In the last few years the British royal family has seen an enormous amount of change but the one constant has been the loving relationship between Prince William and wife Kate.
While it might look like the couple have had a fairytale romance, they’ve also endured plenty of ups and downs since they met while at at uni.
But their challenges have only made the Prince and Princess of Wales stronger as they have stood by and supported each other.
From their start as student sweethearts, to their sweet family life and their roles as monarchs in the making, read on to learn all about William and Kate’s enduring relationship and their lives together…
What do you want to know?
How did Prince William and Kate Middleton meet?
The pair met while students at the University of St Andrews in 2001.
The learning establishment has turned out to be lucky for the royals after Lady Louise Windsor also met her Aussie beau there.
“Well, I actually think I went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off, feeling very shy about meeting you,” Kate admitted in an interview for their engagement.
With Kate dating a fellow student, a firm friendship was formed at first.
When they returned for their second year, the pair got along so well they moved into a student house along with two other friends from their uni.
Kate really caught William’s eye though after she modelled in a see-through dress at a charity fashion show in March 2002.
When Kate split up with her boyfriend at the end of 2003, things kicked off.
“It just sort of blossomed from then on,” William said. “We just spent more time with each other, had a good giggle, had lots of fun and realised we shared the same interests and just had a really good time.”
Their relationship became public knowledge when they were snapped on a skiing trip at Swiss resort Klosters in 2004.
Why did William and Kate split?
Just like all good fairytales, even William and Kate had a few obstacles on the road to happily ever after.
After graduating, the couple found themselves on different paths as Kate took a job as an accessories buyer in London and William completed military training.
In April 2007, it was confirmed through a mutual friend that the promising pair had “amicably” split.
Sources revealed at the time that media pressure on Kate played a role in their break-up, as well as William’s unwillingness to tie the knot at such a young age.
Within months rumours swirled that a reconciliation was on the cards as Kate attended the July 2007 memorial concert for Princess Diana, sitting a few rows behind the prince.
Indeed, they were back together, but would keep it to themselves for a few months to enjoy the moment.
“We were both very young …we were both defining ourselves as such and being different characters. It was very much trying to find our way and we were growing up, it was just a bit of space – things worked out for the better,” William said of the time.
How did Prince William propose to Kate?
After carrying around a ring in his backpack for three weeks, William finally found the perfect place to propose.
The prince got down on bended knee and popped the question to Kate at a rustic log cabin near the foothills of Mount Kenya during an African holiday in October 2010.
After presenting her with his mother, Princess Diana’s, iconic sapphire and diamond ring, Kate said yes.
“It’s very special to me, as Kate is very special to me now as well. It was only right the two were put together,” William explained of his decision to use the family heirloom.
“It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement and the fact that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”
When did Prince William and Kate marry?
A mere five months after announcing their joyful news, the couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
Thousands of well-wishers lined London streets to catch a glimpse of the bride as she made her way from The Goring Hotel to the church in a Rolls-Royce, while another two billion from across the world watched on TV.
The bride looked resplendent in her custom-made lace gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Cartier “halo” tiara.
“You look lovely, you look beautiful,” William gushed to the soon-to-be princess as Kate joined him at the altar.
After the ceremony, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the newlyweds made their way to Buckingham Palace in an open carriage through streets lined with cheering crowds.
The pair became known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the titles were bestowed by the now-late Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day.
“Let’s give them another one,” William said to his bride as he leaned in for another kiss on the palace balcony as the public called for more.
There were two receptions – the first, a lunch hosted by Queen Elizabeth for 650 guests, and a second evening gathering for 300 hosted by the groom’s father, the then-Prince Charles.
Kate emerged from Buckingham Palace the next day to catch a helicopter with her husband to head for a weekend away.
Making headlines for her ‘relatability,’ Kate opted for a pleated blue dress from Zara for the occasion.
How old are William and Kate’s kids?
The Prince and Princess of Wales have three children- Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and 7-year-old Prince Louis.
The palace announced that the pair were expecting their first child on December 3, 2012.
The news was shared quite early in the pregnancy as Kate had been hospitalised for treatment after being diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness).
Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, at St Mary’s Hospital in London.
Hours afterwards, the proud new parent posed in the exact same spot that then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana, did on the day their first son was born.
“Because it had been so bad with pregnancy, I really quite liked labour,” Kate told the Happy Baby podcast in 2020.
Princess Charlotte arrived on May 2, 2015.
“It’s fantastic having a little family and I am thrilled,” William said in July that year.
The birth of Prince Louis, on April 23, 2018, completed their brood.
Where do Prince William and Kate live?
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge moved their young family to a new home in Windsor just weeks before the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Their relocation was believed to be so they could spend more time with his grandmother and to private their kids with more privacy.
The move also brought them closer to Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who are just a 45-minute car drive away in Bucklebury.
George, Charlotte and Louis all currently attend Lambrook School.
Adelaide Cottage is just a four-bedroom cottage, meaning that the Wales family have no live-in staff.
William and Kate also maintain apartments in Kensington Palace which they use while in London.
The family also have a third property in Norfolk.
Anmer Hall is on the Sandringham Estate where the royal family spends Christmas.
The family lived there full-time from 2015 to 2017, however, they now frequently visit while the kids are on school holidays.
The family will also be moving to a larger residence in WIndsor later this year.
Forest Lodge is expected to become their “forever home” before Christmas 2025.
What type of cancer was Kate diagnosed with?
There is no doubt that 2024 was a rough ride for Prince William and wife Kate, but it only seems to have made their relationship even stronger.
The Prince and Princess of Wales took a step back from the public eye in 2024 to focus on her health, after the princess was diagnosed with an undisclosed form in cancer following abdominal surgery.
“It’s been dreadful,” Prince William confirmed while in South Africa for the Earthshot Awards in November. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
Given time to focus on his wife and trying to keep things as “normal” as possible for their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and 6-year-old Prince Louis, William was often seen doing the school run at their home in Windsor and attending the kids’ sports games.
He was even reported to have taken on most of the cooking and cleaning duties.
“Kate thinks that’s been very cute and sweet,” a source told US Weekly. “They love being together all the time.”
In a sign of better things to come, the princess announced in early September that she had finished chemo.
Kate has been making a gradual return to duties since then, but is still taking things “one day at a time” and remains focused on putting her family first.
What type of King and Queen will William and Kate make?
Thanks to his King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, William’s time on the throne may come much quicker than anyone expected.
To prepare, he and Kate have been taken on more duties that see them stepping out on an international platform.
The couple have played a key role in several state visits to the UK in 2025, greeting the foreign head of state upon arrival and entertaining the guest of honour at the banquet dinner.
While appearing on The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy, in October 2025, the prince opened up like never before and revealed he was keen to do monarchy his way when the time came.
“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda,” William said.
“Change for good. And I embrace that and I enjoy that change. I don’t fear it.
“That’s the bit that excites me. The idea of being able to bring some change. Not overly radical change but changes that I think need to happen.”
Of course, when his time to reign comes, William won’t be doing it alone.
“[Kate] is a huge asset,” royal biographer Valentine Low told WHO.
“She has a strong sense of duty – looks great, which is part of the job, and she does a great job at keeping William grounded.”
