Their love story began more than two decades ago as young students on the cobblestoned streets at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
Now, as the Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary, the poignancy of the marital landmark will surely not be lost as the princess continues her treatment for cancer. It will also be a day to look back on how far they have come as a couple, what they have achieved together and the way they have navigated the ups and downs any long partnership will inevitably face.
There have been many blissfully happy times, of course – growing older together and adapting to their ever-changing royal roles, all while expanding their family with the births of Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, six. But it hasn’t all been plain sailing.
From the on-going speculation about the couple’s relationship with the Sussexes to the King’s health worries and of course the princess’ abdominal surgery and cancer diagnosis, their anniversary on 29 April will surely be a day to both celebrate and reflect.
“In a marriage, you are committing yourselves to the long haul and there are inevitably going to be some bad times as well, hopefully, as some wonderful ones,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells OK! “But it is often the difficult times that bind you ever closer together… when you feel like a team, united against the world or whatever adversity is facing you.
"I’m sure that Kate’s cancer will have focused both their minds on their deep love for one another, the family they have created and the fragility of life. I think they will cherish one another even more when they get through this.”
The couple’s fairy-tale wedding took place at Westminster Abbey in 2011 and was watched by an estimated global audience of 17.6 million people. The years that have followed have been marked with hard work as well as joy as the couple have thrown their support behind causes which are dear to their hearts – from mental health to the plight of the homeless and the importance of early years development.
Indeed, the Prince of Wales returned to official duties recently for the first time since Kate’s cancer diagnosis was made public. He visited organisations in Surrey and West London to spotlight the community and environmental impact of their work – a move Jennie describes as a “cautious start”.
“It was close to home and close to issues that matter deeply to him: community and the environment,” she tells OK!. “William chose the day after the children go back to school to get back to work himself. That’s sensible; settle the kids in and then concentrate on official duties.”
But his mind was clearly never far from his wife. When a volunteer at food distribution charity Surplus to Supper in Surrey asked William to “take care of Kate” he placed his hand on her shoulder and promised “I will”.
Jennie predicts the couple’s anniversary will be a quiet and relaxed affair. “It’s a school day, so I expect their day will, as usual, revolve around their children. So much depends on how Kate is feeling at that stage of her treatment and so I can’t imagine William will be making any elaborate plans. Perhaps a special dinner at home, perhaps a walk or even a bike ride if she’s feeling well enough.
"I think just being together quietly, with Kate hopefully feeling she is on the road to full recovery, will be celebration enough for them – but perhaps William will buy her something with lace to mark the traditional anniversary year.”
The princess would be forgiven for looking back on the joy of her wedding day and longing for those happy times to return. “I think she is quite a positive person, and she will also be aware that a positive outlook is said to be one of the best medicines when you are fighting cancer,” Jennie says.
“She wouldn’t be human if she didn’t reflect on how cruel life can sometimes be, no matter who you are. But I think she’s the type of person who will consciously focus on her blessings… her happy marriage, her strong support network, and a future hopefully free of cancer.”
Something that undoubtedly proves the couple’s love as well as mutual respect is William’s decision to drop everything to be at his wife’s side throughout her recovery from surgery.
While the royal family has moved with the times compared to previous generations, where matches were made as a matter of aristocratic suitability, it is clear that the Wales' partnership goes well beyond those strictures. They have also been granted an additional level of privacy to bloom and grow together without the looming weight of the crown or royal responsibilities.
“Diana always surprised me by talking about what ‘a great team’ she and Charles would have made even after they were separated,” Jennie reflects. “She told me that sometimes she still clung to the hope that anything could be mended, even though she recognised the strength of Charles’ love for Camilla.
“I think she so desperately wanted a happy and stable marriage – particularly given the trauma of her own parents’ divorce. And, in a way, history has repeated itself in that William (and Harry too) are utterly committed to establishing and maintaining a strong marriage. They know exactly how it feels to be part of a family that is breaking down and I think they will move heaven and earth to stop that happening to their own children.
“William has proved that he is willing to drop everything to support Kate, even if he then gets negative publicity. She is more important to him than anything, even his own reputation. He promised her parents that he would look after her… and he is being absolutely true to his word. I applaud him for it.”
As they continue to face one of their most difficult challenges to date, the couple has relied on members of their tight-knit inner circle to support them – with doting grandmother Carole Middleton dropping everything to stay with the family at Anmer Hall in Norfolk during the Easter holidays.
“Carole has been a real rock through all of this,” a source told OK!. “She’s really stepped in to support the family and help look after the children up in Norfolk and will continue to do so wherever the family is.”
The return of the prince to the public spotlight is a milestone, however. William first visited Surplus to Supper, a food redistribution charity, where he saw how surplus food from across the local area is delivered, sorted and re-packaged for delivery to small community organisations.
The prince then visited Hanworth Centre Hub, a youth centre in West London which receives regular deliveries from the charity, and spoke to young people to learn how they are benefitting from this.
“These past three weeks will have been very precious for William, Catherine and their family,” explains Jennie. “By announcing that she is undergoing treatment for cancer, the princess claimed something that should have been hers from the start: the right to recover from surgery and deal with cancer in private.
"I hope it has given them the breathing space they must have so badly needed. Time to be a family together, enjoy the simple things of life – country walks, snuggles in front of the TV, and going to football – without the constant noise of where are they and what’s the matter?
“Catherine will be feeling vulnerable and must have loved having this family time, with her parents also staying at Anmer Hall. I have no doubt that Carole and Mike will be on hand as much as ever to help Catherine readjust to life with her husband back at work.
“And William will undoubtedly take things one step at a time, only increasing his workload when his wife and his children are ready for him to do so.”
