Kate Middleton and Prince William are celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary in a very special way, sharing a new and previously unseen photo from their beautiful wedding day.
On April 29, 2011, the Prince and Princess of Wales tied the knot, and now, 13 years later, they’ve delighted fans by releasing a stunning black-and-white portrait to mark the joyous occasion.
The heartwarming snap, shared on their social media, captures the couple beaming on their big day. Kate holds her lovely bridal bouquet, composed primarily of lily of the valley — a beloved flower of Queen Elizabeth. Adorned in Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo Tiara and a breathtaking white V-neck gown with lace overlay by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Kate looks every bit the fairy-tale bride.
In the photo, Prince William is seen in the black uniform of the Blues and Royals. This is a change from the red tunic of the Irish Guards that he wore during the church service at Westminster Abbey. Back then, Prince William was the Colonel in Chief of the Irish Guards, a role that Kate took over in 2022.
The beautiful photograph was taken by Millie Pilkington. Millie, who has previously captured key moments for the royal family, recently took a photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla for their coronation anniversary and birthday portraits of William and Kate’s three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Sharing this special moment on 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.”
In addition to this, Westminster Abbey commemorated the couple’s anniversary by posting a video of them exiting the church on their wedding day. The video brought back fond memories of April 29, 2011, showing the newlyweds leaving the London landmark to the sound of ringing bells and cheering crowds, followed by a charming horse-drawn carriage ride.
Prince William and Princess Kate’s love story began in the early 2000s. They met as students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2001 and got married a decade later. Given the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by Queen Elizabeth on their wedding day, the pair later had three lovely children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Recently, this milestone comes amid Princess Kate’s ongoing battle with health issues. In a heartfelt video message on March 22, she revealed that post-operative tests following her abdominal surgery had found cancer. She expressed that she and Prince William took time to explain the situation to their children in an appropriate manner, reassuring them of her eventual recovery.
Prince William has been a rock for Princess Kate during these tough times. Clearing his calendar to be by her side, he resumed public duties only after their children returned to school post-Easter holiday.
A longtime family friend of the couple shared with PEOPLE, “He is a very reliable, strong person. She doesn’t feel isolated in this because of William, who is right beside her.” This sentiment was echoed by Princess Kate in her video message, where she described William as “a great source of comfort and reassurance.”
The couple’s 13th anniversary falls right after they celebrated their 12th with the release of another heartwarming photo showing them biking together with their arms around each other. Capturing the essence of their loving bond, this image was taken by photographer Matt Porteous in the Norfolk countryside.
Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk, is said to be where the family feels most content and at peace. It is part of the royal family’s Sandringham estate, and over the years, it has become the backdrop for many of their cherished family moments.
As they mark another year of marriage, the strength and unity of Prince William and Princess Kate’s relationship shine through, proving yet again that love and support are indeed the cornerstones of their partnership.
