Prince William returned to social media for the first time since his wife, the former Kate Middleton, publicly shared on March 22 that she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer.
Kate revealed the health news in a moving video in which she also asked for “some time, space and privacy” for her family. Since then, the royal couple has taken a break from social media.
On April 10, William returned to their joint official X and Instagram accounts to post a brief message of his own honoring British soccer player Rachel Daly, who announced her retirement from international football.
William, who has been the president of the Football Association across the pond since 2005, celebrated Daly's career with a kind tweet on X.
“Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with @Lionesses, @RachelDaly3. Plenty more goals for Villa now! W,” he said.
He uploaded the same statement to their Instagram story.
The message marked the first comment William has made since his wife’s cancer diagnosis.
In her video about the “early stages” of her treatment, the princess mentioned her husband.
“This, of course, came as a huge shock and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this private for the sake of our young family,” Kate said.
“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance, too, as is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us,” she added.
The couple have been supporting each other for more than two decades. They were pictured together for the first time 20 years ago, launching the public's first glimpse of their royal romance.
The couple were spotted skiing together on the Swiss slopes in April 2004. At the time, Will and Kate were trying to keep their relationship under wraps, but the public went into a frenzy once The Sun published photos from their ski trip with the headline, “Finally...Wills Gets a Girl."
In the cover photo, Will and Kate were seen hitting the slopes together in matching red and black outfits.
Once the pics hit newsstands, a tabloid obsession for the couple quickly took off. Royal fans watched the couple's love story unfold right before their eyes. In 2011, Will and Kate got married and later welcomed their three kids: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
Read on to find a full timeline of William and Kate's relationship in their own words.
2002: William and Kate met in college
Prince William and the former Kate Middleton met while attending St. Andrews University — and thanks, in part, to a 2002 fashion show.
The future king first caught sight of Kate when she wore sheer see-through dress at a college fashion show called “The Art of Seduction." The dress was later auctioned off for more than $125,000 per People.
In their first joint interview together after their 2010 engagement, conducted with ITV News’s Tom Bradby, Kate said that she remembered William telling her that she actually turned "bright red" when she met him for the first time and "sort of scuttled off."
“(I was) feeling very shy about meeting you,” she said.
2002: Kate and William become 'very close friends'
After their first encounter, the pair became "very close friends," William said in their first joint interview after their engagement.
“We were friends for over a year first,” William explained. “It just sort of blossomed from then on.”
“(We) realized we shared the same interests,” he added. “(We) just had a really good time.”
William and Kate move in together
“We moved in together as friends,” William said in his first joint interview with Kate since their engagement, adding, “We lived with a couple of others, as well, and it just sort of blossomed from there, really, we just saw more of each other, hung out a bit more and did stuff.”
Kate also talked about their early days together when she filmed "A Berry Royal Christmas" with baking expert Mary Berry in 2019.
According to Insider, Kate said that William used to "cook all sorts of meals" for them when they were in their "university days."
"I think that’s when he was trying to impress me, Mary,” Kate said. “Things like Bolognese sauce and things like that.”
However, in the book "A Taste of Home," William admitted that his cooking skills are subpar.
“When I was trying to impress Kate, I was trying to cook these amazing, fancy dinners and all that would happen was that I would burn something, something would over spill, something would catch on fire. And she’d be sitting in the background just trying to help and basically taking control of the whole situation. So I was quite glad she was there at the time,” William wrote.
William and Kate briefly break up
William confirmed that he and Kate briefly broke up in their early stages of dating during their first joint interview.
“We did split up for a bit, but that was just, we were both very young, it was at university, and we were both sort of defining ourselves as such and being different characters and stuff,” he said. “It was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up.”
October 2010: Kate and William get engaged
In October 2010, William popped the question to Kate during a private holiday in Kenya, Clarence House announced in a statement.
Clarence House also announced that Prince William "informed the queen and other close members of his family" of their engagement and he "sought the permission of Miss Middleton’s father" before he asked for his girlfriend's hand in marriage.
As for the ring? Buckingham Palace confirmed that William gave Kate his late mother Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring.
Giving it to her was “my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today,” William said at a press conference, according to The Guardian, adding that the engagement ring was "very special" to him.
“The timing is right now, we are both very, very happy," he said. "We both have a very good sense of humor and we take the mickey out of each other a lot.”
April 2011: William and Kate get married
In April 2011, onlookers watched as Kate and William walked down the aisle together at Westminster Abbey in London.
For their nuptials, Kate wore a gown designed by Sarah Burton with lengthy sleeves and a long train.
On that same day, Queen Elizabeth II gave William and her new granddaughter-in-law new royal titles: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
After their wedding, William and Kate jetted off to Seychelles in East Africa for their honeymoon.
July 2011: Kate and William move into Kensington Palace
In July 2011, Kate and William made their big move into Kensington Palace, their first official royal home as a couple.
The couple chose to move into a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in the Hyde Park-enclosed palace.
The duo stayed there for a few months before they moved into a larger apartment in Kensington Palace, which was last occupied by the queen's late sister Princess Margaret, according to People.
The outlet reported that their new space was the size of a "small mansion," which is perfect for them to start a family. In 2022, they relocated to a house on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
December 2012: Kate and William announce they're expecting their first child
In December 2012, palace officials happily announced that Kate was pregnant with her first child with William.
While pregnant with George, Kate was hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe type of morning sickness.
July 2013: William and Kate welcomes Prince George
In July 2013, William and Kate became parents when they welcomed their first child, son Prince George Alexander Louis.
A statement released at the time said that George would be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, and that he was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London at 4:24 p.m. local time.
During a 2020 interview on the “Happy Mum, Happy Baby” podcast, Kate said that she didn't know if she was going to have a boy or a girl.
“It was a surprise,” she said, according to Insider. “But also seeing … you know, your husband, William ... seeing the pure joy of his face, it was really special.”
September 2014: William and Kate announce they're expecting another child a year later
In September 2014, Kensington Palace announced that Kate and William were expecting their second child. "The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the palace said in a statement.
As with her first pregnancy, Kate experienced hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme pregnancy sickness.
On May 2, 2015 at 8:34 a.m. local time, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born at 8:34 a.m. local time at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital, per NBC News.
After their little girl was born, NBC News reported that William left the hospital in the afternoon and returned a little while later with Prince George.
“How’s your daughter? How’s she doing?” a woman in the crowd yelled to him, according to the outlet.
“I am very happy, thank you,” William responded.
September 2017: Kate becomes pregnant with baby No. 3 in 2017
In September 2017, Kensington Palace announced that Kate and William were going to expand their family once again.
"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the palace said in a statement.
“As with her previous two pregnancies, The Duchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum,” the statement continued.
In a 2020 interview on Giovanna Fletcher’s “Happy Mum, Happy Baby“ podcast, Kate talked about the morning sickness she experienced in her pregnancies and said she’s never been the “happiest of pregnant people.”
“Lots of people have it far, far worse. It was definitely a challenge. Not just for me, but also for your loved ones around you and I think that’s the thing — being pregnant and having a newborn baby and things like that, impacts everybody in the family,” she said.
“William didn’t feel he could do much to help and it’s hard to see you’re suffering without actually being able to do anything about it,” Kate continued.
April 2018: William and Kate welcome Louis in 2018
In April 2018, William and Kate welcomed their third child, a son named Louis, at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. At the time of his birth, Louis weighed 8 pounds and 7 ounces, the palace confirmed.
"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well," Kensington Palace said.
Shortly after he was born, his siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, came to visit him at the hospital.
April 2021: William and Kate celebrate their 10-year anniversary
The couple commemorated their 10-year anniversary on Instagram, posting a clip of them and their kids having fun together outside. In the caption, they thanked their fans for all the "kind messages" they received on their special day.
"We are enormously grateful for the 10 years of support we have received in our lives as a family," the caption read.
August 2022: The family moves to Windsor
William, Kate and their three kids moved to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor’s Home Park in August 2022, according to London’s PA Media.
September 2022: William and Kate get new royal titles
After Queen Elizabeth II's death, William's father, King Charles III — formerly known as Prince Charles — rose to the throne and announced that William and Kate would inherit the titles of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In his first public statement issued after her death, William wrote that he was "incredibly grateful" for his grandmother.
“I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade,” he wrote. “My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.”
“I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” the statement continued.
February 2023: William and Kate match at the BAFTAs
In February, William and Kate dazzled fans when they walked the red carpet at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), both wearing black-and-white outfits.
For the event, William wore a black velvet tuxedo, while Kate opted for a white Alexander McQueen gown that she originally wore to the BAFTAs in 2019.
April 2023: William and Kate celebrate their 12-year wedding anniversary
In April 2023, William and Kate celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary when they shared a photo of themselves riding bikes together on Instagram.
In the caption they wrote, "12 years ❤️."
May 2023: William and Kate attend King Charles III's coronation
In May 2023, William, Kate and their kids attended the coronation of King Charles III, where Charles was crowned the new monarch.
The day kicked off with Charles and Camilla’s procession to Westminster Abbey, then the coronation ceremony at the church and the procession back to Buckingham Palace.
At the palace, the royal family headed to the balcony where they waved to onlookers and watched the Royal Air Force perform a pared-down fly-over in the area.
December 2023: William and Kate release their Christmas card
Kate and William shared a family photo for their 2023 Christmas card.
The photo shows the couple posing with their three children in Windsor. According to a press release from Kensington Palace, the Christmas card photo was shot by photographer Josh Shinner in early 2023.
“Our family Christmas card for 2023,” the family shared on their official X account.
January 2024: Kate gets abdominal surgery
On Jan. 16, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had undergone “planned abdominal surgery."
“The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery," they said in a statement. "Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
The Palace added that it would only provide updates that were “significant" and they did not say why Kate needed the surgery. However, they did tell NBC News that Kate does not have cancer.
King Charles III's cancer diagnosis was announced in February.
William attends their BAFTAs, other 2024 events solo
William has attended various events solo while the Princess of Wales recovers from surgery.
On Feb. 18, William arrived at the 2024 BAFTAs without Kate by his side.
On the red carpet, William was photographed wearing a navy blue velvet tuxedo jacket over a white button-down shirt. He completed the look with a pair of black pants and a black bowtie.
In March, he attended the Diana Legacy Awards, dedicated to his mother; a meeting of the Homewards Sheffield Local Coalition; played basketball at youth at London’s OnSide Youth Zone WEST facility; the Earthshot Prize in London and more.
March 2024: Kate's visible absence sparks concern and controversies
By March 2024, speculation around the whereabouts of Kate and her health status continued to mount as the days between her last public sighting — Christmas Day 2023 — stretched on. Then, on March 10, Kensington Palace celebrated Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom by releasing a photo of Kate alongside her three children. Within hours, though, the Associated Press announced that it had pulled the image from its website after noticing that “the source has manipulated the image.” Soon after, other outlets followed suit, prompting a response from the palace signed by Kate, who apologized for "confusion" and admitted to editing the image.
March 2024: Kate shares she is being treated for cancer
Twelve days after the Mother’s Day photo that launched a thousand conspiracy theories, the princess appeared in a new video updating the public on her health. In the clip, the royal family member announced that she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
"This, of course, came as a huge shock," she said in the video. "William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family."
“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance,” she also said.
