A year after engagement, Will and Kate still fascinate

All this rooting for a royal baby makes it hard to believe the whole thing started only a year ago.

It was 2010 and, like a bunch of meddling grandmas, royal watchers around the world had been buzzing for months about a big announcement: Would Prince William, whose on-again, off-again romance with pretty brunette Kate Middleton had been subjected to moment-by-moment chronicling, finally make her a royal bride?

On Nov. 16, 2010, the world got its answer: Yes!

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William had popped the question a month before, on a vacation in Kenya. The couple appeared in St. James’s palace for the official announcement. Official photos were taken by Mario Testino and the ring revealed to be a very special one: Will had given Kate the oval sapphire-and-diamond ring picked out by his mother , Princess Diana, in 1981.

For many, that palace press conference was the first chance to hear Kate's voice in public. "Hopefully, I will take it in my stride," she said of her future royal life.

Almost immediately, the speculation started swirling: Where would they hold the wedding? And when? What would Kate wear? It would be a good six months before the world would get their answers in a lavish ceremony broadcast across the planet.

The event set an Internet record — on April 29, 2011, the ceremony was watched online by 72 million people — and set off a worldwide frenzy for information on Kate as well as Pippa, her hot, single sister . Reports even linked the younger Middleton to Prince Harry, and hopes for a royal wedding spin-off soared.

A year later, a new kind of rumor mill is churning, and like most nosy grannies, royal watchers have wasted no time in wondering about the newest additions to their favorite British family.

Despite the constant drumbeat of our inquiring minds, the couple is likely concentrating on another important upcoming event: In January, Prince William will report for duty to the Falklands, where he'll serve as a search-rescue pilot for England's Royal Air Force. The deployment will last six weeks, and family is not allowed to join soldiers in active duty.

Will is expected to make it home in time to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary.