Prince William feared marriage and it almost cost him Kate Middleton — Royal expert reveals why

The Prince of Wales, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton-- the Princess of Wales, have always gained much admiration from people for their love and respect for each other. From college-sweethearts to lifelong partners, William and Kate's royal love story has evolved over the years and the couple are now proud parents to three beautiful children. However, before getting married to Kate, though Prince William knew that she was the the woman he wanted to spend his life, he first had to overcome his hesitation about settling down, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl.

As revealed in Marie Claire on June 29, the future King, now 43, made a heartfelt promise to Kate during a romantic trip to Desroches Island in 2007, shortly after they rekindled their relationship following a high-profile breakup. This was before Prince William officially proposed to Kate.


In her book titled 'The Making of a Royal Romance', Nicholl writes, “William, who inherited a fear of commitment from his father, understood he would lose Kate if he didn’t offer her some form of assurance.”

Though he wasn’t yet ready for marriage, William expressed his deep commitment during the getaway. A close friend shared, “William promised Kate he wouldn’t let her down. She agreed to wait for him.”


The couple, who met in 2001 while studying at the University of St. Andrews, dated for nearly a decade before getting engaged in November 2010. William proposed during a trip to Kenya, offering Kate Princess Diana’s iconic sapphire engagement ring.


He later reflected on the emotional moment in an interview with ITV:
“It takes a certain amount of motivation to propose, but it just felt right in Africa. It was beautiful. The ring was my way of keeping my mother close to it all.”


The couple married in a globally televised ceremony at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Since then, they’ve built a beautiful family together, raising three children: Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7).


Through highs and lows, William and Kate have stood strong—including one of their biggest challenges yet. In 2024, the Princess of Wales bravely announced her cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, in January 2025, she shared the uplifting news that she is now in remission.


William and Kate’s journey from college sweethearts to beloved royals has been full of devotion, challenges, and quiet strength. Their bond is a powerful reminder that true love is not just about fairy-tale proposals—but about patience, trust, and standing by each other through everything life brings.