Today marks the 13th wedding anniversary of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey in 2011. Like many husbands on such occasions, Prince William likely hopes his anniversary gift is well-received, especially since some of his previous presents have been hit or miss, according to the royal himself.
One gift that Kate Middleton did love from William was revealed during a royal tour of Canada. The Princess of Wales was seen wearing a delicate £4,850 Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, which was thought to have been given for their third wedding anniversary. While this beautiful gift appears to have been a hit, not all of William’s presents have been welcomed by Kate.
The heir himself revealed the “awful” gift he bought for his wife, and as he put it, “she’ll never let him forget it.” This candid admission sheds light on the relatable challenges even royals face in finding the perfect anniversary present for their spouses.
The royal couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, have provided some lighthearted insights into their relationship and gift-giving experiences. In a recent podcast appearance, Prince William candidly admitted to gifting Kate a pair of binoculars during their courtship, a present that she has not let him forget. He humorously acknowledged the questionable nature of the gift, stating that it seemed like a good idea at the time but did not go well.
On a more extravagant note, Prince William once presented Kate with a lavish £121,000 Cartier jewelry set for her birthday. The Princess of Wales wore this stunning six-figure set while supporting the 2012 London Olympic games, showcasing the couple’s appreciation for fine jewelry.
These anecdotes offer an informative glimpse into the personal dynamics and gift-giving traditions within the royal family, highlighting both the humorous missteps and the grand gestures that characterize their relationship.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is known for her exquisite taste in jewelry, often receiving lavish gifts from her husband, Prince William. One of her most remarkable pieces is an 18-carat chain necklace adorned with pavé diamonds and intertwined circles of pink, yellow, and white gold, believed to be a 30th birthday present. Additionally, in 2022, Kate sported a pair of £100 drop earrings from the high street brand Sezane, featuring an intricate coin-style design and dangling jewels, which were a Christmas gift from Prince William.
On April 29, 2011, Kate and William tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in London, in a televised event watched by millions worldwide. Prince Harry served as the best man, with both brothers dressed in traditional military uniforms. Kate wore a stunning French Chantily and English Cluny lace Alexander McQueen gown designed by Sarah Burton. Later, she changed into a second white strapless evening gown for a dinner hosted by Prince Charles, attended by approximately 300 guests.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to be celebrating their wedding anniversary privately this year, following Kate’s recent cancer diagnosis.
The 13th wedding anniversary traditionally symbolizes lace, representing the intricate beauty and delicate care required to maintain a strong relationship. According to royal experts, Prince William may have planned a lace-themed gift for Kate Middleton to commemorate their special occasion this year.
The couple’s enduring bond has been celebrated recently with the release of an adorable unedited photograph of their youngest son, Prince Louis, taken by Kate herself to mark his 6th birthday on April 23rd.
Kate and William’s love story dates back to their university days at St. Andrew’s, where they first met while studying art history. Their friendship blossomed into romance after becoming roommates in their second year, with William admitting he fell for Kate during a charity fashion show she modeled in.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been setting an example of a strong, loving marriage, making their 13th anniversary a significant milestone worth celebrating with a thoughtful, symbolic gift.
The engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton in October 2010 marked a significant milestone in the British royal family. The announcement followed a romantic proposal during their trip to Kenya, where Prince William seized the opportune moment to pop the question. In his own words, “We had a little private time away together with some friends, and I just decided it was the right time, really. We’d been talking about marriage for a while, so it wasn’t a massively big surprise, but I took her up somewhere nice in Kenya.”
Interestingly, the royal family is known for embracing a lighthearted tradition during Christmas celebrations. Instead of lavish gifts, they prefer exchanging humorous and playful presents. This practice has led to some memorable exchanges over the years, such as the late Queen receiving a bath hat from her grandson Prince Harry with the cheeky inscription “Ain’t life a b tch.”