Despite their longstanding relationship since their university days at St. Andrews, Kate Middleton, who was once affectionately dubbed "Waity Katie" by the media for waiting for a royal proposal from Prince William, faced heartbreak on her 27th birthday when she was still awaiting the longed-for proposal.
Kate now spends her birthdays surrounded by her children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and the mischievous young Prince Louis—as well as her husband, Prince William. Gone are the days when Kate was frequently seen out on the town with her sister, Pippa Middleton. However, her 27th birthday was marked by a significant emotional setback.
Despite being a couple since their university days, Kate was still waiting for William to propose. The media had labeled her "Waity Katie" in 2008 as rumors swirled that William might finally be ready to pop the question. Instead, William's decision to join the RAF was an unexpected twist for both Kate and the royal family.
After completing a stint with each branch of the armed forces, William faced a pivotal choice: return to the Household Cavalry or commit fully to his royal responsibilities. Opting for the RAF meant a period of extra independence before fully embracing royal duties—a luxury his grandmother and father never experienced.
As reported by The Mirror, Kate’s expectations of marrying William and starting her royal life were shattered. In her book *Kate: The Future Queen*, royal commentator Katie Nicholl wrote that William’s decision turned Kate’s life upside down. She had anticipated an engagement after William’s military training but instead faced the reality of waiting even longer. William's new role involved 18 months of rigorous training in Shropshire, followed by a two-year stint at a secret UK location. Nicholl noted that while Kate supported William’s ambitions, she was privately devastated.
As Kate approached her 27th birthday, she felt the weight of her peers settling down and starting families, which only highlighted her own sense of exclusion. Nicholl writes that for Kate, it felt like a step backward, as everyone seemed to be getting married except for her. Her plan to be married with children by 30 appeared increasingly distant.
Concerns about the situation were not limited to Kate alone—her mother, Carole Middleton, was also growing anxious. Despite this, the couple persevered, with William frequently driving the 130 miles to Bucklebury to visit Kate. By the end of 2010, William solidified their relationship by proposing, although they kept the engagement private until November. The couple’s union was finally sealed in a lavish royal ceremony at Westminster Abbey in April 2011.
