Royals

How one little question sparked 11 years of fairytale moments for Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

We're so glad she said "yes"!
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Their love story is something straight out of a fairytale, so it’s no surprise that Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge continue to be one of our favourite famous couples.

And what a journey their romance has been! More than 10 years ago, a Prince married his Princess and it was the stuff of dreams.

After meeting a young Kate Middleton at St Andrew’s University back in 2001, the pair became fast friends before starting a romantic relationship two years later.

Though the duo had their ups and downs – and even a brief split – nothing could stop their love and William knew he had found The One.

In 2010, a besotted William popped the question on a trip to Kenya, presenting Kate with his late mother’s engagement ring. Naturally, Kate said yes!

A year later in April 2011 they both said “I do” in a lavish wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey, and in the decade since they’ve travelled all over the globe while working tirelessly on issues like mental health, child bereavement and equality.

But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s biggest adventure was when they welcomed their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

And to think it all started with one little question from William so many years ago.

Keep scrolling to relive all their fairytale moments in the 11 years since William popped the question…

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01

The college sweethearts fell in love during their time at St Andrew’s Univerity together and William decided to propose in October 2010 after years together. Their happy news was announced to the world on November 16, 2010.

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02

The charming prince proposed to his duchess with his mother’s iconic wedding ring.

William said of his proposal: “We had a little private time away together with some friends and I just decided that it was the right time really. We had been talking about marriage for a while so it wasn’t a massively big surprise. I took her up somewhere nice in Kenya and I proposed.”

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03

Featuring a huge sapphire in its centre and surrounded by diamonds, Princess Diana originally chose the ring out of a catalgoue.

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04

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05

What an iconic moment: The new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge share a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace shortly after their 2011 royal wedding.

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06

“It was very romantic. There’s a true romantic in there,” Catherine quipped about her man after they tied the knot. Though they’re generally reserved in public, the pair have been known to put on a bit of PDA.

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07

One year after their spectacular wedding, the royal couple attended the London Olympics and showed off their affection for one another.

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08

Even in a busy crowd, Kate only has eyes for William.

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09

“We obviously met at university – at St Andrews we were friends for over a year first and it just sort of blossomed from then on,” Will once mused of his romance with Catherine.

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10

William once said: “When I first met Kate I knew there was something very special about her. I knew there was possibly something that I wanted to explore there.”

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11

Though the pair split for a short time before they wed, Kate looks back on it positively: “I think at the time I wasn’t very happy about it, but actually it made me a stronger person.”

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12

Since then, William has been just as much of a support to his wife, now 39, as she has been to him. Ever the gentleman, here he helps her balance at a rainy event.

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14

During a royal tour to Paris, an intimate moment between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was caught on camera in this stunning snap.

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15

“We did become very close friends from quite early on,” Kate said of their early days, and that strong bond is still at the heart of their romance.

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16

The world rejoiced when Will and Kate welcomed Prince George Alexander Louis on July 22, 2013. But Kate only had eyes for new dad William.

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17

The pair were completely smitten during one of Catherine’s final appearances before she gave birth to little Charlotte a few years later.

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18

“I’m a lot more emotional than I used to be, weirdly,” Wills admitted after welcoming his second child with Kate, Princess Charlotte, in 2015.

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19

“It’s very emotional. It’s such a special time. I think any parent will know what this feeling feels like,” Catherine said about the joy of being a mother.

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20

In April 2018, the couple welcomed their youngest child, Louis Arthur Charles and the proud parents couldn’t have looked happier.

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21

Even when they’re not packing on the PDA, the connection between this glamorous royal duo is obvious.

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22

Celebrity, royals, lifestyle, travel and more.

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23

The pair are often snapped sharing a private laugh at royal events, William once admitting: “She’s got a really naughty sense of humour, which kind of helps me because I’ve got a really dry sense of humour.”

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24

Even after years of marriage, this husband and wife duo still know how to crack each other up.

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25

These days the couple balance their royal duties and married life with raising their three young children.

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26

Despite being royals, the duo have tried to make life as “normal” for their kids as possible.

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27

Even with three little ones, the pair still find time for each other – even if it is at glamorous royal events!

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28

In 2021 they marked 10 incredible years of marriage, celebrating the monumental milestone with these incredible new portraits.

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29

Even after a decade of marriage, the couple look as smitten as ever!

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31

In fact, they’ve only looked MORE in love since their 10th wedding anniversary – just look at this snap from an event in October 2021.

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32

Even in a crowded room, this pair only have eyes for each other.

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33

Still kids at heart, the Cambridges shared a laugh in the mud during a down-to-earth engagement in Glasgow.

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34

But they looked like Hollywood royalty straight out of a big-budget film at a movie premiere in London in 2021.

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Their fairytale royal romance is so clear when the couple attend glamorous events together, dressed up to the nines and with eyes only for each other.

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37

Here’s to many more years of affectionate touches and loving looks from this royal fairytale pair.

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38

This sweet glance was captured at The Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel. The royals’ complemented each other in blue perfectly as they smiled sweetly at one another.

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39

Royal Ascot came with many smiles for William and Catherine as they watched the races, or rather each other.

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