Life brings unpredictable ups and downs, which for the Prince and Princess of Wales has only proven to be a testament to their 15-year marriage.
In recent years, the future Queen has given birth to three beautiful children and overcome cancer, with her husband, Prince William, by her side, and their connection has never appeared stronger.
But what is the secret to their unbreakable bond? Speaking on the live recording of A Right Royal Podcast filmed at Quaglino's, royal author Ingrid Seward gave the audience an insight into the senior royals' relationship, while promoting her new book Catherine & Diana.
"I think what the great thing was was that she and William were very good friends before they became lovers," Ingrid tells the audience. "She was, in a way, his sounding board. During, I think it was their first vacation from university, he drove to take Catherine out. He drove to her house in Bucklebury and he took her to the local pub, and they had a long, long chat."
Ingrid explained: "I can't remember the exact timing. But they were very good friends, and she listened to him and she advised him, and she said, 'Look, if you're not happy doing History of Art, you know, try to do something else. Do Geography or something,' which is what he did. She was such a good friend."
© GettyIngrid added that at the time, Kate had another, very handsome boyfriend, proving their relationship started as a strong friendship first.
"At the time had a very handsome boyfriend. So, it was very gradual, and I think that was what has really stuck them together. I think she just helped him hugely and, in turn, much later, he was able to help her."
The Prince and Princess of Wales' love story
The couple first met while studying Art History at Scotland's University of St Andrews. Reflecting on their initial meeting during their engagement interview, Catherine admitted to William that she turned bright red and timidly slipped away out of shyness.
Because William missed Freshers' Week and was often away early on, it took some time for them to connect, but they soon formed a close friendship. Their relationship remained platonic until 2002, when Catherine reportedly caught William’s eye while modeling the iconic sheer dress for student a charity fashion show. William eventually switched his major to Geography in his second year.
© GettyThree years later, in 2004, the pair were photographed for the first time in public when Kate joined William for a holiday with the royals at the Swiss ski resort of Klosters.
After breaking up for a brief period in 2007, the pair reunited in 2008 and got engaged in 2010.
© Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesOf their 'break-up ', Kate later said in their engagement interview: "I think at the time I wasn't very happy about it, but actually 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 are younger, and I really valued that time for me as well although I didn't think it at the time."
The pair then tied the knot in 2011 with an epic royal wedding. The groom wore the red tunic of a colonel of the Irish Guards uniform, while the bride wowed in a satin and lace wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.
You can watch the full live episode of A Right Royal Podcast here.
