Prince William, Kate Shared Their Engagement News With This Person First, Not Queen

Prince William asked for Kate Middleton’s hand in marriage in 2010. And after she said yes, the royal couple didn’t share the news with Queen Elizabeth II.

Rather, the news of their engagement was shared with another individual due to an acceptable reason. In an article she wrote for Vanity Fair, royal expert Katie Nicholl revealed that the second in line to the throne proposed to Middleton while they were in Kenya.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stayed at a log cabin owned by Jecca Craig’s parents, Ian and Jane Craig. Jecca was one of Prince William’s girlfriends. And since the proposal took place there, the couple shared the news with the Craigs first before telling the Queen and Prince Charles about it.

“Back at the cabin, on the veranda, William made Kate the happiest girl in the world by getting down on one knee and proposing. With the magnificent lake glistening nearby and not another soul to witness the magical moment, Kate likely felt that every year she had waited was worth it all for this. William had already arranged for a bottle of champagne to be put on ice at the cabin,” Nicholl said.

Nicholl said that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge swore the Craigs to secrecy at that time because they didn’t want their engagement to be publicized just yet. Prince William then invited Middleton’s parents to go hunting in Balmoral.

While there, Prince William informed Michael Middleton that he wants to propose to his girlfriend, and he gave him his approval. “In the tartan-furnished drawing-room, which is exactly as the late Queen Mother left it, he asked Michael for permission to marry Kate,” Nicholl said. Prince William also swore Michael into secrecy at that time.

Shortly after, Prince William and Middleton’s engagement was announced to the entire world. The couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.