Prince Philip's Cautionary Advice to Prince William Before Kate Middleton Proposal
Prince Philip reportedly issued a stern warning to his grandson, Prince William, before the future king proposed to Kate Middleton. According to royal biographer and editor Russell Myers, the former Duke of Edinburgh advised William not to rush into marriage too quickly. He urged him to give Kate ample opportunity to adjust to the demands of royal life, aiming to prevent the 'same curse' that plagued other royal marriages in the family.
The 'Royal Curse' of Failed Marriages
In his new book, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, Myers claims that Philip warned William against succumbing to the same pattern that saw the marriages of his own children—Charles, Anne, and Andrew—end in separation and divorce. These marital breakdowns significantly impacted both their lives and those of their grandchildren.
- Prince Charles and Princess Diana: Married in 1981, their relationship unraveled due to incompatibility, a large age gap, intense media pressure, and rumored mutual infidelity. They separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996, sharing children William and Harry.
- Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips: Divorced in 1992 after 19 years of marriage and two children. Their relationship ended officially in 1989, with rumors of infidelity, including a DNA test in 1991 confirming Phillips fathered a child with another woman in 1985.
- Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson: Married in 1986, they had two daughters before separating in 1992 and divorcing in 1996.
Notably, 1992 was dubbed an 'annus horribilis' (horrible year) by Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting the turmoil of these royal breakups. A common thread in all three relationships was the rapid progression from engagement to marriage and children, a trend typical of the era but fraught with challenges.
Prince Philip's Forward-Thinking Guidance
Myers suggests that Prince Philip, who was famously married to Queen Elizabeth for 73 years, was ahead of his time in matters of the heart. The royal expert alleges that Philip was a 'huge supporter' of William's decision to delay taking on full-time royal duties. He reportedly backed William in taking his time to ensure absolute confidence in his relationship with Catherine before making such a life-altering decision.
Prince William eventually proposed to Kate in 2010, nine years after they first met and seven years after they transitioned from friends to partners. In their engagement interview, William explained his reasoning, stating he wanted to give Kate time to 'back out' if needed. He emphasized the importance of allowing her and her family to understand the realities of royal life before committing.
Kate respected this approach, noting she was 'so glad' for the time to learn the ropes and decide if a public-facing royal life was truly what she wanted.
A Successful Royal Love Story
Fifteen years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales—now parents to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—remain happily married. They are widely regarded as the greatest example of a successful royal love story. A 2026 YouGov poll confirms their popularity, with 74 to 77% of Brits holding a positive opinion of them, solidifying their status as the most popular royals.
