{love stories № 05 | prince william & kate middleton}

With each and every detail still fresh in our minds, is hard to believe the first anniversary of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding is already upon us. From the exquisite English & French Chantilly lace of the gown to the to the eight-tiered wedding cake decorated with an astounding nine hundred sugar-paste flowers — every intimate detail of the day still lingers . . .

Friendship /ˈfrɛn(d)ʃɪp/ a state of mutual trust and support between two people

A truly modern love story that began with a deep and intimate friendship that has stood the test of time amidst constant scrutiny can only be described as a great love story . . .

The first meeting of Prince William & Kate Middleton — through Kate’s own admission — was less then perfect. In 2001, both Will & Kate began attending St Andrews; at their first introduction by common acquaintances, Kate confesses to ‘turning bright red and scuttling off’ — but perhaps Will was somewhat accustomed to instances such as this, and [luckily] it did not effect the immediate liking he had for Kate.

Their next perchance meeting was at a charity fashion show in the spring of 2002. Kate had volunteered to be a model in the show and as she paraded down the runway in a now famous sheer black dress, Will exclaimed to a friend that he thought she was a ‘knockout’!

Both lived in St. Salvators Hall of Residence throughout their first year at college and formed a firm friendship. In September 2002, beginning their second year of college, both moved into a student house which was shared with friends. Will busied himself with university life in attempt to make the experience as ‘normal’ as possible. With games of water polo, evening dinners out and the occasional college party, Kate was one of Will’s constant friends, continuously aiding him in making his college experience a typical one.

The pair grew closer and closer over the school year, and in the fall of 2003 when Will, Kate and two of their friends moved into a cottage for their third year, speculation began to mount over their relationship and rumors began to fly that they were now a couple.

In March 2004 Will & Kate were photographed on the ski slopes in Klosters and when a relationship between the two was not denied, the media ran a rife.

Over the ensuing years both graduated from St. Andrews and attempted to live as normally as possible — with ski vacations to Meribel in the French Alps and romantic island holidays in the Caribbean — however the pair were never spared the frantic and relentless scrutiny and speculation of the media.

Rumors of a royal engagement became common, but in a truly modern gesture, both Will & Kate focused on their respective careers — and always by one another’s side, supported the other in doing so.

In October 2010, Will & Kate joined a group of friends on a quiet holiday to a lodge in Kenya. Knowing that Kate would not suspect a thing, as they were holidaying with friends, Will chose this moment to propose. Seeking some privacy, the pair left for a quiet walk and midway through, Will bent onto one knee and asked Kate to marry him — of course she said ‘yes’! In a wonderfully touching gesture, Will had proposed with the exquisite sapphire & diamond engagement ring that had been his mother’s.

“… I thought it was quite nice because obviously she’s not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all—this was my way of keeping her close to it all.”

The world was delighted by the news of the engagement and the wedding plans began immediately. The media the world over attempted to guess every last detail of the wedding day, which would be the 29th of April 2011 — but when it finally arrived, no one could have guessed how truly magical the day would be. The service was broadcast live around the world and people stopped what they were doing everywhere to watch the marriage of, arguably, the most famous modern couple in the world.

The day was nothing short of spectacular, and what made it truly enchanting were the many touching little details so personal to the bride and groom. From Kate applying her own bridal make-up for the day, to Will driving his new wife to Clarence House in his father’s blue Aston Martin DB6 Volante — with a rear number plate that read ‘JU5T WED’.

“When I first met Kate I knew there was something very special about her. I knew there was possibly something that I wanted to explore there. We ended up being friends for a while and that just sort of was a good foundation. Because I do generally believe now that being friends with one another is a massive advantage. And it just went from there.”

The special touches throughout the day reinforced that not only were Will & Kate now husband & wife they were, as they had always been, best of friends.

A friendship, which had spanned almost a decade, was the basis of this beautiful relationship and most certainly was what made it a wonderfully modern great love story.