wish to carry my kids up nearly as good folks.”
April 2016: Significant Anniversary
The couple took a visit to the Taj Mahal forward of their fifth marriage ceremony anniversary. The placement was significant as Princess Diana famously posed there in 1992.
February 2017: Purple Carpet Prepared
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went glam for the BAFTA Awards, strolling the pink carpet collectively. Kate wore an Alexander McQueen off-the-shoulder robe and a classy updo, whereas William rocked a basic tux.
September 2017: New Being pregnant
The royals introduced that Kate was anticipating once more, together with her sickness inflicting her to overlook Prince George’s first day at college. William took his son for the big day as Kate was as soon as once more in a physician’s care.
February 2018: The Fab 4
Earlier than the royal rift, William and Kate have been all smiles with Prince Harry and his then-fiancée, Meghan Markle, on the Royal Basis Discussion board in London. Meghan described the collaboration as “togetherness at its most interesting.”
April 2018: Prince Louis Is Born
The couple welcomed their second son, Prince Louis Arthur Charles, on April 23, 2018. They launched him to the world shortly after, stepping out with massive smiles at St. Mary’s.
Might 2018: Royal Marriage ceremony
The couple and their two eldest kids have been in attendance on the royal marriage ceremony of Harry and Meghan in Windsor, England. Prince George and Princess Charlotte served as members of the marriage celebration as William supported his brother at St. George’s Chapel.
October 2019: Royal Journey
Turning into the primary royal couple to go to Pakistan in 13 years, the duke and duchess had a four-day tour of the nation, following in Princess Diana’s footsteps in some ways.
January 2020: Kate’s Confession
Kate opened up about her battle postpartum following the delivery of Prince George.
“It was the primary yr and I’d simply had George — William was nonetheless working with search and rescue — and we got here up right here and I had a tiny, tiny child in the midst of Anglesey. It was so remoted, so lower off,” she advised different dad and mom, in accordance with royal reporters. “I did not have any household round and [Prince William] was doing night time shifts. So… if solely I had had a middle like this.”
January 2020: No Extra Children
Throughout an look in Bradford, England, Kate advised one fan within the crowd, “I do not assume William needs any extra,” when requested about child No. 4.
April 2020: Isolating Collectively
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the pair did official appearances through Zoom the place they talked about their Easter plans with their youngsters.
“There will probably be plenty of chocolate to eat right here,” William stated of their house.
“You retain consuming it!” Kate jokingly referred to as her husband out for his candy tooth.
July 2020: William’s Tough Reward
Throughout a podcast look, William joked a few dangerous reward he received his spouse early of their courtship.
“I gave my spouse a pair of binoculars as soon as. She’s by no means let me overlook that. That was early on within the courtship, that was,” William stated on The Peter Crouch Podcast. “I feel that sealed the deal, actually. Yeah, I wrapped them.”
April 2021: Prince Philip Dies
Amid their rift, Harry and William reunited on the funeral of their grandfather, Prince Philip. The extremely anticipated reunion was, partially, facilitated by Kate.
“They have been very tense as they walked into that chapel,” royal knowledgeable Katie Nicholl advised ET of William and Harry on the time. “As they got here out of it, you may see some pressure subtle. And I feel that was largely right down to the Duchess of Cambridge, who made some extent of talking to Harry and when she did that, you possibly can see them visibly chill out… It is all the time been my understanding that behind the scenes, Kate has tried very laborious to forge a rapprochement and act as a peacemaker between William and Harry.”
April 2021: tenth Anniversary
In honor of their milestone anniversary, the couple debuted gorgeous new household images and a candy video of themselves and their youngsters on the seashore.
Might 2021: YouTube Stars
Exhibiting some cute chemistry, the couple launched their official YouTube channel. “Watch out what you say as a result of these guys are filming every little thing,” William teased his spouse.
September 2021: Bond, James Bond
Decked out in a shiny golden robe, Kate was joined by William on the world premiere of Daniel Craig’s ultimate James Bond movie, No Time to Die.
January 2022: William Will get Nervous
William made his place on having extra youngsters clear throughout a go to to Lancashire, England, when Kate held a candy child.
“Do not give my spouse any extra concepts!” the daddy of three declared as the gang laughed.
Might 2022: Prime Gun
They felt the necessity, the necessity for velocity! The royals attended the U.Ok. premiere of Prime Gun: Maverick at London’s Leicester Sq.. They greeted star Tom Cruise and the remainder of the forged on the occasion.
June 2022: Kate and William Transfer
The Cambridges headed to the countryside, leaving their Kensington Palace house behind. They moved with their three kids to a brand new residence within the county of Berkshire, close to Windsor Fortress.
A supply advised ET on the time, “Prince William and Duchess Kate are anticipated to relocate this fall to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. The couple have been colleges within the Berkshire space close to Bucklebury, the place Kate’s dad and mom are and nearer to the queen’s house base at Windsor Fortress.”
September 2022: Queen Elizabeth’s Demise
Following the loss of life of Queen Elizabeth II, the couple needed to navigate their estranged relationship with Harry and Meghan. On the time, a supply advised ET that William reached out to Harry and Meghan through textual content to reconnect.
Within the wake of the queen’s loss of life, Charles grew to become King Charles III and William and Kate adopted the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales.
November 2022: Courtside Cuties
On the couple’s Royal Tour of Boston, they took in a Boston Celtics recreation and have been noticed clapping courtside.
January 2023: United Entrance
Within the wake of Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare, which broadly bashed William, the couple stepped out collectively for official occasions, not exhibiting any signal that one thing was incorrect.
April 2023: Informal Anniversary
For his or her 11-year anniversary, William and Kate shared an off-the-cuff bike-riding pic collectively.
Might 2023: King’s Coronation
The royal pair and their three kids have been in attendance on the coronation of King Charles III. They later shared a video from the historic occasion on their social media accounts writing, “What. A. Day.”
July 2023: Uncommon PDA
The duo embraced in a uncommon second of PDA throughout a charity polo match. Although they’re recognized for holding their distance at public occasions, William held his spouse and kissed her on each cheeks on the match.
September 2023: Playful on a Podcast
The pair jokingly mentioned their aggressive aspect with Mike Tindall, who’s married to William’s cousin, Zara Tindall, on his The Good, the Unhealthy & the Rugby podcast.
“I don’t assume we have managed to complete a recreation of tennis, the 2 of us,” Kate stated. “It turns into a psychological problem between the 2 of us.”
Apparently, in accordance with the prince, it turns into a recreation of “who can out-mental one another.”
November/December 2023: The Crown
With the six and ultimate season of The Crown premiering on Netflix in two components, the present is ready to doc the couple’s early romance. Although their a part of the story will not come till Dec. 14, many images of the actors taking part in the royal couple have been launched.
January 2024: Kate’s Surgical procedure
In early 2024, Kensington Palace introduced that the mom of three had been admitted to The London Clinic for a “deliberate belly surgical procedure.” On the time, the palace didn’t disclose what the process was for, noting that the Princess of Wales wouldn’t be returning to her royal duties till after the Easter vacation. William was noticed visiting his spouse on the hospital amid her keep.
Coincidentally, William’s father, King Charles III, additionally underwent a process for an enlarged prostate on the identical facility and later introduced that he had been recognized with most cancers and could be briefly stepping again from his royal duties whereas present process therapy.
February-March 2024: Royal Hypothesis
As time handed with out a single sighting of the princess, on-line rumors started circulating. This solely intensified after the couple launched a portrait on British Mom’s Day of Kate and their three kids, supposedly taken by Prince William. However a number of information shops, together with the Related Press, took the picture down, claiming it was manipulated. Rapidly, conspiracy theories started popping up on-line relating to Kate’s well being and the state of the couple’s marriage.
March 2024: Kate’s Most cancers Reveal
Amid a whirlwind of hypothesis on-line and across the globe, Kate set the document straight with a heartfelt video message, revealing that she had been recognized with most cancers. Calling the prognosis a “big shock,” Kate revealed that she and William had chosen to attend to share the information with their three kids, which led to the months of holding the information personal.
“As I’ve stated to [my children]; I’m properly and getting stronger day by day by specializing in the issues that may assist me heal; in my thoughts, physique and spirits,” Kate stated in her message.
The proud spouse added of her husband’s assist, “Having William by my aspect is a good supply of consolation and reassurance too. As is the love, assist and kindness that has been proven by so lots of you. It means a lot to us each.”
Following the announcement, ET’s royal knowledgeable, Katie Nicholl, opened up about how the couple was weathering the storm.
“We’re advised by the palace that Kate’s feeling optimistic and that she’s in good spirits,” Nicholl shared. “Hopefully the identical might be stated of Prince William, however clearly he will be desperately nervous. That is his spouse, his accomplice of some 20 years. The mom of his beautiful three younger kids.”
Because of each his spouse and his father, King Charles III’s, most cancers diagnoses, William is being pressured to step up in his royal duties.
April 2024: thirteenth Marriage ceremony Anniversary
The couple marked 13 years of marriage on April 29 with a throwback marriage ceremony picture. Within the gorgeous black-and-white shot, William stands behind Kate together with his palms positioned gently on her hips. The duo smile for the digicam because the bride holds her bouquet of flowers.
“13 years in the past as we speak!” a caption on the submit reads.
RELATED CONTENT: