The Prince and Princess of Wales today shared a heart-warming new photograph from a family day out in Sandringham to mark 12 years of marriage.
Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey, in a service that was watched by 36.7 million people across the world.
Now 12 years on, with three young children, the couple appeared more in love than ever in a sweet outdoorsy snap posted on their social media accounts.
In the portrait, taken by environmental photographer Matt Porteous, the royal couple is seen riding bikes in the Norfolk countryside with their arms around each other.
The image is an outtake from a series that was shared on Mother’s Day and Christmas 2022 – and is now the fourth image we have seen from this particular day.
The Prince and Princess of Wales today shared an outdoorsy new photograph from a family day out to mark 12 years of marriage
It was simply captioned ’12 years’ – with the addition of a red emoji heart
The Mother’s Day photographs had captured Kate spending quality time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – with Prince William nowhere to be seen.
But the future king makes an appearance in the newly unveiled photograph, smiling with his arm around his wife as the pair enjoy a quiet bike ride without the children.
It was simply captioned ’12 years’ – with a red emoji heart.
The photographs were taken on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk last year.
For Mother’s Day, the royal couple shared two images of Kate with their children on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk last year
A second image shows Kate lovingly cradling her youngest son Prince Louis, four, in her arms
The newly released image is the fourth we have seen from this family day out, the first of which was shared by the Wales family for their Christmas card last year.
It pictured the family walking hand-in-hand through the Sandringham estate on a sunny day, the royals dressed for warm weather in casual denim and matching blues.
Kate and William turned to their favourite – and most trusted – photographer Matt Porteous for the shoot, which offered a rare, intimate look at royal family life.
The new photos were taken on the same day as the family’s Christmas card photoshoot on the Sandringham estate last year
Today’s image sparked a raft of messages on the royals’ social media accounts from well-wishers who congratulated the Prince and Princess on 12 years of marriage
The environmental photographer previously captured the image they used for their 2021 Christmas card as well as Prince George’s third birthday portraits.
Today’s image sparked a raft of messages on the royals’ social media accounts from well-wishers who congratulated the Prince and Princess on 12 years of marriage.
One person said: ‘Happy anniversary and cheers to many more.’
Others added simply: ‘Happy anniversary’, while some commented on the ‘lovely’ photograph.
Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey, in a service that was watched by 36.7 million people across the world
On 29 April 2011, Kate walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey in a service that was performed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
The couple said ‘I do’ in front of 2,000 guests and were watched by 36.7 million people who tuned in around the world.
Kate, then 29, wore a £250,000 gown by Alexander McQueen, which included a lace bodice hand-stitched by the world’s best seamstresses at the Royal School of Needlework.
The most iconic moment of the couple’s wedding day came perhaps when they shared their first kiss as a married couple on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, much to the delight of cheering onlookers outside the Palace gates and beyond.
Moments earlier, stepping on to the balcony, Kate had appeared to gasp ‘Oh my’ as she caught sight of the thousands of people who’d streamed into the public spaces around Buckingham Palace to share in the joy of the newlyweds.
That kiss! Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a very public kissing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their wedding at Westminster Abbey
More poignant since the loss of Prince Philip: the couple’s wedding photo, with both sides of their families present, taken by Hugo Burnand in the throne room at Buckingham Palace
Hard to believe: Crowds gathered all day long on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace on the couple’s wedding day, waving union jacks and cheering as the newlyweds appeared on the balcony
And hours before that, she’d heard the same crowds drum up the loud chant ‘We want Kate, we want Kate’ in the moments before the bride had arrived at Westminster Abbey.
But 12 years on from this spectacular day, Kate and William are likely preparing for their roles in next weekend’s Coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey.
Meanwhile, Kate yesterday gave a rare insight into her feelings about her late mother-in-law while chatting to royal fans in Wales.
The Princess of Wales seemed happy to talk about what her ring meant to her and said it was an honour to wear it with royal fans in Merthyr Tydfil yesterday
Kate was given the ring – which used to be Princess Diana’s – when she got engaged to William in 2010
The Princess of Wales normally maintains a discreet silence regarding her husband’s late mother, but while chatting to well-wishers in Merthyr Tydfil on Friday, she made some touching remarks.
When asked by a royal fan about wearing Diana’s engagement ring, she confirmed it was the ‘same ring’, adding that she didn’t have to have it adjusted to fit.
‘And it was exactly the same size,’ she said. ‘It is very special. What an honour to be able to wear it. But sadly I never got to meet her.’