Special anniversary:

20 years ago, “William finally had a girl”

William and Kate on a skiing vacation in Klosters in 2008.

(Bild: www.VIENNAREPORT.at)

"Having William by my side is a great comfort and a source of confidence." Princess Kate said this about her husband when she made her cancer public before Easter. 

In good times and bad, the two stand by each other, as promised at the altar in April 2011. This week, however, the two are celebrating another special love anniversary.

The commoners
Namely the moment 20 years ago when they let the world know that the heir to the British throne William and a 22-year-old commoner named Kate Middleton were a couple.

Of course, they had secretly been together before. But this was when things got serious, so to speak.

In 2004, Kate was photographed for the first time - here the following year - skiing in Klosters as Prince William's girlfriend.

(Bild: www.VIENNAREPORT.at / SIPA)

"At last ..."
Back then, they were photographed smiling and cuddling up to each other on a ski lift up the slope in the Swiss ski resort of Klosters.

On April 1, 2004, the British newspaper "The Sun" published the picture as exclusive world news with the headline "At last ... Wills is having a girl."

Cancer
Looking back, it is now clear that any concerns about William's romantic delay were hopelessly misplaced. 

Because the pictures clearly show the same closeness and care that the couple still show two decades later. Especially now, in such difficult times. 

The Princess addressed the public on March 22 with a video in which she announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer following her abdominal surgery in January and would have to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy.

She explained that she needed time to come to terms with the shock and explain the situation to her children in a way they could understand.

Recovery in the foreground
After the publication, the Princess retreated to her country estate in Norfolk with her children and Prince William, who is currently not attending any appointments in order to be with his family.

The Easter vacations in the UK last longer. A time that the young family needs. 

Kate has already started chemotherapy. The palace has not given a timeframe for recovery. In her speech, however, the Princess looked forward to "returning as soon as I am able. But for now, I need to focus fully on my recovery," she explained. 

Kate asked that her privacy and that of her family be respected. At the same time, she encouraged other cancer patients not to lose hope. "To everyone who is facing this disease, in whatever form, please don't lose faith or hope. You are not alone," she said.

From university acquaintance to marriage in the spotlight - here is a short timeline of Prince William and Princess Kate's love story:

2001: Prince William and Kate Middleton meet while studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

2002-2003: Their friendship develops into a romantic relationship, which they initially keep secret from the public.

2004: The first paparazzi photos of the couple appear.

2007: After a few brief separations brought about by public pressure and their different lives, the two get back together.

2010: Prince William asks for Kate's hand in marriage during a trip to Kenya.

2011: On April 29, the two marry at Westminster Abbey in London. The fairytale wedding is watched by millions of people worldwide.

The couple married on April 29, 2011 in London's Westminster Abbey.

(Bild: KERIM OKTEN / EPA / picturedesk.com)

2013: The birth of their first son, Prince George, heralds a new chapter in their love story.

2015: Princess Charlotte is born and the family grows.

2018: Prince Louis, their third child, completes the family.

2024: Princess Kate has cancer and undergoes chemotherapy

Prince William and Princess Kate are one of the most popular couples in the world. They represent the British monarchy with grace and modernity and are committed to various charitable causes. 

Their love story is an example of a deep and enduring bond that withstands all the adversities of public life and the sympathy for their fate is overwhelming.