Prince William and Kate Middleton's Relationship Timeline
The world watched in awe as Prince William and Princess Katewed at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011, and years later, commoners still stand impressed with the couple. Though they didn't tie the knot until 2011, Kate and William first met 10 years prior while studying history at Scotland's University of St Andrews. The two would go on to keep quiet about their romance as they completed their education, but later had a high-profile split in 2007.
"At the time I wasn't very happy about it, but it actually made me a stronger person," Kate shared during a joint interview with William in November 2010. "You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn't realized. I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you are younger, and I really valued that time for me as well although I didn't think it at the time."
The pair reconciled the following year, and announced their engagement in November 2010. They are now proud parents of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Scroll down to take a look back at William and Kate's royal romance:
September 2001
The two began dating after meeting at the University of St Andrews. Years later, William admitted during an interview with BBC's Tom Bradby that he attempted to impress his then-girlfriend by making "amazing fancy dinners."
October 2010
Shortly after news of their engagement broke, William and Kate did their first-ever joint video interview. "It was about three weeks ago on holiday in Kenya. We had a little private time away together with some friends and I just decided that it was the right time really," William revealed of how he popped the question. "We had been talking about marriage for a while so it wasn't a massively big surprise."
April 2011
Just married! Kate stunned in a long-sleeve, Alexander McQueen wedding gown for the nuptials, while William wore a red Irish Guards Mounted Officer's uniform.
July 2013
It's a boy! The duo welcomed their first child, Prince George, on July 22. "Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," Kensington Palace said in a statement at the time.
May 2015
Princess Charlotte makes her debut! Kate gave birth to the couple's daughter on May 2, and the proud parents showed off their baby girl outside of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital in London, with William in a blue sweater and the doting mom in a white and yellow Jenny Packham dress.
July 2017
William and Kate displayed a rare moment of PDA at the Wimbledon championship when the duchess wiped a speck from her husband's cheek.
April 2018
Baby makes five! Kate and William welcomed their second son, Prince Louis, on April 23.
"We're very happy. We're delighted. Thank you," the prince told the press as he, Kate and the newborn left the hospital hours later. "You'll find out soon enough," William teased of the name at the time. "We didn't keep you waiting too long."
September 2022
The royals viewed floral tributes to the late queen outside Sandringham Estate. They later stood beside their two eldest children, George and Charlotte, during the queen's state funeral.
The couple returned to work with a visit to Wales following Queen Elizabeth II's death and funeral celebration earlier in the month. The trip marked the first time that the duo appeared in the country as the newly dubbed Prince and Princess of Wales.
The twosome kicked off the week on September 27 in Anglesey, which is where William and Kate lived as newlyweds in 2010 and as new parents after the birth of Prince George in 2013. The royals were all smiles as they toured the RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station before jetting off to Swansea to meet with food bank workers and children from the area.
April 2023
During a joint outing in England, William responded to an onlooker who said his wife looked "beautiful" in a dark maroon dress. "Oh she always looks stunning!" he replied in footage uploaded to Twitter.
When the couple celebrated 12 years of marriage later that month, a source exclusively told Us they marked the occasion with heartfelt gifts. William gave his wife "a stunning diamond ring" that once belonged to his late mother, along with "a replica of the bouquet of flowers" Kate held on their wedding day. From his wife, he received "a framed sketch of the two of them from an old photograph" taken in college.
May 2023
William and Kate attended Charles' coronation at Westminster Abbey, where they followed the king and queen's procession into the chapel. The duke and duchess were joined by all three of their children.
October 2023
They may be royalty, but the Prince and Princess of Wales face issues in their relationship just like the rest of the world. "Kate and William have been having ups and downs in their marriage like everyone else," a source exclusively told Us. "But they're focused on their royal duties and doing that as a unit."
March 2024
After questions rose regarding Kate's well-being, she and William were spotted out and about at the Windsor Farm Shop on March 18. Days later, Kate announced that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with a cancer, making it clear that William was by her side.
"Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too, as is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you," she said in the March 22 announcement video. "It means so much to us both. We hope that you'll understand that as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment."
April 2024
William and Kate celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary by releasing a never-before-seen portrait from their big day.
September 2024
Kate highlighted her husband's support as she announced that she completed chemotherapy treatment.
"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted," she said in a statement. "Of simply loving and being loved."
January 2025
William honored Kate in a social media caption when celebrating her 43rd birthday.
"To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you've shown over the last year has been remarkable," he wrote alongside a new photo of the Princess of Wales. "George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W."
September 2025
The couple dressed up for the state dinner to welcome President Donald Trump to the U.K. for his second visit.
October 2025
William and Kate traveled to Ireland's Long Meadow Farm where they had a laugh while peeling apples and making the farm's famous potato apple bread.
April 2026
The couple celebrated their milestone 15th wedding anniversary with a new family photo, including their three kids and the family's dog.
"Celebrating 15 years of marriage," the social media caption read.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 4:53 AM.