William and Catherine: a stoic front to the highs and lows in their relationship

“Kate and William have been having ups and downs in their marriage like everyone else,” a source told US Weekly. “But they’re focused on their royal duties and doing that as a unit.” So do the royal couple have every-day problems and have to put on a united front in public? We take a deeper look at the highs and lows behind the scenes of the UK's royal couple.

As we all know, the past year generally has been a difficult time for the couple. One of the tough pills to swallow was, of course, the sad news of the death of the beloved Queen Elizabeth in Autumn 2022. Charles became King, and William and Kate became the Prince and Princess of Wales. Of course, William lost more than his Queen, he lost his grandmother and sent a shock wave through the royal family.

As William and Kate became the Prince and Princess of Wales, they showed astonishing support to each other in the grief that was surely ripping through the hearts of all in the royal family. An onlooker was quoted as saying: "They really seem to understand the nation has lost the Queen too - they're allowing us to grieve with them, all of them are going through a deeper level of grief than the public."

Of course, when the news hit of his grandmother's fast failing health on 8th September, William raced immediately up to Balmoral to be by her side. Kate, who presumably also would have made the journey with him in eagerness, must have thought about the impact this would have on their whole family and stayed behind to be there for her children when she picked them up from school.

William and Kate, like Her Late Majesty, have constantly put duty and family first. Their children, although sometimes understandably raucous in public (cue Louis at the jubilee!) are their main concern and they recently moved out them out of their London school to be in a more rural setting. The day their great-grandmother died was their first day at their new school.

For the couple's three children, it can be often hard to explain the countless trips away from home. In fact, according to People, William said, "They are always asking us where we are going... And we show them where we are on the map."

It is clear, however, from reports and photos from a number of publications over the years that the previous Duke and Duchess of Cambridge value the time they spend with their children and do bring them along when they can. But it is also important to fuel a relationship and William has just the remedy...

William brings Kate a gin and tonic after the children have been put down to bed. In December, a source told the Mirror that this helps Kate unwind after daytime - and bedtime! - duties. "William will bring Kate a gin and tonic. They look after each other, but in different ways."

William and Kate always showed up when her Majesty needed them. They welcomed the Queen home after covid, and they had moved closer to her residence. The couple didn't often fail to show up when needed by their family, showing unity and comfort in a strong marriage.

Prince William and Princess Catherine tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England. The marriage of the now-first in line to the British throne was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign Royal family members and heads of state.

Things weren't always rosy for them. The couple went so far as confirming a split in 2007 when their relationship took a rocky turn. It seems as though William was getting cold feet as the relationship was becoming more serious. The Queen was said to be disappointed by the breakup.

According to The Mirror, Kate admitted: “At the time, I wasn’t very happy about it, but it made me a stronger person... You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realised."

"I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you’re younger. I really valued that time for me as well, although I didn’t think it at the time."

The Mirror has also cited William as saying: "We were both very young… we were both finding ourselves and being dif­ferent characters. It was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up, so it was just a bit of space and it worked out for the better."

Many experts have studied the couple's body language and intimacy levels when photographed in public or spotted whilst going about private business. It is widely believed that their love is true and they really have developed a respect and understanding for each other. And even more so as time goes on.

A year ago, Hello magazine's Online Royal Correspondent Danielle Stacey commented on their growing love: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been able to spend more quality time together, possibly more than ever before, during the past year, and as we know, family is at the heart of everything William and Kate do."

Like most people who aren't royal, the couple like to care for and educate their children as well as be hands-on parents from the beginning. The photo shows the Duchess of Cambridge holding Prince George as he and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, look on while visiting the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum on July 2, 2014 in London.

They are obviously very loving parents and dote on their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. One would understand if William was trying to create the sense of 'parental unity' he had missed so much as a child.

Their beloved dog, Lupo died in November 2020. The couple said, "Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much." They got a new pup in January, a black cocker spaniel, and the children are even said to be pitching in with doggie duties. Family time is real for royals, too.

Even the royal family are allowed to get in the car and head off for a family day. In 2019 Kate, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte were spotted doing just that in Wokingham.

But of course life has changed a lot since they were spotted together before their engagement. Here they are carefree in 2007 at the RBS Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy at Twickenham.

Back in the day when they were able to have some kind of private life, they took to the slopes in 2008 in Klosters, Switzerland, to escape the press; although, clearly, didn't succeed.

The couple's holidays have indeed changed a lot over the years. From snow to sun to all kinds of culture, this couple soaks in the diversity and cultural offerings of the world. Here they are driving through the Kaziranga National Park on April 13, 2016 in Guwahati, India.

The pair were photographed arriving at Newborough in Wales in May 2019, and the couple look so relaxed whilst deep in conversation as they strolled through the densely wooded area. Completely at ease, the couple clearly enjoy taking the fresh air and chatting it all through.

It seems as though lockdown made the couple even closer. They spent a lot of their time motivating the public, speaking to children and their parents alike and enjoying their time together. In an interview, Kate said that he had been a huge source of support for her during the lockdown months especially.

They have been seen attending many sports events together over the years, whether spectating or, often, taking part. They shared this moment together at Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Velodrome on August 2, 2012 in London.

In fact, seen the same year as their alleged split, fresh faced Prince William and Kate Middleton cheered on the English team during the RBS Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy at Twickenham in February, 2007.

The couple do, however, disagree on one thing. Rugby. Of course, William has been patron of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016. "It's a good family rivalry," said the new Prince of Wales

As the new Princess of Wales, Kate must put aside rivalries. She is the patron of England's Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union.

George had attended a Wales/England match earlier this year with his parents (England won!), but it seems he'll be following dad on this one. Gary, from a farm the duke and duchess visited earlier this year, told him: "George is going to have to come on your side."

"Don't worry," replied William. "He's already there."

Wimbledon has always been a popular sporting event for royals in general, but specifically for William and Kate who have frequented the event on a number of occasions. Here they are in 2011 enjoying a moment together as they relax and enjoy the game.

Christmas time is normally for cosy fireside board games and eating too much. Not for William and Kate. In fact in 2018 (at the beginning of December) they attended a party for families and children of deployed personnel from RAF Coningsby and RAF Marham serving in Cyprus, at Kensington Palace. Do they ever get some alone time?

The following year was much more of a family event and Prince William, then-Duke of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Catherine, then-Duchess of Cambridge attended a Christmas lunch for members of the Royal Family.

Kate and her sister Pippa have been photographed a number of times together - mainly enjoying the good ol' days of London parties and black cabs. Despite her rank as a royal, Kate shows she always has the time to spend some quality sister moments 'away' from the eye of the press.

Of course, family is a tricky situation at the moment with William and Kate's relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle under scrutiny; and his uncle, Andrew, having been stripped of his titles after a scandalous, messy court case. Both have shown an incredible unity throughout the years as well as respect and support towards each other. They are Britain's new Prince and Princess of Wales and the heirs to the royal throne.