Look Back at Prince William and Kate Middleton's First Year of Marriage on Their 15th Wedding Anniversary
Look Back at Prince William and Kate Middleton's First Year of Marriage on Their 15th Wedding Anniversary
Staff AuthorWed, April 29, 2026 at 10:20 AM UTC
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Break out the crystal, Prince William and Kate Middleton are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary!
The royal couple first met while they were both studying at St. Andrews University in Scotland in 2001. They developed a friendship that later turned romantic and were going steady by 2002. After a brief separation in 2007 owing to William's reluctance to commit, the two reconciled, became engaged in 2010 and got married in an awe-inspiring wedding spectacle held at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
Throughout their decades-long love story, the pair have weathered ups and downs. Happily, they welcomed three children together: Princes George and Louis, born in 2013 and 2018, respectively, as well as their daughter, Princess Charlotte who arrived in 2015. They've also stuck together through tougher times, including family rifts, the death of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as well as several family health scares.
In a 2024 interview on The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy, Prince William opened up how he prioritizes their family unit. "I do try and stick to school time tables as best as possible. So, most days we’re in and out of school doing pick-ups and drop offs," he revealed.
“Getting the balance of work and family life right is really important because for me, the most important thing in my life is family, and everything is about the future and about if you don’t start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you’re setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall."
As the Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary, look back at their first year of marriage.
01 of 14
First-Timers Club
Kate Middleton, Prince WilliamCredit: ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty
Following their engagement in October 2010, Prince William and his then-fiancée, Kate Middleton tackled her first royal duty as a team. The couple was pictured mingling with guests at the naming ceremony for the new Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) Atlantic 85 lifeboat "Hereford Endeavour" in February 2011.
02 of 14
Where It All Started
Prince William, Kate MiddletonCredit: ANDREW MILLIGAN/WPA POOL/AFP via Getty
The following day, the couple went back to where it all started, taking a tour of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
03 of 14
Carrying On
Prince William, Kate MiddletonCredit: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty
Just over a month ahead of their "I Dos" the couple was pictured in a playful moment while visiting Greenmount Agricultural College in March 2011.
04 of 14
It's Official!
Prince William and Catherine MiddletonCredit: Anwar Hussein/Getty
Prince William and Kate Middleton were married at Westminster Abbey on April 29. Just ahead of the special day, Queen Elizabeth bestowed Dukedom on her grandson, and Kate Middleton became a duchess.
"The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales," an announcement from Buckingham Palace revealed on their wedding day. "His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus. William thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, and Miss Catherine Middleton on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge."
05 of 14
Newlywed Duties
President Barack Obama, Prince William, Kate Middleton and Michelle ObamaCredit: Charles Dharapak - WPA Pool/Getty
After returning from their honeymoon (which was reportedly in Seychelles) the pair met with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama when they came to the U.K. for a state visit that May.
06 of 14
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Balcony Debut
Prince William, Kate MiddletonCredit: Indigo/Getty
Kate made her Trooping the Colour balcony debut on June 11, 2011. The Duchess of Cambridge kept the bridal theme going in a white coat by Alexander McQueen (who also designed her wedding dress), paired with a black sculptural hat.
07 of 14
On the Road
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Chris Jackson/Getty
The Duke and Duchess embarked on their first tour that July, heading to Canada and the U.S. for 12 days. Above, the cheerful pair are pictured upon arrival at Parliament Hill for a Canada Day celebration on July 1.
08 of 14
Staying Present
Kate MiddletonCredit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
Kate took a moment to stop and smell the flowers while at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
09 of 14
Just Us Two
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Chris Jackson/Getty
The newlyweds were in their own blissful little world as they ditched the formal attire for some cowboy gear at a Government Reception at the BMO Centre in Calgary on July 7.
10 of 14
Back to Business
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Chris Jackson/Getty
Upon their return, the duo got back to family business. They attended their first wedding together as a married couple as William's cousin Zara Phillips married husband Mike Tindall on July 30.
11 of 14
Merry, Merry
The royal familyCredit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
The couple joined the family at the traditional Christmas Day service in Sandringham, their first as the Cambridges.
12 of 14
Soft Touch
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
William was pictured gently ushering his new bride out of St. Mary Magdalene Church as they made their way through the crowd.
13 of 14
For the Arts
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were picture-perfect at the U.K. premiere of War Horse at the Odeon Leicester Square in January 2012.
14 of 14
Under My Umbrella
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
A few days shy of their first anniversary, the happy couple was seen chatting on the red carpet as they arrived for the U.K. premiere of African Cats in aid of Tusk Trust at BFI Southbank on April 25, 2012.
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