In recent years, the British Royal Family has experienced significant transformations, a group typically associated with tradition rather than swift development. Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who governed the U.K. for most of the 21st century, some individuals might be seeking a sense of consistency. If there is a pair within the family that provides this, it’s Prince William and Kate Middleton.
William and Kate’s relationship has seemed, from the outside, to be somewhat of a fairy tale romance, starting from thestorybook wedding to the picturesque family of five they currently have.Certainly, the complete details of that fairy tale remain unclear, and some of the information presented might be partly aimed at enhancing the royal family’s public image. However, beyond appearances, there is an element about them that has fascinated people since the start of their relationship. Here’s a look back at their journey, from college sweethearts to a royal power couple.
2001
Prince William and Kate Middleton first encountered each other while pursuing their studies at St. Andrews University in Scotland. It is said that Williamwas won overafter witnessing Kate modeling at a student fashion show for charity (a event for which hereportedly paid£200 for a front row seat.
Other speculations indicate that her presence at St. Andrews was solely connected to meeting her future spouse.
The Crown historian Robert Lacey stated in his 2020 bookBattle of Brothers: William and Harry – The Inside Account of a Family in Turmoil, that Kate was attempting to create her future relationship with William when she was just 19.
“Kate was highly tactical,” Laceysaid“She abandoned her spot at one of Britain’s top universities, Edinburgh, and chose a different one [St. Andrews] that likely didn’t offer the same level of academic rigor. She had already visited Edinburgh to arrange her housing, but then changed universities and switched her major to art history because it was William’s choice. She postponed her education by a year and is taking the risk that she might not even be accepted into St. Andrews.”
She wasn’t the only one making these decisions. Enrollment applications to the school reportedly increased by 44 percent following the announcement that it was William’s chosen university. Not all of them may have been looking for marriage, but some likely were similar to Kate.
2002
Hello! magazine reportedThat Prince William was transitioning from his dormitory to a apartment with three university companions, one of whom was “a striking 20-year-old brunette” who later became Kate Middleton.
He reportedly began as merely her friend, but then witnessed her entering a fashion show in this sheer dress on March 26, 2002.
She’s there and about to walk down the runway at the fashion show, and she removes an additional layer of clothing,” Lacey explained. “Here is a very calculated woman who knows exactly what she wants and has achieved it.
They started seeing each other shortly after.
2004
William and Kate were captured together for the first time during a ski vacation in Klosters, leading to then-Prince Charlesto threaten to sever ties with The Sun, the publication that released the images. Charles was reportedly “very disappointed” with the violation of an agreement between the media and Buckingham Palace that allows royal children to pursue their education without their privacy being invaded.
2005
Both William and Kate graduated from St. Andrews. The Middletons later posted a picture of them together on that day.
2006
The couple attended Laura Parker-Bowles, Camilla’s daughter’s wedding, marking one of their earliest major public appearances as a couple. It also led to rumors that they were committed enough to eventually get married.
Spring 2007
In 2007, William and Kate temporarily separated and ended their relationship for a few months. Kate took avacation to Irelandwith her friends later, while Williamawkwardly fielded questionsregarding “how things are going” with Kate.
Kate later saidin a 2010 interview following their engagement, she later reflected that it was beneficial for them to have time apart.
I believe I wasn’t very pleased with it at that moment, but in reality, it helped make me more resilient… You discover aspects of yourself that you might not have been aware of,” she mentioned. “Or perhaps you can become deeply involved in a relationship when you’re younger. I truly appreciated that period for myself, even though I didn’t realize it at the time, and now looking back on it.
July 2007
By July of the same year, speculation started to circulate regarding a potential reunion as Kate was spottedparticipating in a celebration honoring Princess Diana—although she was seated two rows behind William with her sister, Pippa.
March 2008
The two were spotted together once more, back at the place where it all started: the ski slopes. Pictures depict Kate and William together in Klosters assources told newspapersthat they had reunited completely.
April 2008
William completed his Royal Air Force training, with Kate by his side.
October 2010
William proposed to Kate while visiting Kenya, with Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring”We spent some private time together with a few friends, and I just felt it was the right moment,” William later said.saidDuring their engagement interview, she said, “We had been discussing marriage for a while, so it wasn’t a huge surprise, but I took her somewhere special in Kenya.”
April 2011
Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot in a magical ceremony at Westminster Abbey, attended by almost72 million people worldwide. The bride did her own makeup, the groom wore sweat padsso that he would not perspire through his uniform, and Ellie Gouldingperformed at the reception.
By marrying William, Kate received the titles of Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, and Lady Carrickfergus.
2012
Following the wedding, the newlyweds moved to Wales and took in a dog, specifically an English Cocker Spaniel.named Lupo.
December 2012
St. James’ Palace stated thatKate was pregnantwith the couple’s first child. During her pregnancy, she washospitalizedfor hyperemesis gravidarum, also known as severe morning sickness.
July 2013
Kate delivered Prince George on July 22 andstepped out for post-baby photos.
September 2014
Kensington Palace stated that Kate waspregnantWith her and William’s second child, Kate had not yet reached the 12-week mark, but the Palace issued the statement as they believed they could not conceal the pregnancy from the media for much longer. Once again, Kate experienced severe morning sickness.
May 2015
Kate gave birthTo Princess Charlotte on May 2, who was then the fourth in line for the crown following Charles, William, and her elder brother, Prince George. She was also the first to assume the title of princess in 25 years. She holds the position of the highest-ranking woman in the line of succession.
February 2017
The couple made their red carpet appearance on February 12 at the British Academy Film Awards, where Prince William presented a BAFTA Fellowship award to Mel Brooks. Kate wore an off-the-shoulder, tiered floral-print gown by Alexander McQueen.
September 2017
Kensington Palace announcedThat Kate was expecting their third child. Similar to her previous two pregnancies, she experienced hyperemesis gravidarum.
April 2018
Kate gives birth to Prince Louis on April 23, making him the fifth in line for the throne. Although tradition stated that Louis, being male, would surpass Princess Charlotte in the succession order,the policy was amendedBefore George’s birth, the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 was in place. This made Charlotte the first female royal to surpass a younger male sibling.
May 2018
Kate and William took a prominent position at the wedding of his younger brother, Prince Harry, to Meghan Markle on May 19.
The couple joined Harry and Meghan in commemorating their wedding day during the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England. “William was in a playful, delightful state of mind at the celebration,” a wedding attendee shared.Peopleat that moment, noting that Kate was also in “excellent condition.”
They stated, “She and William were expressing their excitement about having their children there participating.”
October 2018
At Princess Eugenie’s wedding on October 12, Kate and William were observed displaying some affection. Eugenie was uniting with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, as the royal pair was seen holding hands in the pew.
Kate and William usually keep a low profile when they are in public.
April 2020
After the lockdown started in the U.K., the couple had a conversation with theBBCin a unique collaborative interview, talking about the experience of raising children during a pandemic.
It’s been a mix of good and tough times, much like many families who are isolating themselves,” Kate said. “The kids have so much energy; I don’t understand how. Honestly, by the end of the day, you write down everything you’ve accomplished. So, you set up a tent, take it down again, cook, and bake. By the end of the day—they’ve had a great time—but it’s incredible how much you can fit into a single day, that’s for sure.
November 2020
Nine years after they welcomed their cocker spaniel, Ludo, into their home, the couple revealed they had said goodbye to him. They posted a photo of the dog on Instagram along with a touching farewell message.
Regrettably, our beloved dog, Lupo, passed away last weekend,” the post stated. “He was the center of our family for the past nine years, and we will truly miss him. – W & C.
April 2021
On April 29, 2021, the couple commemorated their 10th wedding anniversary, also referred to as the tin anniversary. In honor of the occasion, they released fresh photographs captured by Chris Floyd at Kensington Palace.
They also shared a video featuring their kids as they walked across the sand dunes in Norfolk, England. They expressed gratitude to all who sent good wishes.
September 2021
On September 28, the pair dressed up for theNo Time to DieThe film debuted in London, with the actor posing alongside William’s father and stepmother. Members of the royal family attended the event as honored guests.
Kate was dressed in a Jenny Packham capelet dress adorned with gold sequins.
October 2021
On October 20, Kate and William attended their initial Earthshot Awards event at Alexandra Palace in London. The environmental program was initiated by William, who was responsible for delivering a speech during the ceremony. A picture captures them having a lovely moment together behind the scenes.
Also present at the event were Emma Thompson, Emma Watson, David Oyelowo, and Mo Salah. Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, KSI, and Coldplay took the stage.
May 2022
Attending another exciting premiere, the couple stepped onto the May 19 red carpet forTop Gun in the U.K.
Kate was dressed in a black Roland Mouret dress, featuring a white, off-the-shoulder wraparound design.
June 2022
The couple’s initial official photograph was revealed at the Fitzwilliam Museum of the University of Cambridge on June 23. It was originally ordered in 2021 by the Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund and created by Jamie Coreth, a renowned portrait painter.
September 2022
The Duke and Duchess bring their three children to visit the Lambrook school, where they will be starting their new academic journey. The preview day on September 7 allowed the family an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the campus and staff.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis were all dressed in their school attire.
September 2022
September 8
Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8. The former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were then appointed as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Rothesay. On September 9, William’s father bestowed the title of Prince and Princess of Wales.
In his speech to the country after learning about his mother’s passing, King Charles III stated, “With Catherine by his side, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I am certain, keep motivating and guiding our national discussions, working to move overlooked issues into the spotlight where essential support can be provided.”
The title of Princess of Wales was previously held by William’s mother, Diana, the Princess of Wales.
September 10
In addition to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, William and Kate went to Windsor Castle to see the flowers and presents donated by the public in memory of the late Queen.
September 19
The couple participated in Queen Elizabeth’s funeral at Westminster Hall following the procession of her coffin from Buckingham Palace.
They shared their goodbyes to her on Twitter along with an image of the procession.
November 2022
Kate and William participated in the Festival of Remembrance on November 12, an event honoring the day when the Allies and Germany signed the armistice that concluded World War I in Europe in 1918.
Later that evening during a performance at the Royal Albert Hall, Kate honored the late Queen by donning some of her iconic accessories: the Japanese pearl choker necklace and the Bahrain diamond and pearl drop earrings.
December 2022
The documentary series featuring Harry and Meghan became available on Netflix. It was mentioned that Kate and William chose not to view it.
Vanity Fair wrote, “Although staff will be closely following the series, as well as the lawyers for the royal family, the palace is hesitant to make statements about the show because they don’t wish to contribute to the growing media hype.”
Another source told Page Sixthat William and Kate had not watched the series.
“William and Kate’s staff have informed them about the program, but don’t anticipate the couple settling in their cottage with a bowl of popcorn to watch it themselves,” the insider stated.
Later that month, a source revealedUs Weeklyon December 22, Kate felt “betrayed” by the circumstances.
“Kate is feeling wounded and deceived that Harry would do this to her as well, particularly since the two were once very close,” they stated.
Regarding William, he “isn’t intending to share his version of events or publicly respond.”
January 2023
After the docuseries, Kate and William faced another surge of negative media attention when Harry’s memoir was releasedSparewas launched. A source familiar with both couples mentionedEntertainment Tonight in a report released on January 12 stating that “their relationship has completely collapsed.”
A different source stated that Kate felt “hurt and disappointed” by what Harry revealed about her inSpare because she thought “personal issues had become public.”
March 2023
Kate and William celebrated British Mother’s Day on their Instagram, posting fresh images of Kate with the couple’s three children. “Happy Mother’s Day from our family to yours ❤️,” they shared.
April 2023
The couple marked their 12th wedding anniversary with an Instagram post featuring them seated on identical bicycles.
“12 years ❤️,” they wrote as the caption for their post.
September 2023
A source spoke to Us Weekly regarding the status of Kate and William’s relationship, it was stated, “above all, they are proud of their marriage and their wonderful family.”
A palace insider told the outlet, ‘William and Kate are more in harmony than ever. They value their relationship deeply. For them, family is the top priority, and it always will be.’
The source mentioned the difficulties the couple has experienced over the past year, such as the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, have made their bond stronger. “They are in admiration of one another,” the source stated. “William tells everyone he meets that he couldn’t manage without Kate, and she reciprocates those feelings.”
They have also become somewhat more at ease with displaying public displays of affection, although they remain quite restrained in public: “William used to be quite uncomfortable with showing too much affection, but Kate has helped him unwind.”
October 2023
A source told Us Weekly That Kate and William’s marriage isn’t entirely without challenges. “Kate and William have experienced high and low points in their relationship, just like anyone else,” the source stated. “However, they are dedicated to their royal responsibilities and handling them as a team.”
November 2023
In an interview with ELLE.com, Endgame Author Omid Scobie refuted previous tabloid claims that Kate and William were experiencing difficulties in their relationship. “I believe that, in part, rumors gain their own momentum online, leading to a stronger desire for information that isn’t even accurate about a person,” he said. “I think William and Kate have mostly been shielded from this due to the British tabloids, which often rely on these very careless rumor-mongering practices. However, with Kate and William, especially given their strong relationships with many key newspaper editors and publishers, they have managed to avoid such situations.
But naturally, there’s no control over events in the U.S., and we’ve witnessed them becoming material for numerous supermarket tabloids reporting on their marriage issues and everything else,” he added. “I’m not here to discuss someone’s marriage. I can only rely on what I’ve heard from individuals who are far more connected to the situation than I could ever be.InTouch magazine is. I’ve not heard anything regarding a marriage facing difficulties.
I’m always very cautious about that kind of thing too,” he remarked. “Just as I choose to ignore that particular story, I also dismiss the reports about Harry and Meghan’s relationship facing difficulties. I believe it’s often very unoriginal tabloid reporting because they can’t profit from people being consistently happy. They need them to experience problems for their lives to seem more captivating, and I think sometimes two individuals can simply have a secure, maybe somewhat unexciting marriage, and that’s perfectly fine.
December 2023
Just like they do annually, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a family photo for the Christmas season.
In a monochrome image captured by Josh Shinner, the family is dressed informally in coordinated button-down shirts, trousers, or jeans. The two youngest kids are wearing black shoes with white tips. Charlotte is sitting in the front, with her parents positioned behind her, and her brothers standing on each side.
January 2024
On Thursday, January 18, Prince William was captured on camera driving away from the London Clinic in a black BMW after Kate’s abdominal surgery.
The scheduled procedure was shared on the couple’s Instagram account.
The operation was successful, and it is anticipated that she will stay in the hospital for 10 to 14 days before going home to continue her recovery,” the Palace stated on Instagram. They also mentioned that the Princess of Wales is “unlikely to resume public engagements until after Easter.
They stated that only “important” developments regarding her health will be disclosed to the public in an effort to “keep things as routine as possible for her children.”
The statement ended with, ‘The Princess of Wales wishes to apologize to everyone involved for having to delay her upcoming events.’ ‘She hopes to resume as many as possible, as soon as possible.’
On January 29, Kate left the hospital. It was revealed that she would resume her official royal responsibilities after Easter on March 31.
March 2024
On March 10, 2024, Kensington Palace marked U.K. Mother’s Day by sharing an image of Kate with her three children. The photo was credited to William. In the accompanying message, the princess wrote, “Thank you for your kind wishes and ongoing support during the past two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.”
Fans pointed out clear Photoshop alterations in the photo, leading to some debate about the image. This was made worse when several news outlets, includingThe Associated Press, retrieved the image through photo editing.
Kate then continued her message,admittingediting the image herself in a post on X, which was previously called Twitter.
Like many hobbyist photographers, I sometimes try out different edits,” she said. “I want to apologize for any confusion the family photo we posted yesterday may have caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a wonderful Mother’s Day. C.
A source told Entertainment Tonightthat the princess “desired to be visible,” noting that “the purpose of the photo was to express gratitude to the public for their support during her recovery and to present a beautiful image of the children.”
On March 22, the Princess of Wales released a video stating that she has been diagnosed with cancer after her abdominal surgery and is currently receiving treatment.
This was certainly a big surprise, and William and I have been working hard to deal with it privately for the well-being of our young family,” she stated. “As you might expect, this has required time. It has taken me time to recover from significant surgery before I could begin my treatment.
The following day, the couple issued another statement to express gratitude for the support they received. TheysaidIn their statement, “The Prince and Princess are both deeply touched by the kind messages received from people in the U.K., throughout the Commonwealth, and across the globe in response to Her Royal Highness’s message. They are profoundly moved by the public’s warmth and support and appreciate the understanding of their request for privacy at this moment.”
Kate was absent from the Easter services held at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. As perPeople, she spent the vacation with her family at home.
April 2024
The couple observed their 13th wedding anniversary quietly. They released a previously unseen photograph from their wedding day to commemorate the event. “13 years ago today!” they posted on April 29.
June 2024
On June 13, Kate posted an update regarding her treatment and recovery on Instagram, letting her fans know that she is experiencing progress. She also included a picture taken by Matt Porteous.
Subsequently, she attended Trooping the Color alongside William and their three children.
On June 21, Kate posted a special message to Prince William to celebrate his 42nd birthday. “Happy birthday Papa, we all love you very much! Cx,” she wrote on their Instagram account, accompanied by a photo she captured of him with their three kids.
August 2024
Kate was seen at the Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, which is an uncommon public appearance. For the event, Kate chose a checkered brown coat from Holland Cooper, paired it with a brown fedora hat decorated with orange and brown feathers. She left her dark brown hair loose and completed her outfit with gold earrings. View imageshere.
In addition to her close relatives, Kate was also accompanied by King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, James, the Earl of Wessex, and Sir Tim Laurence.
September 2024
On September 9, Kate Middleton announced updates onInstagramthat she had finished her chemotherapy session.
Making sure I remain free from cancer is now my main priority,” she wrote. “Even though I have completed chemotherapy, my journey toward healing and complete recovery is still ongoing.
She added, “Life as you understand it can shift in a moment, and we’ve had to discover how to handle the turbulent times and unfamiliar paths. The experience with cancer is intricate, frightening, and uncertain for everyone, particularly those nearest to you. It also humbly confronts you with your own weaknesses in ways you never imagined, leading to a fresh outlook on everything. This period has primarily reminded William and me to think deeply and appreciate the small but significant aspects of life that many of us often overlook. Just the act of loving and being loved.”
On Sunday, September 22, images of Kate and William were released byThe Sun, making her way to the Sunday service near the Balmoral estate in Crathie. This was one of her initial public appearances since she shared the news of concluding her chemotherapy treatment. King Charles and Queen Camilla were also spotted arriving at the service together.
November 2024
On November 7, the final day of his trip to Cape Town, Prince William shared insights into how the cancer diagnoses of Kate and Charles impacted him.
“It has been terrible. It is likely the hardest year of my life,” said the Prince of Wales, according to PeopleTrying to manage everything else while keeping things on schedule has been really challenging…But I’m very proud of my wife and my father for dealing with the situations they’ve faced. However, from a personal family perspective, it’s been, well, really tough.
When questioned about the Princess of Wales, William mentioned that she is “doing well.”
He was informed by a reporter that he appeared relaxed. William replied, “I couldn’t be less relaxed this year, so it’s quite interesting that you’re all perceiving it…But it’s more about just getting on with it and continuing forward. I enjoy my job and I like managing my pace while making sure I have time for my family as well.”
On November 9, Kate accompanied William at the annual Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall, which was her fourth official engagement of the year. For the occasion, the Princess of Wales chose a black wrap dress with long sleeves and a V-neck, paired with a Nura pearl necklace from the Monica Vinader line, and a pair of pearl and diamond drop earrings from Collingwood that had previously belonged to the late Princess Diana.
She was wearing semi-transparent black stockings, black heels, and had a red poppy pin on her lapel to pay tribute to veterans and those who lost their lives in service.
On the Thanksgiving holiday, a source revealedPeople that the couple is preparing for their first Christmas as a pair at Sandringham in Norfolk with King Charles.
December 2024
As anticipated, the entire family joined the Together at Christmas carol service on December 6.
On December 19, Kate and William released their 2024 festive card, which included a picture of the two of them. They added, “Wishing you a wonderfully Happy Christmas and New Year.”
January 2025
On Kate’s birthday, January 9, William penned a tribute which he posted on the couple’s shared Instagram account. “To the most amazing wife and mother. The resilience you’ve displayed over the past year has been truly impressive,” he wrote. “George, Charlotte, Louis, and I are incredibly proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”
February 2025
The couple visited the Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland on February 26 in Pontypridd, Wales, following significant flooding caused by Storm Bert and Storm Darragh in December 2024. The Prince and Princess spoke with locals about the recovery process and the challenges they have encountered since the storms.
March 2025
On March 10, Kate donned a striking red coat paired with a matching hat for the Commonwealth Day events at Westminster Abbey, while William stood beside her in a blue outfit.
On March 15, the Prince and Princess of Wales traveled to Cardiff, Wales, for the Wales versus England rugby game at Principality Stadium. William is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, while Kate is associated with the Rugby Football Union, resulting in a lighthearted competition. Nevertheless, the couple joined forces to visit injured athletes who are supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust at the Sir Tasker Watkins Suite.
Both of them wore long navy coats to the game, appearing to have coordinated their dark outfits.
July 2025
On July 8, Kate and Williamtook partAt the welcome ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron’s state visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by the couple. The pair had some tender moments throughout the event. In one image, Kate was captured smiling as she wrapped her arm around William’s waist.
Later, William extended his hand to assist her in descending the royal dais steps.
That night, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended a state banquet at St. George’s Hall, where they were captured on camera smiling as they arrived in formal clothing.
August 2025
A rep speaking with Us WeeklyOn August 16, it was confirmed that the couple intends to relocate. They are currently living in Adelaide Cottage within Windsor Home Park, near Windsor Castle.
A representative from Kensington Palace stated, ‘The Wales family will relocate later this year.’
A few days prior, a source mentionedThe Sun that William and Kate are seeking a “new beginning” following Kate’s cancer recovery and present state of remission.
