The world’s eyes were on Prince William and Kate Middleton when they got married on April 29, 2011 — and at every major life event since, from the births of their children to their 10th wedding anniversary on April 29, 2021.
From the couple’s days as college sweethearts to their life together as parents and senior members of the royal family, here’s a look at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s relationship through the years.
2001-2005: The college years
William, heir to the British throne, met Kate, the oldest child of commoners Carole and Michael Middleton, while they were students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Although the pair started out as pals, Kate is said to have really caught William’s eye after she modeled a see-through dress during a college fashion show.
In 2004, news of a royal romance emerged after the lovebirds were photographed for the first time during a ski trip at the Swiss resort of Klosters. William and Kate’s relationship continued to flourish, and the couple celebrated their college graduation together.
Early 2007: A brief breakup
Two years after the pair graduated from St. Andrews, William and Kate’s relationship briefly ended. Looking back on the breakup, Kate said in a 2010 post-engagement interview that their time apart “made her a stronger person.”
“You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realized, or I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you’re younger, and I really valued that time for me as well although I didn’t think it at the time,” Kate said.
Mid-2007-2009: Reunited and it feels so good
William and Kate’s relationship appeared to be back on track by July 2007, when she attended a tribute concert for William’s late mother, Princess Diana, in London. Kate was photographed in the royal box, along with William, his younger brother, Prince Harry, and Harry’s then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
Following their reunion, Kate publicly showed support for her man, including in April 2008 at his graduation from Royal Air Force training.
2010: A royal engagement
William and Kate announced their engagement in November 2010 to huge fanfare. Wills presented his future bride with a very special engagement ring: his late mother Diana’s famed sapphire engagement bauble given to her by William’s father, Prince Charles.
William proposed during a trip to Kenya.
“We had a little private time away together with some friends, and I just decided that it was the right time, really, and we had been talking about marriage for a while,” William said during a post-engagement interview.
2011: Wedding bells are ringing
Less than a year after the couple announced their engagement, the world watched as the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married on April 29, 2011.
For the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, Kate wore a long-sleeved gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. She also wore the Cartier Halo tiara, lent to her by William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth.
William and Kate later shared a much-anticipated kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where they were surrounded by other members of the royal family.
2013: Welcome, Prince George
William and Kate welcomed their first child — son Prince George, who is third in line to the throne — on July 22, 2013. A newborn George made his public debut on the steps at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London, where both of his parents appropriately posed in baby blue.
2015-2018: The Cambridge family expands
The Cambridges’ second child, Princess Charlotte, arrived on May 2, 2015. Then, three years later, Kate gave birth to the couple’s third child, Prince Louis, on April 23, 2018.
Less than a month after Louis’ birth, Kate and William, along with their two eldest children, celebrated another milestone for the royal family: the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle.
Mid 2018-2020: A Sussex storm
William, Kate, Harry and Meghan were initially dubbed the “Fab Four,” but reports of a rift between the Cambridges and the Sussexes began swirling in 2018 when it was reported that Meghan had made Kate cry over alleged demands about Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress.
In March 2021, however, Meghan told Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview that “the reverse happened,” claiming Kate had made her cry.
“There wasn’t a confrontation,” Meghan said, adding, “I don’t think it’s fair to her to get into the details because she apologized, and I’ve forgiven her.”
Harry and Meghan kicked off 2020 in stunning fashion, announcing they would be stepping away from royal duties — which sent shock waves through William and Kate’s world.
Two months after the stunning announcement, the Sussexes joined the royals for Commonwealth Day services at Westminster Abbey, where all eyes were on the couple as they appeared to receive a frosty reception from William and Kate.
Much like Kate and Meghan, William’s relationship with Harry is rumored to have been rocky in recent years, with Harry noting the strain during his and Meghan’s Winfrey tell-all.
In the wake of the Sussexes’ departure, William and Kate continued to carry out royal duties virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In December 2020, the Cambridges reunited with the Queen and other members of the family at Windsor Castle in a socially distanced get-together amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cambridge family also made a pre-holiday appearance in London that month.
2021: Playing ‘peacemaker’
The royal family came together in April 2021 after the death of Prince Philip at the age of 99. Ahead of the service, reports emerged that Kate would act as a “peacemaker” between William and Harry.
During the funeral, which took place at Windsor Castle, Kate and William were seen chatting with Harry, who returned to the UK solo as a pregnant Meghan remained in the US on doctors’ orders.
As the trio walked about outdoors, William and Harry were seen together as Kate stayed a few paces behind.
2021: Celebrating 10 years of marriage
To celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on April 29, 2021, William and Kate released a series of new portraits. Taken at Kensington Palace by photographer Chris Floyd, the duo sported blue hues as they embraced one another in the loving shots.
2024: In sickness and in health
The Princess of Wales leaned on her husband for support when she was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024.
“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too,” she said when she announced the diagnosis in March. “As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”
The pair worked together to delicately explain Kate’s health condition to their young children and kept the diagnosis private until the youngsters could “understand and process the news.”
