Prince William and Kate Middleton
Prince William is said to have proven his love, once again, to Kate Middleton after fulfilling a promise. (Photo: Samir Hussein/Pool via REUTERS)

Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on April 29 by sharing a previously unseen photograph from their special day. The stunning black-and-white portrait, captured by photographer Millie Pilkington, shows the smiling couple standing together, with Kate holding her bridal bouquet of lily of the valley, Queen Elizabeth's favorite flower.

In the photo, Kate radiates in Queen Elizabeth's Cartier Halo Tiara and her iconic white V-neck gown with lace overlay designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Prince William, who had changed out of his red Irish Guards tunic worn during the ceremony, is seen in the black uniform of the Blues and Royals.

Pilkington, who recently photographed King Charles and Queen Camilla for their coronation anniversary and has taken birthday portraits of William and Kate's children, expressed her excitement and honor at the couple's decision to share the image. "Wishing the @princeandprincessofwales the very happiest wedding anniversary. Can't believe it is 13 years ago almost to the hour, that I took this portrait," she wrote on her Instagram.

 

Westminster Abbey, where the royal couple exchanged vows in 2011, also celebrated their anniversary by sharing a video of the newlyweds leaving the London landmark amidst cheering crowds and ringing bells. The couple, who met as students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2001, were granted the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by Queen Elizabeth on their wedding day.

The anniversary comes shortly after Prince William resumed public duties following Princess Kate's announcement that she is undergoing treatment for cancer. In a self-written speech released on March 22, the Princess of Wales shared that post-operative tests after her abdominal surgery in January had revealed the presence of cancer. The royal couple took time to explain the situation to their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 6, in an age-appropriate manner and to reassure them that their mother would be okay.

A longtime family friend told PEOPLE that Prince William has been a pillar of strength for his wife during this challenging time. "He is a very reliable, strong person. She doesn't feel isolated in this because of William, who is right beside her," the friend said, echoing Princess Kate's sentiment that her husband is "a great source of comfort and reassurance" amid her treatment.

The couple's strong bond and the support of their close-knit family have been instrumental in helping them navigate this difficult period. "This is about supporting her and her feeling supported. It is a joint effort. She doesn't feel isolated at all," the insider revealed. "The nuclear family that they have created so well is an immense support not only to him but to Catherine too."

Last year, the royal couple marked their 12th wedding anniversary by releasing a photo of themselves riding bicycles with their arms around each other. The image, taken by photographer Matt Porteous in the Norfolk countryside in 2022, was part of a series of pictures captured of the family at their country home, Anmer Hall, where Kate is said to feel most at home.