On 29th April 2021, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. Over the last 10 years, the Duke and Duchess have been an example of dedication to duty, enthusiasm, and service. Their marriage has been a framework for the two of them to operate from within the wider framework of the royal family. Together as a couple, and as individuals, they have met people from all over the world, travelled across the UK, commonwealth, and wider world, and supported many charities and organisations.
Their love story began at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, where they met when they were both students. Originally on the same History of Art course, Prince William later switched to Geography. The two of them became friends, and were also in the same halls of residence. In their latter years at university, they shared rented accommodation with other friends. After university they dated on and off for several years, separating briefly in 2007. They became engaged in 2010, whilst on holiday in Kenya. The Prince gave his fiance his late mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring. The now-Duchess has carried this ring with her from then on, and has been able to reconcile it’s significance for her husband, his family, and the public, whilst also making it her own, and not allowing the associations with Diana to become a burden or issue for her. In this, as in all things, Catherine has shown maturity, wisdom, and decorum.
Their on and off romance that spanned the best part of 10 years enabled them to get comfortable with each other and the future that was mapped out for them. Catherine had plenty of time to be certain of what she was getting herself in for, in terms of marrying into the royal family and one day being Queen. This has, I think, really paid off and shown itself in Catherine’s dedication to her public role, her private ingratiation into her husband’s family, and her growing confidence. Catherine has shown in the last 10 years that she works hard, shows genuine enthusiasm and personal interest in her work in all it’s spheres, and toes the line of what is expected of her. She appears joyful because she is content within herself, and has accepted the role she plays, and all that it encompasses, from royal protocol, to what she is expected to wear, say, do, and the pattern of the royal calendar. William, too has done the same. That is not to say that they haven’t pushed the boat out where appropriate, being real, relevant, and gently and slowly moving with the modern times. But they do this with respect and careful consideration. They have seemingly-good relationships with both the royal and Middleton families that provide them support and enable them to support others.
Prince William and Catherine married on 29th April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, London. It was a state occasion, and a UK bank holiday. The televised ceremony and consequent carriage procession and balcony appearance was watched worldwide. Across the UK, the public celebrated with street and garden parties, with some lining the streets of the carriage procession and the mall to catch a glimpse in person of the bride and groom. The wedding featured all the usual pomp, ceremony, and tradition expected of a state royal wedding of a future king and queen, but also had personal, family, and contemporary elements, bringing it into the 21st century and showing the world who this couple were as individual, living, breathing, human beings. In their engagement interview the couple displayed both their public, regal, working roles, and their individual personalities. They displayed how they functioned as a couple.
The couple have three children. Prince George born in 2013, Princess Charlotte born in 2015, and Prince Louis born in 2018. The children have been brought up away from the limelight, but have made public appearances when their parents have felt it is important and within a context they can control, such as Trooping the Colour balcony appearances and Christmas Day at Sandringham. This way, the children have been able to learn and experience and know about royal life, but also been protected from the press and paparazzi. When the couple first married, they lived on the welsh Isle of Anglesey, and when Prince George was young, they based themselves at their Norfolk country home of Anmer Hall. This has enabled them as both a young married couple, and as young parents, to have space and time to focus on those private relationships and roles, away from the public, and allowed them to grow in confidence, away from press scrutiny, so their confidence can build. This was an excellent idea I think, and enabled them to experience some relative normality, especially with Prince William’s roles as an RAF Search and Rescue Helicopter Pilot, and later an Air Ambulance Pilot.
Now based at Kensington Palace, the couple have built a household and team around them, through their royal foundation. From this place of support and strength they are in a working rhythm that enables them to be a solid family unit, and to play their public roles. From investitures and state banquets, to Royal Ascot, to visiting schools, farms, nursing homes, and pubs, they connect with anyone and everyone. The couple focus on causes close to their heart, such as their Heads Together mental health campaign, but also try to have a wide reaching sphere that includes all. They carry out every element of their work with sincerity and energy, whether that’s a state banquet, or condoling with those grieving the loss of loved ones following a natural disaster, visiting a farm in the countryside, or an inner-city school. They connect with business-people, parents, the elderly, statesman, environmental campaigners, recovering addicts, artists, teenagers, and those who are unwell, giving equal focus and sympathy to all. They judge the level of the visit appropriately, showing due respect, or laughter, or knowledge, or empathy. They reference their own thoughts, lives, family, experiences where appropriate to create a level of connection.
I am so grateful for all the Duke and Duchess do and are. They have shown a high level of competence in a range of situations, and I for one, think they will be an excellent 21st Century King and Queen, both valuing and respecting tradition, and modernising the monarchy.
Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary, your royal highnesses!
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