Prince William and Kate Middleton are one of the most beloved royal couples in history.
Prior to becoming the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and later, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the pair had built a strong foundation as friends while they were students at St. Andrews University. “When I first met Kate, I knew there was something very special about her, and then I knew there was possibly something I wanted to explore there, but we ended up being friends for a while,” Prince William explained during the couple’s now-famous 2010 engagement interview with Tom Bradby of ITV News.
As it turned out, it was the strong bond they formed as friends that made their union so solid. “That was a good sort of foundation,” William said. “I do genuinely believe now that being friends with [each other] is a massive advantage.”
Though the pair dated for much of their college careers, they took a break following graduation for some self-exploration. “I at the time wasn’t very happy about it, but actually it made me a stronger person,” Kate said in the couple’s engagement interview. “You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realized — I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you’re younger — and I really valued that time for me, as well.”
They didn’t stay apart for long, however, reuniting in the summer of 2007 with a series of secret dates. Three years later, they announced their engagement to the world, and by 2011, they had officially tied the knot with a fairy tale ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.
2001: Kate Middleton and Prince William meet at college
Kate and William first laid eyes on each other while studying at St. Andrews University. According to Kate, it took some time for the two to get to know each other, in part due to her bashfulness. “I think you said I actually went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off,” she recounted to Prince William during their 2010 engagement interview. “[I was] feeling very shy about meeting you.”
April 1, 2004: Kate Middleton and Prince William’s relationship goes public
After roughly a year of keeping their relationship under wraps, pictures of Kate and William looking extra-cozy on the slopes at Klosters Ski Resort in Switzerland were published by The Sun on April 1, 2004. A friend of the pair’s confirmed to PEOPLE at the time that their romance had “been going on for a bit. She is his girlfriend,” the pal added.
June 9, 2007: Kate Middleton and Prince William get back together
Two months after the pair made headlines with their split, reports surfaced that the prince had reconnected with his former flame at a party at his army barracks in Bovington, Dorset, during which they reportedly shared a passionate kiss. She was also said to be invited to a memorial concert for his mother at Wembley Stadium the following week.
October 20, 2010: Prince William proposes to Kate Middleton
Prince William popped the question in a cabin hut roughly 11,000 feet above sea level on the side of Mount Kenya in Africa. The prince shared details from the special moment with Tom Bradby in his engagement interview in November 2010.
November 16, 2010: Kate Middleton and Prince William announce their engagement
PEOPLE reported that Kate and Wlliam were to be wed in mid-November 2010, with the official statement reading: “The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton. The wedding will take place in the Spring or Summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.”
April 29, 2011: Kate Middleton and Prince William get new royal titles
Just ahead of their nuptials, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed Dukedom on her grandson and Duchessdom on her granddaughter-in-law as announced by the palace on their wedding day.
April 29, 2011: Kate Middleton and Prince William get married
The couple’s much-anticipated nuptials took place on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey in London. At the time, PEOPLE hailed it as the “greatest and grandest royal affair” since Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1981 wedding.
April 29, 2012: Kate Middleton and Prince William celebrate their one-year anniversary
On their paper anniversary, the pair awoke in a romantic 12th century inn called the Westleton Crown, where they were staying for a wedding of Kate’s old schoolmate. After having breakfast with the inn’s other guests, “They left after breakfast to get on with the rest of their anniversary,” a source told PEOPLE.
August 2, 2012: Kate Middleton and Prince William attend the Olympic Games
Not only were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on hand to cheer on the Queen’s oldest granddaughter, Zara Philips, they got caught up in the excitement of the crowd, joining in on the wave.
July 22, 2013: Kate Middleton and Prince William welcome their first child
Prince George Alexander Louis, more formerly known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, was born at 4:24 p.m. on July 22, 2013 following a natural, 14-hour delivery.
September 8, 2014: Kate Middleton and Prince William announce that they’re expecting their second child
The twosome had more exciting news to share with the world on September 8, 2014: Prince George would soon become a big brother.
May 2, 2015: Kate Middleton and Prince William welcome their first daughter
On May 2, 2015, the couple’s family grew by one with the addition of a baby girl. “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34 a.m.,” the palace announced via Twitter.
February 12, 2017: Kate Middleton and Prince William make their BAFTAs red carpet couples’ debut
Prince William presented a BAFTA Fellowship award to Mel Brooks at the 2017 British Academy Film Awards. Kate walked the red carpet alongside her husband at the event in an off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen tiered floral gown.
April 23, 2018: Kate Middleton and Prince William welcome their third child
The family of four became a family of five on April 23, 2018. “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs,” a statement announcing the birth of Kate and William’s third child — the fifth in the line of succession — read. “The baby weighs 8 pounds 7 ounces. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.”
April 2020: Kate Middleton and Prince William give a rare joint interview
With the royals feeling the restraints of COVID-19, the duke and duchess gave a rare joint interview via video call to the BBC in April 2020, during which they talked about homeschooling their children throughout the pandemic.
April 29, 2021: Kate Middleton and Prince William celebrate their 10-year anniversary
For their tin anniversary, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared two new portraits by photographer Chris Floyd that showcased them cuddled up and laughing at their home of Kensington Palace.
Sept 28, 2021: Kate Middleton and Prince William attend the No Time to Die premiere in London
The royal couple posed for photos alongside William’s father, Prince Charles, and his stepmother, Camilla Parker Bowles, as guests of honor at the London premiere of Daniel Craig‘s No Time to Die. Kate wore a stunning gold sequin Jenny Packham capelet gown for the affair, while William looked dapper in a velvet tux jacket and Arthur Sleep black cashmere slippers. Craig was in attendance for the event, along with several of his costars, including Rami Malek and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, plus theme song performer Billie Eilish.
May 19, 2022: Kate Middleton and Prince William attend the premiere of Top Gun
The duo stepped out on the red carpet for the U.K. premiere of Top Gun in May 2022. The Duchess of Cambridge stunned in a black-and-white Roland Mouret gown, which showed off her shoulders. William, meanwhile, opted for a classic tux and Crockett & Jones loafers embroidered with F18 planes. The couple was accompanied by the film’s star, Tom Cruise, who previously invited them to a special screening of the film after learning that William was a fan of the 1986 original.
June 23, 2022: Kate Middleton and Prince William release their first official joint portrait
On June 23, the couple stopped by the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum where they viewed their first official joint portrait as it was revealed to the public for the first time.
September 27, 2022: Prince William and Kate Middleton travel to Wales for the first time since becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales
Middleton and Prince William visited Wales to honor some important causes, including a lifeboat station which has received 70 awards for gallantry. The outing marked the first time the royal couple have been in the country since receiving their new titles.
February 19, 2023: Kate Middleton playfully pats Prince William’s butt at 76th EE BAFTA Film Awards
The royal couple confirmed that they are still smitten with each other after Middleton gave her husband a sweet love tap on his backside while walking the BAFTAs red carpet.
May 6, 2023: Kate Middleton and Prince William attend King Charles’ coronation
The Prince and Princess of Wales supported King Charles and Queen Camilla at their historic crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London along with their children. The couple both wore formal robes and mantels for the occasion, with Prince William donning the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards and Middleton wearing a dress by Alexander McQueen.
July 6, 2023: Prince William and Kate Middleton share a rare moment of PDA at the Royal Charity Polo Day
Prince William’s team, the U.S. Polo Association, took home a victory at the Royal Charity Polo Day. Middleton happily congratulated her husband with an embrace and a kiss on each cheek.
