The moment Prince William was confronted with an awkward question about Princess Kate has gone viral after footage from a palace photo call given to mark the announcement of the couple’s engagement resurfaced on social media site TikTok.
The early formation of William and Kate’s relationship became the subject of increased public fascination in 2023 after it was dramatized in the final season of Netflix’s hit royal drama The Crown.
The couple met in 2001 during their first year studying at St Andrew’s University in Scotland. They both took the art history degree course, with William eventually switching to take geography.
Soon after meeting they began dating, and in 2004 their relationship became public after photos of the couple skiing were published by the British press. Kate became William’s established long-term girlfriend and after a brief separation in 2007 they headed towards marriage.
On November 16, 2010, nearly a decade after meeting, their engagement was announced by King Charles III (at the time Prince of Wales) from Clarence House. The event was widely celebrated and was marked with Kate’s first official photo call alongside her future husband at St James’s Palace in London.
Uploaded to TikTok by user princessmiddleton_ on August 6, the moment William was asked why it took him “so long to propose” has been viewed over 130,000 times on the social media site, so far.
The couple stood arm in arm in the state apartments of the palace, with Kate wearing her newly presented sapphire and diamond engagement ring that had formerly belonged to Princess Diana.
As they posed for photos they also took some off-handed questions from the press.
“Prince William, why did it take you so long to propose?” they asked, adding: “And Catherine, did you ever worry that he actually wasn’t going to pop the question?”
To this, both royals offered an awkward laugh, with William responding: “Well, in answer to that Tim I, uh, don’t remember how many years it’s been…forgetful memory…I also didn’t realize it was a race otherwise I would have probably been a lot quicker.”
Taking a more serious tone, William then suggested that it had not been a decision he had wanted to rush into.
“The timing is right now,” he said. “We’re both very, very happy and I’m very glad that I have done it.”
The TikTok post also includes footage from high profile engagements throughout William and Kate’s marriage. The couple celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary this year on April 29.
Captioned: “They are literally perfect for each other ❤️ also William answered that question perfectly 😂,” the post has received in excess of 9,000 likes and numerous comments so far, many of which have praised the couple.
“I can’t cope with how perfect these two are together 🥰,” wrote one user.
“Beautiful couple 🥰,” posted another, with a further comment reading: “The way he speaks about his Princess
