Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, is understood to have offered some prescient advice to his grandson, Prince William, ahead of his proposal to Kate Middleton. The seasoned royal reportedly urged William to proceed with caution, advising him to give Kate ample opportunity to acclimatise to the unique demands of royal life. This counsel, it is suggested, was aimed at preventing a recurrence of the marital difficulties that had affected several members of the Royal Family.
According to royal biographer and editor Russell Myers, Prince Philip’s concerns stemmed from the “same curse” that had led to the separations and divorces of his own children: Charles, Anne, and Andrew. These marital breakdowns had, in turn, cast a shadow over the lives of their children, including William.
A History of Royal Marital Struggles
To understand the context of Philip’s warning, it’s worth examining the royal marriages that preceded William and Kate’s.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana: Their 1981 wedding was a spectacular, fairytale event. However, the union eventually unravelled due to a combination of factors, including incompatibility, a significant age gap, immense media scrutiny, and alleged infidelity on both sides. The couple, who are parents to Prince William and Prince Harry, separated in 1992 and officially divorced in 1996.
Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips: This couple married in 1973 and had two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. Their marriage, however, lasted 19 years before they divorced in 1992. Reports of infidelity plagued their relationship, and in 1991, a DNA test confirmed that Captain Phillips had fathered a child with New Zealand art teacher Heather Tonkin in 1985.
Prince Andrew and Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson: The Duke and Duchess of York began their relationship in 1985, announcing their engagement in 1986 and marrying later that year. They welcomed daughters Princess Beatrice in 1988 and Princess Eugenie in 1990. Despite their family life, the couple separated in 1992 and officially divorced in 1996.
It’s noteworthy that 1992 was a particularly challenging year for royal marriages, so much so that the late Queen Elizabeth II famously described it as her “annus horribilis,” Latin for “horrible year.” A common pattern observed in these three unions was the relatively swift progression from engagement to marriage and the subsequent birth of children. While this rapid pace was not uncommon at the time, whether within royal circles or not, Prince Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth for an extraordinary 73 years, appears to have possessed a remarkably forward-thinking perspective on relationships.
Philip’s Support for William’s Deliberate Pace
Myers suggests that Prince Philip was a strong advocate for Prince William’s decision to delay taking on full-time royal duties. Furthermore, the Duke of Edinburgh reportedly supported his grandson’s desire to take his time in considering his relationship with Catherine. This allowed William to be absolutely certain before making what would be one of the most significant decisions of his life.
Prince William and Kate Middleton eventually announced their engagement in 2010, a significant nine years after they first met at the University of St Andrews. Their relationship had evolved from friendship to partnership seven years prior to the proposal.
During their engagement interview, Prince William candidly explained his rationale for waiting. He admitted that he wanted to ensure Kate had the opportunity to reconsider her commitment, understanding that marrying him meant not just joining the Royal Family but also accepting the substantial responsibilities associated with being the future monarch.
William elaborated, stating that he wanted to provide Kate and her family with the best possible guidance and a clear understanding of what life within the Royal Family entailed. He emphasised that his extended period of waiting was precisely to give her the chance to withdraw if she felt it was too overwhelming.
Kate, in the same interview, expressed her appreciation for William’s honesty. She acknowledged that the extended time had been invaluable, allowing her to learn the intricacies of royal life and to confirm that a public-facing role within the monarchy was genuinely what she desired.
Fast forward to the present day, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, now parents to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, remain happily married. Fifteen years after their engagement, their enduring relationship has become a benchmark for successful royal partnerships. Public opinion polls consistently reflect their popularity, with a significant majority of the British public holding a positive view of the couple. Their journey, marked by deliberation and mutual understanding, serves as a compelling testament to a modern royal love story.
