Prince William's confession about a significant secret he kept from Kate Middleton continues to intrigue us, as do all matters related to Royal marriages and engagements. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who will be celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary on April 29, are no exception.
Royal expert Robert Hardman describes the announcement of a Royal engagement as the "starting gun" for months of anticipation, which was certainly the case for the Waleses.
"When a royal couple tell us they're engaged, we're fascinated by everything from the dress design to who the bridesmaids and best man will be and where we're going to watch it" he elaborated. "People love to makea day of it with street parties and things, so there's huge interest from the word go."
Indeed, Prince William and Kate Middleton caused quite a stir when they revealed their engagement in November 2010.
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In an interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, the newly-engaged pair divulged details of a romantic Kenyan holiday during which William proposed using his late mother Princess Diana's engagement ring. "It is the place my father took my brother and me shortly after our mother died" William clarified at the time, according to OK!. "And when deciding where best to propose to Catherine, I could think of no more fitting place than Kenya to get down on one knee."
He also shared that he had carried the ring, crafted by Royal jeweller Garrard, in a rucksack for three weeks before asking the question.
"I knew if this thing disappeared, I'd be in a lot of trouble," he quipped. The couple's official engagement photo was snapped at St James's Palace by renowned photographer Mario Testino, who admitted, "I waited a long time, an hour or two, to make that picture perfect."
The iconic image naturally highlighted the ring, featuring a stunning Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 sparkling diamonds, which was resized for fit by the esteemed jewellers G. Collins and Sons.
Fast forward seven years, and it was William's brother, Prince Harry, causing a media storm with his engagement announcement to US actress Meghan Markle. They broadcasted their joyous news from the sunlit gardens of Kensington Palace back in November 2017.
"I was there in the garden, and it felt like the dawn of a brand new era for the royals," reminisces author Robert. "Everyone wanted to be part of that excitement."
Meghan's engagement ring boasted a Botswana diamond flanked by two smaller stones from Princess Diana's collection. In 2019, Meghan gave her ring an update, swapping the original gold band for one encrusted with a delicate pave of precious gems.
