A Modern Tale of Royal Love
The world watched in awe as Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, were married at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. Years later, commoners are still quite impressed with the couple. From their royal engagements to their three beautiful kids, let’s take a very brief look at the history of their relationship. Though they didn’t tie the knot until 2011, Kate and William first met 10 years prior, while studying history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The two kept quiet about their romance as they completed their education.
About the brief period when they split up, they both have said: “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 taken by a relationship when you are younger and I really valued that period of my life for me as well – although I didn’t think of it at the time.”
William, for his part, explained the reasoning behind his decision to split from Kate for a short while: “It was very much about trying to find our own way and we were growing up; so it was just a bit of space, and it worked out for the better,” he said at the time.
The pair would reconcile the following year, and they announced their engagement in November 2010. They are now proud parents of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
A Chronicle of the Royal Couple
September 2001 – William and Kate began dating after meeting at the University of St. Andrews. Years later, William admitted during an interview that he attempted to impress his then-girlfriend by making “amazing fancy dinners.”
October 2010 – Shortly after news of their engagement was announced, William and Kate did their first-ever joint video interview and William revealed how he had asked for her hand in marriage: “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.”
April 2011 – Just married! Kate stunned everyone in a long-sleeved, Alexander McQueen bridal gown for the wedding, while William wore a red Irish Guards mounted officer’s uniform.
July 2013 – It’s a boy! The couple welcomed their first child, Prince George, on July 22.
May 2015 – Princess Charlotte makes her appearance! Kate gave birth to the couple’s daughter on May 2.
April 2018 – Kate and William welcomed their second son, Prince Louis, on April 23.
December 2020 – The family of five spent Christmas at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. George, Charlotte and Louis couldn’t wait for Christmas because it’s their favorite time of the year.
April 2021 – William and Kate celebrated a decade of marriage with two picture-perfect portraits and a family video: “Thank you to everyone for the kind messages on our wedding anniversary. We are enormously grateful for the 10 years of support we have received in our lives as a family.”
December 2021 – The royal couple attended the “Together at Christmas” community carol service at London’s Westminster Abbey. Kate wore a red dress and coat, holding hands with her husband as they entered the chapel.
Glossary:
in awe = con stupore
commoner = cittadino comune
tie the knot = sposarsi, fare il grande passo
prior = prima, precedente
as well = anche, pure
although = sebbene
split = separarsi, dividersi
work out = finire bene, risolversi
date = uscire con qualcuno, vedersi con qualcuno
then-girlfriend = la ragazza di quel tempo
fancy = eleganti
joint = in comune, fatto insieme
ask for (someone’s) hand in marriage = chiedere a qualcuno di sposarsi
long-sleeved = a maniche lunghe
bridal gown = vestito da sposa
Irish Guard mounted officer = ufficiale a cavallo delle guardie irlandesi
welcome a child = dare il benvenuto ad un bambino
make an appearance = presentarsi
cannot wait = non vedere l’ora
decade = decennio
picture-perfect portraits = ritratti perfetti
attend = partecipare a
community = comunale
carol = canto natalizio
community carol service = servizio di beneficenza dei canti natalizi
