With the royal wedding just days away, are you only now interested in Prince William and Kate Middleton's backstory? No worries, we'll catch you up to speed on everything you need to know -- from their meeting 10 years ago to the day he placed his mother's engagement ring on the finger of his own bride-to-be.
They Meet
In September 2001, the royal and Middleton meet at St Andrews University in Scotland, where they both are taking art history classes. (She graduated with a degree in the subject; he ended up with a geography degree.)
The Dress That Started It All
The prince catches Middleton at a charity fashion show in March 2002 wearing a see-through lace dress over a black bra and bikini bottoms. It's said to have been the moment he suddenly became interested in her as more than just a friend.
They Move In Together
But just as friends! At the beginning of their second year at school in September 2002, they move in to a house with two other friends, though Middleton is dating another student, Rupert Finch (who reportedly is invited to the wedding!).
It's Official
After Middleton's breakup with Finch, she is said to start dating the royal in December 2003.
The Photo Seen 'Round the World
In March 2004, the prince and princess-to-be are photographed skiing together in Switzerland, one of the first times they are publicly linked romantically.
They Graduate
In June 2005, the duo finishes college at St Andrews. She gets a job as an accessories buyer for a clothing store and then goes on to work at her family's party-planning business, which she later quits after her engagement. The prince takes a series of internships before joining the military, where he became a helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force. Middleton also meets William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at the prince's graduation from Sandhurst as an Army officer in December 2006.
They Breakup
On April 14, 2007, the prince and Middleton are confirmed to have split, reportedly after growing apart.
...And Get Back Together
By June 2007, they are seen kissing and dancing together at a party.
Meeting the Queen
Sans her prince, Middleton attends the May 2008 wedding of Peter Phillips, the Queen's eldest grandchild. The fact that Middleton attended the wedding on the prince's behalf (he was in Kenya for another wedding) sparks speculation of a forthcoming engagement announcement.
Going Strong
By 2009, the couple have been together 7 years and are photographed at various private and public events together, earning Middleton the nickname "Waity Katie" in the British press.
The Engagement
And then, in October 2010, the moment we'd all been waiting for: The couple get engaged during a vacation in Kenya, after the prince asked for permission from Middleton's father. He gives her the same diamond and sapphire engagement ring that Prince Charles gave to William's mother, Princess Diana. However, the engagement isn't officially announced until November 16.
The Date Is Set...
...For April 29, 2011, at 11 a.m. GMT at Westminster Abbey in London. Meanwhile, the world gobbles up all the details of their wedding planning, from news of their bachelor and bachelorette parties to speculation over whether or not the couple should sign a prenup.
Next Steps
A baby in 2012? Maybe, maybe not. What we do know is that all eyes will be on Middleton's tummy for the next couple of years -- in fact, they already are!
Hooked now? Check out our complete coverage of the lead-up to the nuptials, and on the day of, join us at 6 a.m. to watch the wedding live and chat with iVillage editors, TV personalities and more.
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/prince-william-kate-middleton-romance-timeline/1-a-339861
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