The Prince and Princess of Wales are among the most famous couples in the world. Having been together for many years, they are also proud parents to three wonderful children.
William and Kate’s journey began when they both enrolled at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Initially, they were just friends, living in the same flat with other students, and their relationship slowly developed from there.
Reflecting on their first meeting, Kate once confessed, “I actually went bright red when I met you and scuttled off feeling very shy about meeting you.”
She also mentioned, “William wasn’t there for quite a bit of the time initially, he wasn’t there from Fresher’s Week, so it did take a bit of time for us to get to know each other.”
In the documentary The Day Will and Kate Got Married, which aired in April 2021, it was revealed that Prince William and Kate initially started off as just good friends, but everything changed one night. During a student fashion show, Kate wore a sheer dress that caught the Prince’s eye, and from that moment on, their relationship took a new turn.
As Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, Katie Nicholl, explained in the documentary: “A switch had been flicked, he suddenly saw her in a different light, and I really believe that was the turning point in their relationship.”
According to The Telegraph, Prince William himself said: “We were friends for over a year first and it just sort of blossomed from then on. We just spent more time with each other and had a good giggle, and realized we shared the same interests.”
Their bond grew stronger and attracted significant media attention. Kate even made her first public appearance with the Royals, attending the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy, where William was present, accompanied by her family.
And as everyone believed a royal marriage was just around the corner, the two split in 2007
When reflecting on their breakup, both Kate and William admitted that it actually benefited them, giving them the opportunity to “find themselves.” Kate even shared that “you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you’re younger,” according to The Telegraph.
The couple reunited in 2008, and in 2010, during a trip to Kenya, William proposed to Kate using his late mother’s engagement ring.
Their wedding seemed like something out of a fairytale, but reportedly, there were a few aspects of their big day that didn’t sit well with William.
While the future Duchess wowed everyone in a breathtaking Alexander McQueen wedding dress, William’s attire was revealed ahead of the ceremony by the Palace.
“Prince William has chosen to wear the uniform of Colonel of the Irish Guards on his wedding day. Having been commissioned in all three Armed Services, and with active service in the Army (The Household Cavalry Regiment) and the Royal Air Force (Search and Rescue Force), Prince William decided to wear the uniform representing his senior honorary appointment in the Army.”
“For the occasion, Prince William will wear the Irish Guards Mounted Officer’s uniform in Guard of Honour Order, paired with a Forage Cap. The uniform will feature a gold and crimson sash and gold sword slings, both of which are traditionally worn in the presence of a Royal Family member. The Prince will not carry a sword, but he will wear the Garter Sash adorned with the Wings of the Royal Air Force, the Garter Star, and the Golden Jubilee Medal.”
The statement continued: “The tunic, in Guards’ Red, showcases the Irish Guards’ distinctive button arrangement, with four buttons grouped together. Each button displays the Harp of Ireland, crowned with the Crown Imperial. This button arrangement represents the Irish Guards’ place in the Order of Battle as the Fourth Regiment of Foot Guards.”
“On the Forage Cap, the Irish Guards’ insignia is the eight-pointed Star of the Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick, along with the regiment’s motto ‘Quis Separabit?’ (‘Who shall separate us?’).”
William proudly wore his uniform, but reports suggest he had a different outfit in mind. However, his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, didn’t grant his request.
Royal expert Roya Nikkhah revealed in the BBC documentary Royal Wedding: A Day to Remember that the young prince had hoped to wear his Household Cavalry military uniform. But instead, the Queen insisted that he wear his Irish Guards uniform.
“The military is everything to William and to Harry. The Queen said, ‘No, you’re wearing your Irish Guards. You are the new Colonel of the Irish Guards.’ That’s the one thing he didn’t get his way on, and he deferred to Granny,” Nikkhah explained.
Harry later confirmed this in his memoir Spare, where he wrote: “He’d asked Granny if he could wear his Household Cavalry kit and she’d turned him down. As the Heir, he must wear the Number One Ceremonial, she decreed.”
Harry shared, “Willy was upset about having so little control over what he wore for his wedding, feeling like his independence was taken away on such an important day. He mentioned several times how frustrated he felt.”
“I tried to reassure him, telling him he looked great in the Harp of Ireland, with the Crown Imperial and the forage cap with the regimental motto: ‘Quis Separabit? Who shall separate us?’ But it didn’t seem to make much of a difference.”
Apparently, when discussing his wedding outfit, William told journalist Robert Hardman, “You just do as you’re told!”
This “issue” wasn’t the only thing weighing on William’s mind.
He also expressed worries about the guest list, which featured a mix of celebrities, royalty, and old friends from his and Kate’s university years. However, the majority of the names on that list were unfamiliar to William.
“When the guest list was put together, [William] was quite confused and spoke to the Queen, saying, ‘I don’t know any of these people.’ He wasn’t too happy about it. The Queen simply told him to tear up the list and start fresh, inviting whoever he wanted—and that’s exactly what they did,” Nikkhah shared.
The wedding was a joyful occasion for the guests. One attendee, the landlord of The Old Boot Inn, the local pub frequented by the Middleton family in their hometown, said, “It was wonderful that Kate and William were allowed to invite all their own friends. Friends from the village, university, and even childhood. She invited me, I’ve known her for about 15 years. It was fantastic.”
In his book Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography, Robert Jobson wrote that the wedding was unforgettable, especially when You’re the One That I Want from Grease began to play. The newlyweds took to the dance floor and danced with all their energy.
The wedding of William and Kate remains one of the most lavish and memorable events.
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