The Media Crush

"I wouldn't believe everything you read in the paper," said the prince in his post-engagement interview. Here, members of the media line the gates of Buckinham Palace after the engagement announcement is made (credit: Carl Court/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Middleton's Parents

Carole and Michael Middleton at their home in Berkshire after the announcement. Over the years some have criticized Kate's lack of noble blood; her parents own an online party supply company. "You can only be true to yourself and sort of have to ignore a lot of what's being said," said Kate in the post-engagement interview (credit: Carl Court/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Kate and Wills

William popped the question during a couples' holiday in Kenya this October. "We had a little private time away together with some friends and I just decided it was the right time, really," said the prince on the 16th (credit: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images).

Kate and Wills Meet the Press

Prince William and Kate Middleton walk into the State Apartments of St. James Palace in London, and posed for a photocall to mark their engagement (credit: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images).

A Rare Display of Affection

Kate stood with her hand bearing the engagement ring wrapped around Will's arm; a rare show of affection from the couple. Earlier that day, Kate described their engagement as "very romantic and very personal" (credit: Ben Stansall/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Kate and Wills

The couple was blinded by hundreds of flashbulbs as they posed for photographers (credit: Ben Stansall/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Kate Middleton

After years of waiting, and a break up, Kate expects to wed the prince next Spring or Summer. From now on she is to be known as Catherine (credit: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images).

The Royal Couple

Prince William proposed to Kate while on a couples' vacation in Kenya this October (credit: Chris Jacson/ Getty Images).

Kate's Style

Kate has long been known for her fashion sense--a black and white Topshop dress she was photographed wearing on her 25th birthday sold out of the company's website within 24 hours. During the announcement, she rocked a fitted-waist blue dress with black pumps (credit: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images).

The Beaming Pair

Prince William wore a crisp suit to complement his fiance's engagement look. He admitted in the Tuesday interview that he didn't follow tradition during the proposal, "I was torn between asking Kate's dad first and the realisation he might actually say no dawned on me" (credit: Chris Johnson/ Getty Images).

Prince William

"I don't want to get married until I'm at least 28, maybe 30," William has said. The prince is 28 this year (credit: Chris Johnson/ Getty Images).

British Newspapers Break the News

A woman reads about the engagement as she stand outside of St James Palace in central London (credit: Carl Court/ AFP/ Getty Images).

A National Obsession

A souvenir plate by Woolworths has been made at the ready for their engagement for years now. The plate is only one part of a range of memorabilia, which includes thimbles, mouse mats and candies (credit: Woolworths/ Getty Images).

The Stunning Sapphire

In what is being called an unexpected and heartfelt gesture, Prince William proposed to Kate with his mother's 18-carat blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring. It is the same ring that Prince Charles gave to Lady Diana upon their engagement, 30 years ago. "It was my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today, and the excitement and the fact that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together," said William in the couples' interview in the 16th (credit: Arthur Edwards/ Getty Images).

Camilla Congratulates the Couple

Duchess of Cornwall and Will's stepmom Camilla arrived at St. James Palace to give her good wishes to the couple (credit: Dan Kitwood/ Getty Images).

The Long Road to Engagement

In February, Kate and Wills cheered on the English team during the RBS Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy. Public outings like this have always been rare for the very private couple (credit: Richard Heathcote/ Getty Images)

Prince William's Army Career

The couple endured long periods apart while Prince William went through his Army Officer training in 2005. "I get quite lazy about cooking because when I come back from work it's the last thing I want to do. But when I was trying to impress Kate I was trying to cook these amazing fancy dinners and all that would happen was that I'd burn something or something would overspill and Kate would be sitting in the background trying to help and bascially taking control of the entire situation." Here, Prince William talks to a member of the Afghan Army (credit: John Stillwell/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Back Together

The couple was back together in April 2008 in time for Will's graduation ceremony at RAF Cranwell air base in Lincolnshire. It was their first major outing since their split in 2007 (credit: Michael Dunlea/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Budding Romance during a Family Vacation

Their relationship went public during this 2006 family vacation in Klosters, Switzerland. Media traditionally leaves the royal family alone and gives them their privacy on vacations, however, not this year. Paparazzi snapped photos of Prince William and Kate kissing in the snow (credit: Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images).

Charles and Camilla

Kate said she was nervous to meet Charles and the rest of the royal family, "I was quite nervous to meet William's father but he was very welcoming and friendly so it couldn't have gone easier for me." Charles and Camilla attended Prince William's army officer graduation in 2006. Kate was also in attendance, showing the world how serious they were as a couple (credit: Sang Tan/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Wills' Graduation

Prince William receives his flying wings from his father in 2008. Kate sat and smiled as she watched the ceremony with Camilla and the Queen (credit: Paul Ellis/ AFP/ Getty Images).

He's Fit

Prince William plays cricket during his visit to Australia earlier this year (credit: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images).

Will Took His Time

William reportedly carried around his mother's engagement ring in his backpack for three weeks before propsoing. Here, the prince attends The Order of the Garter Service in 2010 (credit: Alastair Grant/ Getty Images).

Kate's Childhood Crush

Kate, pictured here at the Lacock Cyraiax Church for a wedding, reportedly had a poster of Prince William on her wall as a child growing up (credit: Carl de Souza/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Kate Graduates Into Will's Heart

"There's a true romantic in there," said Kate in her Tuesday interview. "We were out there with friends so I really didn't expect it at all - it was a total shock when it came and we're very excited." Here, Kate attends her graduation at St. Andrews, Scotland in 2005 (credit: Michael Dunlea/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Their Relationship Grew

"I think when you go out with someone for quite a long time, you do get to know each other very well," said Kate during the interview. Here, Prince William is caught in action during a polo charity match in 2004 (credit: Carl de Souza/ Getty Images).

Meeting the In-Laws

William said Queen Elizabeth II had, "wanted to meet Kate for a while" (credit: Sang Tan/ Getty Images).

Kate's Support System

In this photo Kate is flanked by her parents, who she says have been very supportive during the course of her 8-year relationship with the royal. "The people around home are very supportive to us and those are the people that really matter to us, our close friends and family," said Kate in the post-engagement interview (credit: Tim Ockenden/ Getty Images).

The Break Up

"I think at the time I wasn't happy about it," said Kate of their 2007 break up. "but it made me a stronger person. You find out things about yourself and I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you're younger and I really valued that time [apart] looking back at it." Prince William salutes at the HMNB Clyde naval base in 2010 (credit: Danny Lawson/ Getty Images).

Troubled Times

The couple would break up in the same year this photo was taken. Said Kate about the breakup in her inteview in the 16th, "You go through good times, you go through the bad times - both personally but in a relationship as well - but I think you come out of that stronger." Here, the couple attend the Cheltenham Race Festival in 2007 (credit: Carl de Souza/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Where They Met

William and Kate met at St. Andrew's University where they both studied history of art. It's said that Kate caught his eye when she wore a black bra and bikini bottoms under a transparent dress during a fashion show at the school. "When I first met Kate, I knew there was something very special about her," said the prince during the post-engagement interview (credit: David Cheskin/ AFP/ Getty Images).

Thinking of Family and Future

In response to the family question, Will gave this answer in the post-engagement interview: "I think we'll take it one step at a time. We'll get over the marriage thing first and then maybe look at the kids but obviously we want to start a family." Here, Kate stands at the Cheltenham Race Festival in 2007 (credit: Carl de Souza/ AFP/ Getty Images).

The Beaming Bride-to-be

At the conclusion of their post-engagement interview the couple said they are "hugely excited" and "looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together." Here, Kate beams at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 2008 (credit: Ryan Pierse/ Getty Images).