Prince of Wales Reflects on Their Journey Before Marriage
The Prince and Princess of Wales, now married for over 12 years, had a lengthy relationship that spanned nearly a decade before they became engaged. Their story began at St. Andrews University in Scotland, where they met as students and began dating. However, their path to marriage included its share of ups and downs.
After university, the couple briefly parted ways, much to the public's surprise. Yet, they soon reunited and continued their relationship, though it would still be several years before William proposed. During their 2010 engagement interview with Tom Bradby, William revealed the heartfelt reason for the delay.
When asked if he had waited to give Catherine time to adjust to royal life and reconsider if necessary, William openly responded, “Massively so.” He explained that he wanted to ensure she and her family fully understood the complexities of royal life before making a lifelong commitment. His decision was met with a laugh from Catherine, who had already become familiar with the pressures of being in the royal spotlight.
The couple also addressed their brief split during the interview, with William noting it was a period of personal growth. Catherine, though unhappy at the time, reflected that the separation ultimately made her stronger and helped her discover more about herself, a perspective she came to appreciate in hindsight.
