The Prince and Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton and Prince William, married on April 29, 2011, and are celebrating 13 wonderful years of marriage. To mark this special occasion, they shared a beautiful, never-before-seen photo from their wedding day.
Accompanied by the caption “13 years ago today!” the photo highlights a joyful moment from their big day. The black-and-white portrait captures Prince William and Princess Kate beaming at each other, with Kate holding a stunning bouquet made primarily of lily of the valley, Queen Elizabeth’s favorite flower.
In the photo, Kate is adorned with Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo Tiara and wears a magnificent white V-neck gown with lace overlay designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Prince William, who initially wore the red tunic of the Irish Guards during the wedding ceremony, is seen in the black uniform of the Blues and Royals in this newly released image.
Credit for this stunning image goes to photographer Millie Pilkington. Millie is no stranger to the royal family, having taken memorable photos including the portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla for their coronation anniversary, as well as birthday portraits of William and Kate’s children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
On sharing the image on her Instagram, Pilkington wrote, “Wishing the @princeandprincessofwales the very happiest wedding anniversary. Can’t believe it is 13 years ago almost to the hour, that I took this portrait. So excited and honored that they should wish to share it.”
Westminster Abbey, where the couple got married, also celebrated their anniversary by sharing a video of Prince William and Princess Kate leaving the London landmark after their wedding ceremony in 2011. The bells rang out as the couple, followed by their bridal party and siblings Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton, were cheered on by crowds before riding off in a horse-drawn carriage.
Prince William and Princess Kate’s journey began at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland back in 2001. They tied the knot on April 29, 2011, and were titled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by Queen Elizabeth on their wedding day. They have since welcomed three delightful children: Prince George, aged 10, Princess Charlotte, aged 8, and Prince Louis, who recently turned 6.
As the couple celebrates their anniversary, it comes on the heels of the news that Princess Kate is undergoing treatment for cancer. She shared her diagnosis publicly in March, through a heartfelt video announcement where she explained the recent findings and assured everyone that she is fighting hard and will be okay.
Prince William has been a pillar of support for his wife through this challenging time. Following her announcement, he cleared his schedule to be by her side and resumed public duties only after their children returned to school post-Easter holidays.
A close family friend shared with PEOPLE that William’s unwavering strength has been invaluable to Kate. “He is very reliable and strong. Catherine doesn’t feel isolated because of William, who is right beside her,” the friend said.
Princess Kate herself mentioned in her video message that Prince William has been a “great source of comfort and reassurance” during her treatment. The couple’s strong bond and the close-knit family they’ve built are sources of immense support during this time.
In April 2023, the couple marked their 12th wedding anniversary by sharing a lovely photo of them riding bicycles with their arms around each other. This photo was taken by Matt Porteous in the Norfolk countryside in 2022 and is part of a series of family pictures captured by Porteous.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children, enjoy spending time at their country home, Anmer Hall, which is part of the Sandringham estate. This idyllic retreat is where Kate feels most at home, providing a wonderful backdrop for many happy family moments.
