Prince William revealed that he deliberately gave Kate Middleton ample time to experience the realities of royal life before they married. The Prince of Wales, who announced his engagement to Kate in 2010, discussed his decision in an interview with Tom Bradby for the BBC. William admitted he took his time to propose to ensure Kate fully understood the pressures and public scrutiny that come with being part of the royal family.
During the interview, Bradby acknowledged the challenges of life in the public eye, saying, “This is a life in the public domain to a degree that you can’t escape. You both know that—you (William) obviously know it better than Kate does. You are obviously very protective of her.”
“Massively so,” William responded. “Her and her family. I want to make sure they have the best guidance and the chance to see what life has been like or what life is like in the family. That’s kind of almost why I’ve been waiting this long.”
He continued, “I wanted to give her a chance to see in and to back out if she needed to before it all got too much. I’m trying to learn from lessons done in the past, and I just wanted to give her the best chance to settle in and see what happens on the other side.”
William and Kate eventually tied the knot in 2011 in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey, watched by millions around the globe. The couple later welcomed their first child, Prince George, in 2013, followed by Princess Charlotte in 2015 and Prince Louis in 2018.
William’s thoughtful approach reflects his deep care for Kate and her family, ensuring she has the opportunity to fully understand and embrace the challenges of royal life. Their enduring partnership continues to solidify their role as key figures in the modern monarchy.