The Prince and Princess of Wales announced their engagement on this day 13 years ago – November 16, 2010.
After eight years of dating – and endless engagement speculation – the couple finally announced their plans to wed.
The royal couple, who first met in 2001, went on to marry in a stunning ceremony in April 2011 – a beautiful occasion that was watched by millions around the globe.
Now 12 years into marriage bliss, and three children later, Kate and William appear stronger and more in love than ever.
Here familynews.com looks back at William and Kate’s timeline, starting at the very place that it all began – Scotland.
University days
William famously met Kate at the University of St Andrews, where they both chose to study.
The pair were originally studying the same course – Art History – although William later changed to Geography.
During their second year at university, the pair lived together in a home with a few other friends. In their official engagement interview, William said that the university is where their relationship “blossomed”, although their relationship was kept out of the spotlight for a number of years.
It soon became public knowledge that William and Kate were more than friends when she joined him on a family skiing trip in Klosters.
Kate and William first met in 2001 at the University of St Andrews (Image: GETTY)
Post-university life and their 2007 split
With their relationship out in the open, Kate made a few more public appearances with her royal boyfriend.
Kate famously attended Wiliam’s passing out parade at Sandhurst in 2006, also taking along her parents Carole and Michael Middleton.
In 2007, reports began circulating that the couple had split, which turned out to be true.
Although this led us to believe all hopes were dashed of Kate becoming the future Queen, their split proved only temporary.
In their 2010 engagement interview, the pair reflected on their brief break up, with Kate stating that although she wasn’t happy about it, it made her “a stronger person”.
She went on to add: “You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realised. I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you are younger, and I really valued that time for me as well although I didn’t think it at the time.”
William added: “Things worked out in the end.”
Prince William and Kate split for a short while in 2007 (Image: PA)
They’re engaged!
Royal fans were delighted when it was first announced that Prince William had proposed to Kate.
It was officially announced on November 16, 2010 with a statement from the now-King Charles: “The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton.
“The wedding will take place in the Spring or Summer of 2011, in London. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course.”
The proposal happened whilst the couple were holidaying in Kenya, with William getting down on one knee to his future wife.
Kate showed off her iconic Sapphire engagement ring, one that once belonged to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, at the engagement photocall.
William and Kate took part in an engagement interview (Image: ITV/PA Archive/PA Images)
A royal wedding
Prince William and Catherine Middleton got married at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
Millions of royal fans across the world got to witness the latest royal wedding from the comfort of their own homes, as the wedding was broadcast on television.
Kate wore a beautiful custom-made gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton assisted her on the big day, while Prince Harry acted as William’s best man.
Following the wedding, the happy couple made their way to Buckingham Palace where they waved to adoring awaiting crowds, even opting to take on the traditional post-wedding kiss on the balcony.
