By Katherine Tinsley
11:53am PST, Jan 16, 2026
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In 2008,
Prince William joined the Royal Armed Forces, which led to Kate Middleton and the royal pushing back their engagement.
"With that single decision, Kate's life was turned upside down. She had expected a proposal once William had completed his military training, but instead, she was forced to accept that there would be no engagement any time soon. Kate would have to wait even longer," royal biographer
Katie Nicholl wrote in
Kate: The Future Queen.
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"Was Kate prepared to join him? She supported his desires and ambitions, but privately, she was crushed," Katie Nicholl continued. "William was asking her to be an army wife — without the nuptials. Her frustration was understandable."
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For Kate Middleton,
Prince William's time in the military was a setback, as there were rumors that the future king was planning on proposing prior to entering the military.
Katie Nicholl later claimed that
Carole Middleton became "jittery" over her son-in-law's decision.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton wed in 2011, and the couple later welcomed their three kids,
Prince George,
Princess Charlotte and
Prince Louis. At public engagements, William often praises Kate.
"Behind every average man is an even better wife," William gushed while in Northern Ireland on a solo trip, per
Daily Mail.
