Expensive: From student sweethearts to family of five: Inside Prince William and Kate’s relationship after the “toughest year” of their lives….See More

There is no doubt that 2024 has been rough on Prince William and wife Kate, but it seems to have made their relationship even stronger.

The Prince and Princess of Wales took a step back from the public eye in 2024 to focus on her battle with cancer.

“It’s been dreadful,” Prince William confirmed while in South Africa for the Earthshot Awards in November. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”

Given time to focus on his wife and trying to keep things as “normal” as possible for their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and 6-year-old Prince Louis, William was often seen doing the school run at their home in Windsor and attending the kids’ sports games.

He was even reported to have taken on most of the cooking and cleaning duties.

How did Prince William and Kate Middleton meet?
The pair met while students at the University of St Andrews in 2001.

The learning establishment has turned out to be lucky for the royals after Lady Louise Windsor also met her Aussie beau there.

“Well, I actually think I went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off, feeling very shy about meeting you,” Kate admitted in an interview for their engagement.

With Kate dating a fellow student, a firm friendship was formed at first.

When they returned for their second year, the pair got along so well they moved into a student house along with two other friends from their uni.

Kate really caught William’s eye though after she modelled in a see-through dress at a charity fashion show in March 2002.

When Kate split up with her boyfriend at the end of 2003, things kicked off
It just sort of blossomed from then on,” William said. “We just spent more time with each other, had a good giggle, had lots of fun and realised we shared the same interests and just had a really good time.”

Their relationship became public knowledge when they were snapped on a skiing trip at Swiss resort Klosters in 2004.

Why did William and Kate split?
Just like all good fairytales, even William and Kate had a few obstacles on the road to happily ever after.

After graduating, the couple found themselves on different paths as Kate took a job as an accessories buyer in London and William completed military training.

In April 2007, it was confirmed through a mutual friend that the promising pair had “amicably” split.

Sources revealed at the time that media pressure on Kate played a role in their break-up, as well as William’s unwillingness to tie the knot at such a young age

Within months rumours swirled that a reconciliation was on the cards as Kate attended the July 2007 memorial concert for Princess Diana, sitting a few rows behind the prince.

Indeed, they were back together, but would keep it to themselves for a few months to enjoy the moment.

“We were both very young …we were both defining ourselves as such and being different characters. It was very much trying to find our way and we were growing up, it was just a bit of space – things worked out for the better,” William said of the time.

After carrying around a ring in his backpack for three weeks, William finally found the perfect place to propose.

The prince got down on bended knee and popped the question to Kate at a rustic log cabin near the foothills of Mount Kenya during an African holiday in October 2010.

After presenting her with his mother, Princess Diana’s, iconic sapphire and diamond ring, Kate said yes.

It’s very special to me, as Kate is very special to me now as well. It was only right the two were put together,” William explained of his decision to use the family heirloom.

“It was my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement and the fact that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”

When did Prince William and Kate marry?
A mere five months after announcing their joyful news, the couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.

Thousands of well-wishers lined London streets to catch a glimpse of the bride as she made her way from The Goring Hotel to the church in a Rolls-Royce, while another two billion from across the world watched on TV.

The bride looked resplendent in her custom-made lace gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Cartier “halo” tiara.

You look lovely, you look beautiful,” William gushed to the soon-to-be princess as Kate joined him at the alter.

After the ceremony, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the newlyweds made their way to Buckingham Palace in an open carriage through streets lined with cheering crowds.

The pair became known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the titles were bestowed by the now-late Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day.

Let’s give them another one,” William said to his bride as he leaned in for another kiss on the palace balcony as the public called for more.

There were two receptions – the first, a lunch hosted by Queen Elizabeth for 650 guests, and a second evening gathering for 300 hosted by the groom’s father, the then-Prince Charles.

Kate emerged from Buckingham Palace the next day to catch a helicopter with her husband to head for a weekend away.

Making headlines for her ‘relatability,’ Kate opted for a pleated blue dress from Zara for the occasion.

How old are William and Kate’s kids?
The Prince and Princess of Wales have three children- Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 8, and 6-year-old Prince Louis.

The palace announced that the pair were expecting their first child on December 3, 2012.

The news was shared quite early in the pregnancy as Kate had been hospitalised for treatment after being diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness).

Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, at St Mary’s Hospital in London.

Hours afterwards, the proud new parent posed in the exact same spot that then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana, did on the day their first son was born.

because it had been so bad with pregnancy, I really quite liked labour,” Kate told the Happy Baby podcast in 2020.

Where do Prince William and Kate live?
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge moved their young family to a new home in Windsor just weeks before the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

Their relocation was believed to be so they could spend more time with his grandmother and to private their kids with more privacy.

The move also brought them closer to Kate’s parents, Michael and Carol Middleton, who are just a 45-minute car drive away in Bucklebury.

George, Charlotte and Louis all currently attend Lambrook School.

Adelaide Cottage is just a four-bedroom cottage, meaning that the Wales family have no live-in staff.

William and Kate also maintain apartments in Kensington Palace which they use while in London.

The family also have a third property in Norfolk.

Anmer Hall is on the Sandringham Estate where the royal family spends Christmas.

The family lived there full-time from 2015 to 2017, however, they now frequently visit while the kids are on school holidays.