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After spending much of the past year undergoing chemotherapy for the cancer diagnosis she revealed back in March, it makes sense that Kate Middleton would consider staying close to her family one of her top priorities. So it’s no wonder that the Princess of Wales balks at the thought of her firstborn going away to boarding school where he’d be separated from his younger siblings. But according to a royal insider, William has his sights set on boarding school for Prince George anyway … and he’s putting his foot down.

William is reportedly hoping that George will follow in his footsteps.

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As the Mirror reported, as 11-year-old George is getting older, his parents are reportedly putting more thought into what’s next for him. He currently attends Lambrook school with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. A source claims that William sees Eton, the school he went to, as the next logical step. Kate has other ideas.

George and William are both into the idea of Eton.

But a source told the outlet Kate doesn’t like the idea of her son going to an all-boys’ school. Apparently, Kate would rather him go somewhere co-ed so he can stick close to his siblings in school the way she did with Pippa and James.

“Kate’s preference is for George to be at a co-education school, so he can be with his siblings, which is what Kate experienced at Marlborough with her sister, Pippa, and brother, James,” royal expert Katie Nicholl told the Mirror.

Kate reportedly believes Eton would be too ‘stuffy’ for his personality.

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And more than that, it sounds like she’s “heartbroken” that he may not be happy there.

George and William are both into the idea of Eton.

But a source told the outlet Kate doesn’t like the idea of her son going to an all-boys’ school. Apparently, Kate would rather him go somewhere co-ed so he can stick close to his siblings in school the way she did with Pippa and James.

“Kate’s preference is for George to be at a co-education school, so he can be with his siblings, which is what Kate experienced at Marlborough with her sister, Pippa, and brother, James,” royal expert Katie Nicholl told the Mirror.

Kate reportedly believes Eton would be too ‘stuffy’ for his personality.

Mike Egerton – PA Images/Getty Images

And more than that, it sounds like she’s “heartbroken” that he may not be happy there.

For now, the family seems happy where they are.

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And, as Katie mentioned while talking to the Mirror, Will and Kate appreciated the “sense of normality” Lambrook gave their children while Kate navigated her cancer treatment.

“The school gives them a great infrastructure and a great support network, and allows the children to live a regular childhood — a low-key, happy, albeit privileged childhood,” Katie said.

George could stay at Lambrook until the age of 13, but his parents will probably start making decisions soon.

Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family. 

 

In a deeply emotional moment, Prince William was seen visibly shaken after reading the latest test results of his wife, Kate Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge had recently undergone a routine medical check-up, and when the results were revealed, they left both her and her husband reeling with concern. The prince’s reaction was one of quiet devastation as he processed the news, his face displaying a mixture of disbelief and sorrow.

As the couple sat together in a private consultation room, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. Prince William, typically composed and focused, appeared lost in thought as he read the test results. The news was grim, and it was clear that the diagnosis weighed heavily on his heart. After a long silence, he finally turned to Kate with a look of deep sadness in his eyes.

“We should go home, darling,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. It was a moment of raw vulnerability that not only demonstrated the bond between them but also revealed the immense emotional toll that the royal couple had been quietly enduring.

Kate, ever the supportive and strong figure, nodded quietly, though her own face reflected a mix of anxiety and concern. It was clear that the gravity of the situation had taken its toll on her as well. Despite the public’s perception of the royal family as unflappable figures, this moment proved that behind closed doors, they, like many others, face the same emotional struggles and uncertainties that anyone in a similar situation would.
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The couple’s decision to return home immediately, rather than addressing the press or continuing with their public engagements, spoke volumes about their priorities during such a difficult time. Prince William, whose role as a future king often places him in the public eye, has rarely been seen in such a state of emotional distress. The public’s admiration for Kate and William has always been rooted in their resilience and strength as parents and public figures. Yet this rare moment of vulnerability reminded the world that even those who are constantly in the spotlight experience moments of personal hardship.

As they left the medical facility together, the couple walked hand in hand, their body language conveying a sense of unity and support. While the future remained uncertain, one thing was clear: their commitment to each other and their family was unwavering. Prince William’s protective instincts for his wife and children were evident, and his quiet plea for them to return home was a reflection of his desire to shield his loved ones from any further distress.

The royal family’s public persona is one of strength and grace, but behind the scenes, they, too, experience moments of fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak. Prince William’s reaction to the latest medical news concerning Kate was a poignant reminder that despite their royal status, they are, first and foremost, a family facing the same challenges that any couple might encounter in times of crisis.

As the world watches, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s journey through this difficult moment will undoubtedly resonate with many. It’s a testament to their bond as a family and the importance of support, love, and togetherness in the face of adversity.

The couple’s decision to return home immediately, rather than addressing the press or continuing with their public engagements, spoke volumes about their priorities during such a difficult time. Prince William, whose role as a future king often places him in the public eye, has rarely been seen in such a state of emotional distress. The public’s admiration for Kate and William has always been rooted in their resilience and strength as parents and public figures. Yet this rare moment of vulnerability reminded the world that even those who are constantly in the spotlight experience moments of personal hardship.

As they left the medical facility together, the couple walked hand in hand, their body language conveying a sense of unity and support. While the future remained uncertain, one thing was clear: their commitment to each other and their family was unwavering. Prince William’s protective instincts for his wife and children were evident, and his quiet plea for them to return home was a reflection of his desire to shield his loved ones from any further distress.

The royal family’s public persona is one of strength and grace, but behind the scenes, they, too, experience moments of fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak. Prince William’s reaction to the latest medical news concerning Kate was a poignant reminder that despite their royal status, they are, first and foremost, a family facing the same challenges that any couple might encounter in times of crisis.

As the world watches, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s journey through this difficult moment will undoubtedly resonate with many. It’s a testament to their bond as a family and the importance of support, love, and togetherness in the face of adversity.

 

In a rare interview during his trip to South Africa, Prince William discussed the challenging year he has endured. He shared how incredibly difficult the past year has been.

He highlighted the harsh realities many families face, explaining that cancer can be an unyielding presence. Reflecting on his family’s struggles, he noted that it was the most difficult year of his life. His grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, called 1992 her “annus horribilis” due to her children’s marital problems and the fire at Windsor Castle. However, this year, William has endured even greater hardship, earning admiration from royal supporters.

William shared that losing his mother at the age of 15 was a devastating experience, especially since he had to walk behind her coffin just six days later. He expressed pride in both his wife and father for their strength and resilience during such a challenging time. However, he also acknowledged the personal impact on his family, particularly regarding the tension between him and his brother, and emphasized the importance of love in guiding future actions.

He ended with a message of love, joy, happiness, and hope, stressing that with faith and strength, they could make the changes they desired. When asked about Catherine’s health after her difficult journey, he assured that she was doing well and likely cheering him on. While some reports mentioned she had returned to training, other conflicting reports suggested that King Charles was also dealing with his own health issues.

On his last day in Cape Town, William was greeted by a warm crowd. He joked that he had had a great time and did not want to leave, receiving handmade gifts for his family, including key chains and beaded earrings for Catherine. He took part in a local initiative supporting seaweed businesses, jokingly noting how a French children’s book could help his children learn French.

 

According to royal advisers, the trip marked William’s transition into a new phase of leadership since his father became king two years ago. He has started a variety of projects aimed at reducing homelessness and has prioritized child development, which appears to be a cornerstone of their future endeavors. While he appeared calm throughout the visit, William revealed that balancing family and business was difficult as he and his family recovered. He wanted to raise awareness of health issues and advocate for resources to help families dealing with such diagnosis.

Prince William and Princess Catherine are deeply devoted to giving their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—a carefree and joyful childhood. To protect this, they’ve chosen to keep certain aspects of royal life a secret from them.

Amid ongoing family tensions and close media scrutiny, the young royals are growing into their roles. Notably, Princess Charlotte has emerged as a natural leader among her brothers, George and Louis. Her confident demeanor often shines during royal events, where she takes on responsibilities with poise.

Despite a challenging year, Prince William has found comfort in moments of joy with his family. A palace insider revealed that William affectionately calls Charlotte “mignonette”—French for “little one”—a term of endearment that reflects her ability to bring light even in difficult times.

During a heartfelt visit to Newport, Prince William spoke movingly about homelessness, especially when it comes to vulnerable women. He met Rebecca, a 32-year-old care assistant who shared her story of resilience after facing the transition to foster care and living on the streets at the age of 16. Moved by her strength, he praised Rebecca, saying, “We need more Rebeccas in the world.” William’s commitment to tackling homelessness stems from his early years and the powerful influence of his mother, Princess Diana.

Losing his mother at the age of 15 had a lasting impact, and Diana’s legacy has shaped who he is today. For William, tackling homelessness fits with continuing his mother’s mission of compassion and ensuring her values ​​remain alive through his work and family, values ​​he wants to instill in Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Following his mother’s example, William wants his children to understand life outside the palace from an early age. During difficult times, they inspire him to persevere.
 

William is happy for his sons, while Charlotte lifts his spirits in a unique way. Their bond has grown stronger over the recent challenges of the royal family. She naturally takes charge when it comes to her brothers, especially at major royal events. As the eldest, Charlotte helps keep Louis in line when he acts out for attention. At Trooping the Colour in 2024, Louis showed off his playful nature, and Charlotte was seen trying to control him during the national anthem.

Charlotte demonstrated her abilities at King Charles’ coronation by guiding Louis through the event and keeping an eye on George during a later concert. When William took the stage, Charlotte made certain that everyone was focused on him, even pressing George to pay attention when he was unresponsive. Following the coronation, William mentioned that Charlotte was fatigued from completing her responsibilities as an older sister and spending a quiet day at home.
 

 

Prince Harry Says He’ll Never Bring Meghan Markle Back To The UK

Prince Harry has no plans to return to his homeland. In the ITV documentary Tabloids on Trial, which aired on July 26 and explores several legal battles against U.K. newspapers, the Duke of Sussex voiced safety concerns about bringing his wife Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, back to Britain.

“It’s still dangerous, and all it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff to act on what they have read,” he said in the doc. “Whether it’s a knife or acid, whatever it is, and these are things that are of genuine concern for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.”

Harry announced in January 2020 that he and the Duchess of Sussex would be stepping back from their royal duties. In June of that year, the couple moved to California, where they currently reside with their two children.

After retreating from royal life, Harry and Meghan’s right to police security in the U.K. was removed by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures. In 2023, the Duke challenged the decision in court, offering to pay for police protection himself.

In a court statement at the time, Harry said he and Meghan “felt forced” to leave the U.K. due to safety concerns. His statement came after the former head of counterterrorism for the Metropolitan Police, Neil Basu, said the agency had found “disgusting and very real” threats to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

In February 2024, Harry lost his case against the U.K. government, but is able to appeal the court’s decision about his family’s access to police protection.

Harry’s Royal Rift

In the recent Tabloids on Trial doc, the Duke also spoke of his recent legal battles with British tabloids, which included taking a newspaper group to court over the alleged hacking of his phone.

Harry explained that his legal challenges have been a “central piece” in his rift with senior members of the royal family. However, he stands by his decision to call out the “torrent of abuse from the press.”

“It would be nice if we did it as a family,” he said in the doc. “I believe that from a service standpoint and when you’re in a public role, that these are the things that we should be doing for the greater good.”

Meghan Markle Says Opening Up About Her Mental Health Was “Worth It”

Meghan Markle keeps getting candid about her mental health. On Aug. 4, the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry were interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning to talk about their latest project, The Parents Network, which aims to support parents whose children have been “affected by social media harms.”

During their sit-down, host Jane Pauley asked Meghan about her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which she shared that she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” during her time as a working member of the royal family. While the duchess “wasn’t expecting” to be asked about the famed interview, Meghan said she stands by her decision to open up to Winfrey about her struggles with mental health and thoughts of suicide at the time.

“When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey, certainly part of mine, is being able to be really open about it,” she said, adding that she hasn’t “really scraped the surface” about her experiences in the British monarchy following her and Harry’s exit from the royal sphere in early 2020.

“I would never want someone else to not be believed,” Meghan continued. “If me voicing what I have overcome will save someone, or encourage someone in their life to really, genuinely check in on them, and not assume that the appearance is good so everything’s OK, then that’s worth it.”

Following Harry and Meghan’s 2021 interview with Winfrey, which was watched by 17 million viewers in the United States alone, the royal family released a statement addressing the duchess’ comments about her mental health, among other revelations.

“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” a Buckingham Palace statement read. “While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”

Prince Harry Was “Devastated”

The Duke of Sussex previously spoke of his wife’s mental health struggles in the couple’s 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, revealing that he was “devastated” to learn she had been experiencing suicidal ideation.

“I never thought that it would get to that stage,” he said. “The fact that it got to that stage, I felt angry and ashamed. I didn’t deal with it particularly well. I dealt with it as ‘institutional Harry’ as opposed to ‘nd Harry.’ And what took over my feelings was my royal role.”

 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had initially wanted to be ‘half-in, half-out’ members of the royal family – but their suggestion was shut down by the late Queen

Meghan Markle always wanted to become a “superstar” and would never have been happy living the “quiet” life of a lesser royal family member, an expert has claimed. Prince Harry and his wife had originally wanted to be “half-in, half-out” members of the Royal Family, which would allow them to support the late Queen but also be allowed to work and earn independent salaries.

But Her Majesty shut down this suggestion, prompting the couple to leave the UK and settle in the US on a permanent basis. At the time, some of the Sussex fans questioned the decision, comparing Harry and Meghan’s situation to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who have normal jobs but also appear at royal events. But royal commentator Jane Barr has said the former actress would never have been happy living a more low-key lifestyle like the two sisters.

Writing in the From Berkshire to Buckingham newsletter, Barr suggested: “She [Meghan] would not have been happy with the ultimately quiet or truly independent/non-royal lives that William and Harry’s cousins actually live. “Looking back to Megxit, Harry was not just the grandson of the Queen, the same relationship all his cousins had to the sovereign, he was the son of the future King.

“William and Harry were — from birth — preeminent royals, while their cousins, although celebrated, surely, began as secondary royals and only continued to fade as the years went by. Harry seems so bitter about being the spare, but he has always been quite senior to his cousins, and treated accordingly.”

It comes after a documentary from German network ZDF accused Harry and Meghan of hypocrisy given their luxurious lifestyle in the US. The Lost Prince, made by award-winning filmmaker Ulrike Grunewald, contrasts the couple’s high-profile visits to impoverished nations with Meghan’s penchant for costly designer outfits – and also accuses the couple of capitalising on their former royal roles to fund their lifestyle.

The Mirror’s Russell Myers told the show: “If you’re going to places like Nigeria, like Colombia, which have huge socio-economic problems, some of the world’s poorest communities in these countries, and you’re turning up wearing tens of thousands of pounds worth of designer clothes – it really doesn’t send the right message.” Elsewhere in the documentary, former soldier Ben McBean, who once shared a flight home from Afghanistan with Prince Harry, criticised the royal for his revelations about his family in his explosive memoir ‘Spare’ and the Sussexes’ Netflix show.

McBean, who tragically lost his left arm and had his right leg amputated above the knee following a landmine blast in Afghanistan in 2008, didn’t mince his words when he appeared on the documentary , according to the Daily Mail.

The veteran soldier expressed: “I just thought, with him kind of whinging about his family and he was saying something about his brother pushing him over or something like that, I was just like, “Mate, just leave it out” You and your brother had a little fisticuffs…but family’s family, you know.”

According to Omid Scobie’s book, Endgame, the Duke wanted Buckingham Palace to wait to announce the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death as he wanted to be with the family

Prince Harry “begged” the Royal Family to hold off announcing important news to the world, an author has claimed.

According to Omid Scobie’s book, Endgame, Prince Harry wanted Buckingham Palace to wait to announce the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death, as he wanted to be with the Royal Family at the time the news was released.

Queen Elizabeth II’s death was officially broadcast to the world at 6:30pm on September 8 2022, just before Prince Harry was able to arrive in Aberdeen and make his way to Balmoral. However, in his book, Omid claims the statement was due to be released earlier but Prince Harry had begged the release to be delayed.

Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, along with their wives, visited Windsor Castle to see floral tributes left for the late Queen ( 
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Getty Images)
The Prince’s plane was forced to circle the airport before landing due to stormy weather, reports the Express. The extract reads: “When Harry’s plane finally touched tarmac twenty minutes later, he received a text from Meghan urging him to call ASAP followed by a breaking news alert via the BBC News app with the announcement of the Queen’s death.”

The Palace did agree to wait for Harry to arrive, but eventually they decided to announce the news without him. A spokesperson for the King said in a statement: “The public was only informed after every family member had been informed.” The newspaper also quoted a source saying that the King was “adamant” that all members of ‘the Firm’ had to be informed of the monarch’s death before the palace broke the news.

Members of the Royal Family had rushed to Aberdeenshire on the day if The Queen’s death, to be by her side at Balmoral. The Duke of Sussex was scheduled to appear at a charity award ceremony in London on September 8, but had to cancel his plans to rush to his grandmother’s bedside.

Just days after her death, Prince Harry and his brother Prince William along with their wives, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, were reunited to view floral tributes which has been left outside Windsor Castle. The was the first time that all four members of the family appeared in public together, since the Queen’s thanksgiving in June 2022, as part of her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

Prince Harry and Prince William were last seen together at a memorial service for their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, back in August 2023. Harry has also visited the UK to see his father, King Charles, in February of this year and again for the Invictus Games, an international sporting event held for wounded and ill members of the armed forces veterans, in May.

According to author Omid Scobie, the Duke of Sussex begged his family to delay sharing some crucial news – but they went ahead and made the announcement in his absence

Prince Harry pleaded with his family to hold off on making a hugely important announcement, according to Endgame author Omid Scobie.

The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was officially announced at 6.30pm on September 8, 2022, just before Harry was able to touch down in Aberdeen and make his way towards Balmoral.

In his book, Scobie claimed that Buckingham Palace had planned to release a statement earlier, but that Harry “begged” them to hold off, as stormy weather meant his plane had to circle the airport before it could land and he wanted to be with them at the time. However, a decision was made to make the announcement without him.

“When Harry’s plane finally touched tarmac 20 minutes later, he received a text from Meghan urging him to call ASAP followed by a breaking news alert via the BBC News app with the announcement of the Queen’s death,” the extract reads.

A spokesperson for the King later confirmed: “The public was only informed after every family member had been informed.”

Harry wrote in detail about the Queen’s death in his tell-all book Spare, and shared his anger that his father Charles forbid wife Meghan from travelling with him to Scotland: “He said I was welcome at Balmoral, but he didn’t want… her. He started to lay out his reason, which was nonsensical, and disrespectful, and I wasn’t having it.”

Harry said he retorted firmly to his father’s comments about Meghan, saying: “Don’t ever speak about my wife that way…He stammered, apologetic, saying he simply didn’t want a lot of people around. No other wives were coming, Kate wasn’t coming, he said, therefore Meg shouldn’t. Then that’s all you needed to say.”

Indeed, Prince William travelled to Balmoral with his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and Duchess Sophie. Princess Kate made the difficult decision to stay at home with the couple’s three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. The royal youngsters had their first day at their new school, Lambrook, on September 8, and Kate thought it was important for her to be there to support them.

The Queen peacefully passed away at 15.10pm on September 8 2022. Of her family members, only Charles, Camilla and Princess Anne were able to see her before she died; by chance the siblings were already in Scotland for prior engagements.

William, Andrew, Edward and Sophie landed at 3.50pm, 40 minutes after her death. And with the new Prince of Wales at the wheel, they drove to Balmoral, arriving at 5.06pm. Harry, meanwhile, left Luton airport onboard a private jet at about 5.30pm. He was still in the air when the announcement of the queen’s death was made at 6.30pm.

Writing about the moment he found out his grandmother had passed away, Harry wrote: “When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: ‘Call me when you get this.’ I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King.” He further stated that when he did finally make it to Balmoral, his aunt Princess Anne led him upstairs to “Granny’s bedroom” so he could pay his respects.

Prince William is set to meet President Elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden for meetings in Paris as the Notre Dame Cathedral gets ready to reopen to worshippers

As the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris gets ready to reopen its doors after a devastating blaze, Prince William will be meeting with US First Lady Dr Jill Biden and President Elect Donald Trump.

They will be among the world leaders, dignitaries and worshippers gathering to mark the reopening following the restoration of the 861-year-old landmark. The cathedral was almost destroyed when a fire broke out in 2019, and over the course of five years, the structure that took almost two centuries to build was restored.

A reopening celebration is being held this evening under the Gothic arches, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich with around 1,500 guests expected to attend. It comes as the Prince of Wales has begun to take on an increased role as a global statesman over the last two years, with royal sources saying “this is a further example of The Prince stepping up onto the world stage to represent the United Kingdom.”

Notre Dame has been lit up at night ahead of its reopening ( 
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Getty Images)
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The Prince of Wales will travel to Paris tomorrow to attend the ceremony marking the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. His Royal Highness is travelling at the request of His Majesty’s Government on behalf of the United Kingdom.”

Prince William last met the current First Lady of the United States when she attended His Majesty’s Coronation in 2023, and last rubbed shoulders with President Elect Trump at his state visit to the UK in 2019, during his last presidency. Ahead of the gathering of world leaders, a huge security operation involving surface-to-air missiles and SAS-style anti-terrorist units was spotted in Paris.

Paris police prefect Laurence Nunez explained that “increased security [is] essential because of the very high level of terrorist threat”. Noting multiple attacks by Islamist groups over the last decade, Mr Nunez said there will be “6,000 police and gendarmes mobilised to secure the events”. Officers will include members of the elite GIGN, the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, who will provide everything from rooftop snipers to helicopter-borne rapid intervention teams.

But for worshippers, all eyes will be on the spectacular restoration of Our Lady of Paris. Notre Dame’s rector, Reverand Olivier Ribadeau Dumas explained the cathedral is “more than just a French monument” and a beloved treasure of the world’s cultural heritage.

“The cathedral is a magnificent symbol of unity,” the rector said. “A sign of hope, because what seemed impossible has become possible.”

Saturday’s events will blend solemn religious tradition with cultural grandeur, starting with Ulrich symbolically reopening Notre Dame’s grand wooden doors. Tapping them three times with a staff crafted from charred wood salvaged from the cathedral’s fire-ravaged roof, he will declare the cathedral open for worship once more.

EXCLUSIVE Kate Middleton and Prince William still enjoy romantic dates together to keep their spark alive – often heading off for long weekends away without the kids

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been leaning on one another after a difficult few years for the Royal Family, and clearly have strong foundations. But after over 20 years together and 3 children, how do the royal couple keep the romance alive? The married couple have previously shared how they would converse over romantic homecooked dinners in the early days of their relationship, but now enjoy ailing holidays, roast dinners and long weekends at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. Just over 20 years ago, their romance came to light when pictures emerged of a handsome young prince cosying up to a beautiful brunette on a T-bar ski lift.

The chemistry between the pair was unmistakable – a whispered conversation, gloved hands touching – and both of them wearing what could be described as matching outfits. Here was evidence that William had finally got his girl – which, incidentally was the headline on a tabloid newspaper that enraged the Palace. Up until that point, Kate and William, both students at the University of St Andrews, had managed to keep their romance under wraps, even though they were living in a cottage together in the middle of nowhere.

The couple have been together since 2001 and still have fun with one another trying new things ( 
Image:
PA)

Now their two-year romance was out in the open, and the nation fell in love with William’s refreshing choice of girl-next-door. There was a frenzy to discover more about the former Marlborough College pupil who had captured the prince’s heart, with Middleton and Goldsmith family trees unearthed and much made of her mother Carole’s former job as an air hostess.

But what was it that first attracted the heir to the throne to Kate? Rather shy and aloof when he first started studies at St Andrews, he began to come out of his shell once he started to mingle with Kate’s circle of public school pals. They started off as friends, before becoming boyfriend and girlfriend after moving into a shared house at 13a Hope Street.

Royal expert Duncan Larcombe told OK! exclusively, “William was really very starry-eyed about Kate and they brought out the best in each other in many ways. William is quite shy and can be reserved around new people. He’s very cautious, and in that way they are quite similar characters. Their relationship blossomed on spaghetti bolognese and rain-swept beaches.”

They have gushed over one another in the past, with Kate sharing how her husband ‘looks after’ her ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Audi UK)
Kate offered more than just her fun, down-to-earth personality and good looks, however. Once William got to know them, the Middleton clan provided something that perhaps William had never experienced up until that point: a sense of family stability and comfort far removed from the grandeur of royal palaces.

Royal expert Hugo Vickers says, “We’ve always been told that Prince William found the Middleton household very convenient, in the sense that he felt it had a sort of a normality that his own upbringing hadn’t particularly had.”

Duncan adds, “It’s easy to underestimate the role the Middletons have played in William’s life. Yes, he fell in love with Kate at university, but frankly he fell in love with the Middleton family as well. They were the family he has never had – the mum, dad and three kids spending time together and going on family holidays. It was a new world he’d not experienced before.

“The biggest proof of the influence they’ve had on William is that he and Kate are following the Middleton model as they bring up their three children, sending them to the same school and keeping them all close together.”

The royal couple often take long weekend breaks away, escaping from the pressures of royal life ( 
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Getty Images)
That love of normality has been evident throughout their relationship – who can forget Kate wheeling a trolley into a Waitrose supermarket near the couple’s house in Anglesey, just days after her 2011 wedding to William?

It’s this ability to keep a life entirely for themselves alongside their public duties that has been the bedrock of their marriage. During their younger years, there were occasional photos of them out partying and clubbing together, like any couple in their 20s enjoying London life. But as they got older, their private social life moved behind closed doors – much
as it had been during their time at St Andrews.

Hugo says, “They’ve always been good at keeping their private life away from the public gaze, just as they did in Anglesey. Now, of course they have help at home in Windsor but they don’t have many staff. I think they’ve always tried to keep it informal so that they are all together as a family.”

Their four-bedroom home – with sofas covered with cushions and framed family photos – was originally described as “quaintly elegant” when it was built in 1831, and with its large garden it is the ideal place to raise their three children and entertain local friends. As Duncan says, “By royal standards, Adelaide Cottage is incredibly modest. They could be living in any number of places that would be 10 times bigger and 10 times grander, with 10 times the staff, but that just doesn’t seem to be how they’re wired. There is a humility to both of them.”

They also enjoy skiing, being spotted together for the first time ever during a ski trip to KlostersDuring term time, other parents at their children’s school, Lambrook, are very familiar with the sight of either Kate or William dropping off their three children, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, and attending events on the school’s extensive 52-acre site in Berkshire.

It’s this family togetherness that makes them so strong. Duncan says, “One thing that has struck me over the years is how much they changed after their engagement and marriage. From William’s point of view as heir to the throne, things did get very serious. Now they’ve replaced that carefreeness they had in their youth with a family bond with their kids. They live their lives through their children when they’re not on official duty. And that’s probably one of the secrets of their success – not trying to relive their youth. They just absolutely love being Mum and Dad to three kids.”

Ahead of the school summer holidays, it was Prince William who was taking the strain of the daily school runs while Kate recovered from her chemotherapy treatment. In her announcement that she had cancer, Kate movingly spoke of her husband, saying, “Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance.”

But these days, they take most pride in doing things as a family – embracing the roles of mum and dad ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
This echoed what Kate said when the pair got engaged in 2010. At the time, she revealed, “You know, over the years William has looked after me, he’s treated me very well – as the loving boyfriend he is, he is very supportive of me through the good times and through the bad times.”

But perhaps what has held them together more than anything else is their fantastic sense of humour. In public, we don’t always see that side of the couple – bar the odd knowing side glance – but in private, it’s very different.

William has said of their relationship, “Obviously we both have a very fun time together, both have a very good sense of humour about things, we’re down to earth, we take the mickey out of each other a lot, and she’s got plenty of habits that make me laugh that I tease her about.”

We’re sure he’ll be doing his utmost to keep a smile on his wife’s face right now.