Kate and William: how a dress sparked their love

Prince William (41) and Princess Kate (41) are the absolute dream couple of the British royal family. While for many years the two presented themselves to the public as a rather private couple, now, 13 years after their engagement on November 16, 2010, everyone can see their deep love. William and Kate Royal fans repeatedly delight fans with romantic gestures – be it loving glances, holding hands or even a butt grab – and prove that they belong together.

Princess Kate and Prince William: Caught her attention with a sheer dress

Princess Kate is now known for her unfailingly timeless and elegant style, with which she can impress at every royal appointment. But Prince William met her 41-year-old during her studies with a rather atypical look for her. At a charity fashion show, Kate, then 20, caught her eye in a sheer dress that revealed her black underwear.

William & Kate: The spark struck between the two about ten years after their first meeting

But before the two officially met at university, their paths crossed during a hockey game at their schools, according to “Vogue.” They were just nine years old at the time. It would be about ten years before they met again and finally the spark struck between the two.

Princess Kate turned “bright red” when she met William

Both William and Kate studied at the elite University of St. Andrews in Scotland in the 2000s. Kate, like the Prince of Wales, studied art history; the latter then moved on to geography. So it was almost inevitable that the two would meet. In her engagement interview in 2010, Kate revealed that she was very shy at the time. “I think you said I turned red when I met you and ran away,” she recalls, according to the Daily Mail, of her shy introduction to her now-husband.

The relationship of today’s dream couple began amicably

Despite their shy nature, Kate and William developed a good friendship, but did not fall madly in love. They became roommates, living in an apartment with other friends and sharing daily university life.

The turning point: William saw Kate differently after the show

According to the Daily Mail, both were at a charity parade during their first year of study. While Kate tried her hand at modeling, Prince William is said to have sat at a table near the catwalk, for which he reportedly paid £200. This meant he had a clear view of the stage as Kate floated down the catwalk in a sheer minidress . This sight made him see Kate in a whole new light, reports the Mirror. However, the romantic relationship between the two did not develop immediately after the fashion show, but slowly developed into their daily student life.

“Time for me”: the royal couple separated for a few months

Prince William and his Princess Kate have been married for about 12 years now, but fans have had to wait many years for their engagement. They first appeared in public as a couple in 2004, during a skiing holiday together in Switzerland.

But before William asked his Kate the big question in 2010, the couple had to pass the acid test: in 2007 they separated for a few months. Afterwards, according to the Daily Mail, the prince explained that they had just given each other some space to get to know each other better. Kate also confirmed, “I think you can get very tired in a relationship when you’re younger, and I really appreciated that moment for myself, even though I didn’t see it that way at the time.” Fans of the two could breathe a sigh of relief again a short time later: Kate and William were seen kissing again at a party in July 2007, according to the Daily Mail.

William only shared his secret engagement plans with the Queen

Another three years passed before the Prince of Wales knelt before his common-law fiancée. He chose a romantic trip to Kenya, where the two had booked a hut on the edge of the Mount Kenya massif with some friends. At the time, only his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II (d. 96), is said to have been aware of his specific plans.

Emotional gesture: Prince William gave Kate his late mother’s engagement ring

Three weeks earlier he had collected from her the special jewel that he wanted to put on his Kate’s finger: the engagement ring of his mother, Princess Diana († 36). According to the Daily Mail, the prince later said at the official announcement of the engagement that he wanted this ring for the marriage proposal. This meant that her mother could take part in this special event even after her death.

Shortly before the engagement, Queen Elizabeth II feared for the reputation of the royal family

According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, the Queen insisted that Kate and William’s engagement be postponed. She feared for the royal family’s reputation after the young couple were often photographed on ski holidays while Kate had no official job. The then regent would have preferred Kate to have accepted a job before the engagement was announced. In the end, however, there was no postponement.

Kate Middleton said yes to her prince in a lace dream on April 29, 2011, and their love is now crowned by her three children, Princess Charlotte (8), Prince George (10) and Prince Louis (5) .