The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate Middleton, are among the world’s most admired couples. Their relationship blossomed from friendship while they were both students at the University of St. Andrews. Kate has recalled their first meeting, describing it as awkward—she “flushed bright crimson and ran away.”
Although they started as friends, their connection grew stronger after Kate caught William’s attention during a fashion show. Royal correspondent Katie Nicholl noted that “a switch had been flicked,” signaling a new phase in their relationship. William reflected, “We were friends for over a year… we just spent more time together.”
In 2007, the couple briefly separated, a period they later said helped them “find themselves.” During the split, Kate was reportedly upset with William’s partying, feeling it was “cheapening her image.” After some harsh exchanges, they reconciled in 2008.
William proposed in 2010, and they married the following year in 2011. Now, after more than a decade of marriage, their love remains as strong as ever.