Kate Middleton Says Prince William Won't Buy Her Roses For Valentine's Day, Florist Reveals

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. But it seems Prince Williams will steer clear of tradition — one commonly practiced during the annual romance holiday.

While Kate Middleton was touring around the Kirkgate Market in Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England on Tuesday, during the launch of her Shaping Up campaign, she stopped by florist Neil Ashcroft's shop and admired his display of flowers, Independent reported.

The 41-year-old Princess of Wales ended up chatting with the florist about the upcoming Valentine's Day. During their conversation, the seller asked Middleton, "William will be buying you some roses?" and offered her a discount.

But the princess quipped, "I don't think he will do," after Ashcroft presented her with her favorite bouquet of hyacinths and suggested that the 40-year-old Prince of Wales buy her roses.

The now-first in line to the throne has been actively supporting his wife, Middleton, as she launches one of her landmark projects, the Shaping Us campaign. It aims to highlight the importance of formative years in a child's life, India's Economic Times reported, citing multiple reports. The project is in collaboration with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood at BAFTA in central London.

The Princess of Wales appeared in a video message to mark the launch this week, where she also explained the significance of the project.

"Our early childhood, the time from pregnancy to the age of five, fundamentally shapes the rest of our lives," Middleton said, according to the Independent. "But as a society, we currently spend much more of our time and energy on later life."

She continued, "Today, the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood is launching a new campaign, Shaping Us, to raise awareness of the life-changing impact we can have when we build a supportive, nurturing world around children and those who care for them."

During the outing, the princess met with a group of people involved with Child Friendly Leeds, a 2012-launched initiative designed to encourage the citizens of Leeds to reform the city into a place that gives children the privilege to grow in a better environment, the outlet noted.

She also visited the University of Leeds and joined in on a discussion with students from the childhood studies program. Middleton even talked to one student about his dissertation on how the pandemic affected schools and families.

Middleton said the Covid-19 pandemic has led to "massive challenges for children about speech and language development and social skills."

"They haven't had the opportunities that the film shows are needed," she added.

Middleton and Prince William have been busy pursuing different royal activities. But that's not why the latter would opt not to give his wife flowers this year.

For Valentine's Day last year, the Prince of Wales had already surprised Middleton with a bouquet.

"William surprised Kate with a huge box of 50 roses on Valentine's Day," an unnamed insider told Us Weekly at the time. "He handwrote the most romantic message in his card, praising her for being such a wonderful wife and mother."

The couple's three children, 9-year-old Prince George, 7-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 4-year-old Prince Louis, even joined in on the special occasion, giving their parents "handmade" Valentine's cards they made at school.

Middleton and Prince William tied the knot in April 2011 at Westminster Abbey after eight years of dating. The royal couple met in 2001 as college students while attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Great Britain.