Prince William and Kate Middleton are marking 15 years since their engagement, a moment that set the stage for their future as king and queen, an expert has claimed.
The Prince and Princess of Wales announced their plans to marry in November 2010 after William proposed during a trip to Kenya with Princess Diana’s famous sapphire ring.
Speaking on the matter, royal expert Jennie Bond told OK! Magazine that the announcement brought a “national sigh of relief” to royal fans.
She noted that it showed Kate as confident, personable and already ready to take on royal life.
“I think there was something of a national sigh of relief when William finally announced his engagement to Catherine,” she said.
“The relationship had been going on for the best part of a decade: they’d split up for a short period, then got back together, yet he didn’t put a ring on her finger. And then came the announcement that he’d proposed to Africa. Phew!”
She continued: “I’m sure they both felt the weight of history on their shoulders when they decided to marry. Catherine didn’t just marry the man she loved, she made a deal to become a future queen – with all the responsibilities that entails.”
“She also signed up to a lifetime of press and public scrutiny. And it’s a pressure few of us can imagine. But all these years she’s proven she’s up to the challenge and she’s claimed her place in the public’s affections.
“I think the cornerstone of their relationship is that they met in the way that many young couples do, at university, and they were friends before they became lovers.
“And that friendship has clearly deepened — along with their love for each other — as the years have gone by.”
