Royal fans’ memories of the day the Prince and Princess of Wales announced their engagement will last a lifetime.
On November 16, 2010, a blushing Prince William formally presented his future bride to the world, who had previously been his university sweetheart. As William and Catherine conducted press interviews from the State Apartments at St. James’s Palace, she looked stunning in a royal blue Issa dress.
Her stunning engagement ring—the late Princess Diana’s oval diamond and Ceylon sapphire ring—was perfectly matched with her form-fitting wrap dress.
Royal photographer Arthur Edwards remembered how anxious the future Princess of Wales was, despite the fact that the royal couple appeared happy and bright-eyed for their engagement photoshoot.
The photographer claims that Catherine was so anxious that her hand was shaking when he tried to get a close-up of her stunning sapphire ring. William’s hand is visible in the picture to steady it.
“Her hand was shaking because she was so anxious. In order for me to take a picture of it, he had to hold her hand steady,” the photographer shared on Instagram under the handle @uk_royal_follower.
During their engagement photocall, William discussed the meaning of the ring, saying, “It’s very special, as Kate is very special. It’s my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement.”
Royal fans have previously observed Catherine’s premarital anxiety. Recently, a video of the couple’s engagement interview went viral on TikTok. It shows Catherine being asked about her feelings about joining the royal family as a working member.
“It’s obviously nerve-wracking because I don’t know what I’m doing – I sort of don’t know the ropes really,” the mother-of-three can be heard saying, stumbling over her words as she fights her nerves.
“I’m willing to learn quickly and work hard,” she smiles, to which William chimes in: “She’ll do really well.”
At the same time, William pats his wife’s thigh and gently squeezes her knee. Fans were quick to notice the Princess’ “nerves” and William’s “reassuring leg pat,” rushing to the comments of the now-viral post to share their thoughts on the romantic moment.