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A Royal Love Story: King Charles Remembers Prince William’s Proposal in Kenya
During a recent state banquet in Kenya, King Charles opened up about a cherished moment in royal history—the proposal of Prince William to Princess Catherine.
This heartfelt revelation came as part of the monarch's first official visit to a Commonwealth nation since ascending to the throne following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, the king took the opportunity to reflect on the deep-rooted connections between the British royal family and the African nation.
As he addressed the guests, King Charles reminisced about the picturesque backdrop of Mount Kenya, where his son, the Prince of Wales, chose to pop the question to his then-girlfriend, Kate Middleton, back in 2010.
“It was here, in sight of Mount Kenya, that my son proposed to his wife, now my beloved daughter-in-law,” he shared, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
The engagement news sent ripples through the media just weeks later when William and Kate sat down for their first joint interview.
They candidly discussed the moments leading up to the proposal, with Prince William admitting that it took considerable motivation to plan such an important event.
“I was planning it, and then it just felt really right out in Africa.
It was beautiful,” he recalled.
For Kate, the proposal was a complete surprise.
Reflecting on that day during the interview, she described it as a “total shock.”
Her words hinted at the romantic side of William, which she had come to appreciate over the years.
“There's a true romantic in there,” she noted, highlighting the special nature of their relationship.
Prince William has often spoken about the significance of Kenya in his life.
At a Buckingham Palace reception in January 2020, he reiterated this sentiment, stating, “The African continent holds a very special place in my heart.” He shared how the country was a backdrop for personal memories, including a trip he took with his brother shortly after their mother's tragic passing.
When it came time to choose the perfect location to propose, Kenya stood out as the ideal spot for William.