Prince William and Kate Middleton have been married for over 13 years. The Prince and Princess of Wales have faced many challenges together, and now, after a difficult year, Kate is on her way to fully recovering from the cancer she was diagnosed with in February.
Kate’s recovery has been a tough journey for the entire family. William has had to take on significantly more responsibilities than usual.
Despite their unwavering support for each other, the ordeal could have strained their marriage…
As Kate Middleton made her royal comeback at Trooping the Colour, royal fans worldwide were thrilled to see the future queen in public again. While her full recovery might take some time, her marriage with Prince William has remained strong. In fact, according to a royal expert, Kate’s illness may have even strengthened their bond.
Prince William and Kate Middleton first met while studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. They were introduced through friends, although Kate was initially shy.
“I actually went bright red when I met you and scuttled off feeling very shy about meeting you,” she recalled.
“William wasn’t there for quite a bit of the time initially, he wasn’t there from Fresher’s Week, so it did take a bit of time for us to get to know each other.”
Prince William & Kate Middleton – how they met
William, on the other hand, struggled to recall their first meeting, admitting he had to “wrack his brains” to remember it.
Initially, William and Kate were just great friends. However, as their years at university progressed, their relationship grew more serious. According to Insider, Kate caught William’s eye with a $40 outfit at a fashion show, and the couple started dating soon after.
The documentary The Day Will and Kate Got Married, which aired in April 2021, highlighted this pivotal moment.
“A switch had been flicked, he suddenly saw her in a different light, and I really believe that was the turning point in their relationship,” said Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, in the documentary.
Soon, they were deeply in love. Although Kate’s outfit initially caught his eye, William explained that their relationship evolved as they spent more time together.
“We were friends for over a year first and it just sort of blossomed from then on,” William told The Telegraph. “We just spent more time with each other and had a good giggle, and realized we shared the same interests.”
William and Kate spent significant time getting to know each other at university. In 2005, they both graduated; Kate earned a degree in art history, while William received one in geography.
How Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton
By this point, things had started to get serious. William and Kate had publicly announced their relationship, and by the time they graduated, they had already lived together for quite some time.
In 2006, Kate made her first public appearance with the Royal Family. Later that year, she attended the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy with her family, where William was present. The couple briefly broke up in 2007 but reunited in 2008.
After their breakup, things improved between Kate and William. They became a loving couple again and were well-received by the public. In 2010, they took the next step in their relationship.
William proposed during a holiday in Kenya. He had reportedly been carrying a ring in a bag for three weeks and never let it out of his sight. Although Kate had considered the possibility of a proposal, it still came as a “total shock.”
“It was very romantic,” Kate said. “There’s a true romantic in there.”
The ring was exceptional and fitting for a future Queen Consort, as it had belonged to William’s mother, Princess Diana.
On April 29, 2011, William and Kate were married at Westminster Abbey in London.
Since then, the couple has welcomed three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Kate Middleton’s royal comeback amid cancer diagnosis
When Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, William and Kate had to step up and become even more vital to the royal family, especially since Prince William is now next in line to the throne, and Kate will eventually become queen.
This year was meant to be King Charles’s first full year as the official monarch, marking a new era for the royals. However, the year quickly took a sad turn. Kate Middleton underwent abdominal surgery, and shortly after, King Charles received a sudden cancer diagnosis. In March, Kate announced that she had also been diagnosed with cancer.
Since then, Prince William has been balancing his royal responsibilities with being a father and husband. While he has been praised for managing the situation, experts note that it has been a challenging time for him.
Two weeks ago, Kate Middleton shared the fantastic news that she would attend Trooping the Colour.
After riding in the carriage, waving, and smiling at her fans, the Princess of Wales appeared on the balcony with Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Despite the difficulties, Kate has not faced this challenging time alone. Prince William has shouldered the significant responsibility of caring for George, Charlotte, and Louis while fulfilling his royal duties.
Royal expert shares insight into Prince William and Kate Middleton’s marriage
The pictures on the balcony spoke volumes as William and Kate smiled at each other. According to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, it painted a clear picture: they have not only weathered a challenging period but also hold hopes for a bright future.
“The last few months have been a test of their strong partnership,” Bond told OK! Magazine. “This photograph shows that they can still find joy, even in the toughest times, and that Kate has deliberately chosen an image that reflects their optimism for the future.”
“She adores William – he is her rock and has supported her selflessly through all of this, taking flak from the public for not doing more and for dedicating himself to her. So she adores her man. I think their marriage is stronger than ever.”
Jennie Bond continued, describing William’s dedication to Kate as a “great accolade.”
While the future king has faced some criticism for his behavior following his wife’s cancer diagnosis, Bond emphasized that his actions stem from his complete devotion to her.
“It’s a great accolade to have your partner, who has such a public role, say, ‘OK, I don’t care what people say, you are my priority,’” she concluded. “William has made it absolutely clear that Kate and the children are his number one priority and nothing is going to move him away from that path.”
“All he wants to do is protect his wife and children”
Prince William and Kate Middleton have never faced a challenge like this before for their tight-knit family. While it has been an emotional rollercoaster, the tragic passing of his mother, Princess Diana, has, in some ways, helped him and his family navigate recent months.
A source close to Prince William told the Sunday Times in mid-March that the future king had gone into “protection mode,” focusing on shielding his children as their mother’s health is discussed in the media and among the public. William, having lost his mother as a teenager, understands the importance of protection.
“All he wants to do is protect his wife and children. The family just wants to go away for Easter, spend time together, the five of them, close off from the world, and move on.”
Princess Diana never got to see her children marry or have children, but according to royal commentator Ingrid Seward, Diana would have been very proud of William’s handling of everything over the past year.
“It has been one of the most difficult couple of years of Prince William’s life,” she told the Mirror.
“William is sensitive, he likes structure, and he has perseverance. He does not give up easily. His relationship with brother Harry upset him more than he would care to admit. But he found it easier to cut ties rather than allow himself to be continually annoyed.”
Seward added, “His life with Kate gives him the security, love, and friendship he needs. He doesn’t dwell upon the loss of his mother but knows the feeling of hurt will never go away completely.”
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