How Prince William, Kate Middleton’s Romance Was Affected By Charles, Diana’s Relationship

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s romance was affected by Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ relationship.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been married for eight years already. However, they have been together for almost two decades because their courtship lasted for almost a decade.

Prince William took his time before he popped the big question to Middleton. He was only 19 when he met Middleton at the University of St. Andrews in 2001 but he was already 28 when he proposed to her. They started as friends before they began dating.

When he was 22, there were rumors that he would be proposing to Middleton, but Prince William ended the rumors by saying that he was too young and would not get married until he is 28 or maybe 30.

According to royal expert Richard Kay, Prince William’s decision had something to do with his parents. He learned his lesson from Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship whose marriage ended in divorce.

“He’s trying to have it both ways,” Kay said.

“He saw what happened to his mother and also what happened to his father. His father made a catastrophic mistake in letting the woman he loved [Camilla] slip through his fingers 30 years ago and was miserable for years.… But on the other hand his mother married far too young, and he has not wanted to make the same mistake.”

Katie Nicholl had the same take why Prince William made Middleton wait long. The royal biographer felt that he didn’t want to face the same pressure Prince Charles did.

“He was reluctant to bow to similar pressure and vowed not to be hurried to the altar,” Nicholl wrote in her book “ The Making of a Royal Romance.”

Prince Charles was already in his 30s when he married Princess Diana. As the heir apparent, he was pressured to look for a suitable bride who will produce an heir and spare for him. Princess Diana was a virgin and she was an aristocrat, which made her perfect for the future king.

However, many believed that he didn’t really love the Princess of Wales. According to some sources, his heart has always been with Camilla Parker Bowles.