Once known as “Waity Kate,” Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, endured a heart-wrenching milestone on her 27th birthday, long before she became the beloved wife of Prince William. Despite dating since their university days at St. Andrew’s, Kate was still waiting for the moment she had dreamed of—the royal proposal that seemed just out of reach.
In those days, birthdays for Kate were often spent with family and friends, her sister Pippa by her side, and the hope of a proposal from William looming large. However, as Kate’s 27th birthday approached, she found herself facing a tearful reality. Despite the media buzzing with rumors that William was on the verge of popping the question, her dreams were abruptly dashed when he announced that he had signed up with the RAF instead.
The news came as a shock not only to Kate but to the entire royal family. William’s decision to join the RAF offered him a precious bit of independence before fully embracing his royal duties—a freedom that neither his grandmother nor his father had experienced. But for Kate, it meant more waiting, and the weight of disappointment was heavy, according to the Mirror.
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl, in her book Kate: The Future Queen, sheds light on this painful period for Kate. “With that single decision, Kate’s life was turned upside down,” Nicholl wrote. “She had expected a proposal once William had completed his military training, but instead, she was forced to accept that there would be no engagement any time soon. Kate would have to wait even longer”, told The Daily Record.
William’s new role involved 18 months of intense training in Shropshire, followed by a two-year assignment at an undisclosed location in the UK. Kate, ever supportive, stood by his side, but privately, she was devastated. “William was asking her to be an army wife—without the nuptials. Her frustration was understandable,” Nicholl explains.
As Kate’s birthday neared, she couldn’t help but notice that her peers were settling down, leaving her feeling increasingly isolated. “For Kate, it was a step backward. It seemed that everyone was getting married except for her,” Nicholl noted. As she approached her 27th year, her hopes of being married with children by thirty seemed to be slipping away.
Even Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, was growing anxious. Yet, despite the uncertainty and heartache, Kate and William’s relationship persevered. William frequently made the 130-mile drive to visit Kate in Bucklebury, and by the end of 2010, he finally proposed. The couple kept their engagement a secret until November, and in April 2011, they sealed their love in a grand royal wedding at Westminster Abbey.
Today, as Kate celebrates her birthdays surrounded by her loving family, the memory of that bittersweet 27th birthday remains a testament to her patience and unwavering faith in her relationship with William.