Royal expert says friendship helped William and Kate’s marriage

Royal author Ingrid Seward has said Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were “very good friends” before they began dating, describing their friendship as an important part of their relationship.

Royal author Ingrid Seward has said Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were “very good friends” before they began dating, describing their friendship as an important part of their relationship.

Seward made the comments during a live episode of HELLO!’s “A Right Royal Podcast.”

“I think what the great thing was that she and William were very good friends before they became lovers,” Seward said.

She recalled that Catherine was a “sounding board” for William during their university years and described an early visit to her family home in Bucklebury.

“During, I think it was their first vacation from university, he drove to take Catherine out. He drove to her house in Bucklebury and he took her to the local pub, and they had a long, long chat,” Seward said.

Seward said Catherine listened to William and advised him about his studies when he was unhappy with his course in art history.

“She was such a good friend,” Seward said, recalling Catherine’s suggestion that William consider studying geography instead.

William and Catherine celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary on April 29, 2026. The couple shared a family photograph with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, with the caption “Celebrating 15 years of marriage.”

William and Catherine married at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011. The ceremony was watched by millions around the world.