The future king encouraged Kate “to breathe.”
Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William on February 9, 2023
The Gist
- Kate Middleton has never been a fan of public speaking, though she’s had to adapt to it because of her role in the royal family.
- After her engagement to Prince William was announced on November 16, 2010, the couple took part in a photocall followed by a nearly 18-minute long engagement interview.
- William soothed his anxious bride-to-be, who had reportedly been “dreading” the sit-down.
Just today, Kate Middleton gave a speech about early childhood development—perhaps the royal cause closest to her heart—but the Princess of Wales wasn’t always so keen on public speaking
Case in point? Her engagement interview on November 16, 2010 alongside Prince William, where they chatted with ITV’s Tom Bradby for nearly 18 minutes. Earlier that day, the pair had taken part in a photocall at St. James’s Palace, Kate’s sapphire blue Issa wrap dress perfectly offsetting the sapphire and diamond engagement ring that William had given her—the iconic ring that had once belonged to Princess Diana. After the photos were taken, it was time for the sit-down interview, which royal biographer Katie Nicholl wrote in her book Kate: The Future Queen that Kate had been “dreading.”
Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William on November 16, 2010
“Afterward, Mr. Bradby remembered her leaning back and sighing with relief, exclaiming, ‘I’m no good at this!’” Nicholl wrote, per The Daily Mail, which called this a “moment of panic” for Kate.
That same outlet later shared rare footage of William attempting to quell Kate’s nerves. Nicholl also described it in her book, writing, “William encouraged his anxious fiancée to ‘breathe.’”
Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William announcing their engagement 15 years ago
Nicholl also noted that Kate intentionally made a “point of placing her hands on her lap so that she didn’t fidget with her hair,” adding that the future queen “spoke beautifully in a cut-glass accent.”
“It’s really nice to finally be able to share it with everyone,” William said. “We’re like sort of ducks, very calm on the surface with little feet going under the water. It’s been really exciting. We’ve been talking about it for a long time so for us, it’s a real relief, and it’s really nice to be able to tell everybody.”
His sense of humor on full display, William joked that he’d be “quite happy when the interview’s over.”
Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William on November 16, 2010
Getty Images Prince Charles, Kate Middleton, and Prince William
When asked about his son’s engagement to Kate, King Charles—then Prince Charles—also had a quip on the tip of his tongue. As he stepped out for a royal engagement on the same day the engagement news was announced, Charles said that he was “obviously thrilled,” before adding of their nearly 10-year courtship, “They’ve been practicing long enough.”
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