From their red-carpet first meeting in 2010 to their marriage in 2014, the relationship between the Duchess of Cambridge and the English actor has been chronicled. Here, we take a look back at some of their best moments and highlights from a year that was unforgettable.
Red-Carpet Crush
In April 2010, as the Duchess of Cambridge was finalising her wedding dress, she was introduced to the world at large when she stepped out of a luxury vehicle at the London premiere of the new King’s Speech movie. After the film’s stars, Alec Baldwin and Helena Bonham Carter, presented her with a bouquet of flower, the crowds went wild and a love story was born.
Baldwin, who plays the titular role of King George, had previously starred with the Duchess in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump, which is why she was chosen to present her with the floral offering. The actor later said that the Duchess was the “most stunning woman” he had ever met and described their initial meeting as “one of the most memorable moments” of his life.
Becoming Engaged
Three years later, in January 2013, the couple became officially engaged after the Duchess attended a private lunch at Buckingham Palace to propose to the actor. The engagement was announced two months later during a private dinner at Windsor Castle. The Duchess’s father, Prince Edmund, said at the time that he was “delighted” to hear the proposal and added that the couple “completely understand” each other.
The couple’s engagement was followed by a year of celebrations that saw them share many a memorable moment with the public. In September 2013, they welcomed their first child, a son, into the world. Prince George was born in London at 2.24am, weighing in at eight pounds, three ounces.
Stunning Marriages
Just over a year later, in March 2014, the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The wedding was attended by close friends and family, as well as foreign dignitaries and heads of state. Among the bridesmaids were Rachel Weizfeld, who is described by Vanity Fair as the “most stylish woman in England,” and Tamara Beckwith, the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister.
The wedding day was characterised by opulence and extravagance. As the wedding cake was cut, Kate’s mother, Princess Margaret, said: “It’s a very happy event. The happy couple should look relaxed and happy.” And so they did. The newlywed couple spent their wedding night at the Dorchester Hotel in London and on March 5, 2014, started their married life with a family dinner at Kensington Palace.
The King And I
In October 2014, the Duchess starred in the musical adaptation of the 1947 film adaptation of The King And I. The show, which is based on the famous courtesans of 1950s London, had its premiere at the London Palladium and tells the story of Anna Leonowens, who travels from her native St Petersburg to Britain to become the British queen’s companion.
The Duchess was awarded the theatre award for Best Actress in a Musical at the 2016 Golden Globes, for her portrayal of Anna Leonowens.
In the show, she plays the role of Anna, who is described by the biographer L. Worsley as “a combination of qualities, neither quite English, nor quite Russian, but very chic and fashionable indeed.”
Despite the critical acclaim and box-office success of Anna, the Duchess has not appeared in a film since. In January 2020, however, she will reprise her role as the British queen in the upcoming film adaptation of the musical Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. The film, set for release in December 2020, will be the Duchess’s last appearance before her retirement.
Prince George’s First Birthday
On December 25, 2018, the Duchess gave birth to her and Prince Andrew’s first child, Prince George. The new royal baby was born at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, weighing in at eight pounds, seven ounces. George arrived via a royal caesarean section and was presented to the world by his father, Prince Andrew, as he came into the world. The Duchess received excellent feedback from her friends and family after giving birth. In turn, George’s health has been described as being “flawless,” which the Duchess attributes to her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who she says is “an amazing example of what a strong woman can achieve.” George now has a sibling, Princess Charlotte, who was born in April 2019.
The Duchess At A Glance
Annie Leung, CEO of Madame Tussaud’s London, describes Kate as “one of Britain’s most fashionable and inspiring women.” A profile in The Telegraph newspaper published in April 2019 noted that the Duchess has “a timeless beauty about her, which makes her a natural choice for a wax figure.”
If you’re considering visiting London and you want to catch a glimpse of the lovely Duchess of Cambridge, who will be retired in a few months, there are a number of places you can see her wax figure. Madame Tussaud’s wax figures reveal very little about the Duchess’s private life, but they do do her justice. The profile in The Telegraph describes her as follows: “She is regal, stylish and inspiring. A true Renaissance woman.”
Madame Tussaud’s London already has wax figures of a number of current and former British royalty, including Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II and King George, as well as French King Louis-Philippe and Italian King Umberto. If you’re visiting London and you want to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Duchess of Cambridge, you could do worse than head to Madame Tussaud’s.
Royal Indulgence
Since her marriage to Prince Andrew, the Duchess has largely remained out of the public eye. Aside from minor appearances at social events with her husband and child, the Duchess has kept a low profile in line with her preferred method of operation.
She is a firm believer in remaining private and away from the public’s prying eyes. She also credits the Queen for encouraging her to prioritise her family’s life over her own. The Duchess of Cambridge may be following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who has remained unmarried for more than 70 years.
If you’re reading this and you’re either a current or former royal, or you’ve been lucky enough to see the Duchess in the flesh and you want to share your experience with others, we’d love to hear from you!