Prince William was torn between asking Kate Middleton's hand from her dad or popping the big question to her right away.
The Duke of Cambridge and future king admitted he feared that her father, Michael Middleton, would turn him down for his daughter.
Prince William Shares Proposal Plan To Kate Middleton
Prince William and Kate Middleton had been friends before they started dating. They had been dating for over five years already when he popped the big question.
Some even dubbed Middleton "waity Katie" because it took several years before Prince William got down on one knee to ask her if she would marry him.
"I didn’t realise it was a race, otherwise I would have been a lot quicker!" Prince William said and laughed when asked what took him so long to propose to Middleton.
He also shared that he was actually torn whether he would inform Middleton's dad first or not. However, he feared that he would turn him down and he was desperate to marry Middleton, so he proposed to her without asking his dad's permission.
"I was torn between asking Kate’s dad first and then the realisation that he might actually say no dawned upon me," Prince William said, per Express. "So I thought if I ask Kate first then he can’t really say no."
Prince William Explained Real Reason He Didn't Propose To Kate Middleton Right Away
On a more serious note, Prince William explained why he didn't propose to Kate Middleton early on in their relationship. Apparently, he wanted to prepare her if she was ready for the royal life that awaits her when she marries him.
The second-in-line to the throne knew that being part of his family wouldn't be easy. Middleton had to deal with unwanted media attention. And considering what happened to his mom, Princess Diana, Prince William wanted to be sure that he would be marrying someone who already knew her future with him.
"I wanted to give her a chance to see in and to back out if she needed to before it all got too much," Prince William said. "I’m trying to learn from lessons in the past and I just wanted to give her the best chance to settle and to see what happens on the other side."
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According to royal author Robert Jobson n his 2006 book William’s Princess, Prince Harry's older brother had learned the lesson after witnessing his parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana's unhappy marriage. The Prince and Princess of Wales' marriage ended in divorce.
"William has already proven himself determined not to make the same mistake," Jobson wrote. "William is acutely aware of the past. He knows that his position brings with it real difficulties with one’s personal life."
Prince Charles was already in his 30s and Princess Diana was only 19 when they wed. They only met several times and barely knew each other before they tied the knot. Many felt the heir apparent made a rash decision because he was already in marrying age.
Also, multiple sources said he married Princess Diana because she was the perfect royal bride, but he had always loved Camilla Parker Bowles.
Prince William vowed to marry for the right reason — love.
Prince William and Middleton have been married for 10 years already. They share three adorable children — Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3.
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