William and Catherine Mark 15 Years of Marriage with New Family Portrait

Key facts

• William and Catherine married at Westminster Abbey in London in 2011.
• The couple met at the University of St Andrews.
• They have three children: Prince George (born 2013), Princess Charlotte (born 2015), and Prince Louis (born 2018).
• The new portrait was taken by photographer Matt Porteous in Cornwall during Easter break.
• Catherine revealed she was suffering from cancer two years ago.
• Carole Middleton, Catherine's mother, was a flight attendant for British Airways.
• Gary Middleton, Catherine's uncle, received an assault conviction in 2017.
• Pippa Middleton was paid £400,000 for her book 'Celebrate'.

A Portrait of Fifteen Years

The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a new family photograph to commemorate their 15th wedding anniversary. The image, taken by Matt Porteous in Cornwall during the Easter break, shows William and Catherine lying in the grass with their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—and their dog. The couple shared the picture on social media with a heart emoji and the caption: 'Celebrating 15 years of marriage'. The royal couple wed at Westminster Abbey in a televised ceremony that drew an estimated audience of billions worldwide. They met at the University of St Andrews and spent their first three years of married life in Anglesey, where William trained as an RAF search and rescue pilot. Reflecting on that period, William told trainees on Tuesday: 'I loved my time up here. It was great fun… I do miss it. I miss the job, I miss the camaraderie.'

The Middleton Clan in the Spotlight

While Catherine has earned widespread sympathy following her cancer diagnosis two years ago, her extended family has often attracted less favorable attention. Carole Middleton, Catherine's mother, has been a persistent tabloid figure due to her perceived ambition—encouraging Catherine to attend St Andrews and study history of art—and her past as a British Airways flight attendant. to chant 'Doors to manual' in reference to her former career, a boorish gesture that nonetheless underscored the class tensions surrounding the family. Carole was portrayed by actress Eve Best in the final series of 'The Crown', a role that drew on Best's experience playing ambitious characters like Lady Macbeth. Yet in recent years, Carole has receded from the limelight relative to other Middletons.

The Black Sheep and the Social Climbers

Catherine's uncle, Gary Middleton, has become the family's most controversial figure. A self-described 'businessman and entrepreneur', he owned an Ibiza villa called 'Maison de Bang Bang' and appeared on 'Celebrity Big Brother'. In 2017, he was convicted of assault against his fourth wife. His flamboyant behavior, including a six-foot-high sign reading 'It's Gary's world, you just live in it', has made him a staple of tabloid gossip. Catherine's sister Pippa briefly became a global sensation after the royal wedding, wearing a figure-hugging Sarah Burton dress that landed her on Time's list of the 100 most influential people. Penguin paid her £400,000 for a book titled 'Celebrate', but it was widely mocked for its stilted prose, including lines like 'This traditional British pie has attained iconic and protected status'. A subsequent cookbook, 'Heartfelt', failed to revive her literary career.

James Middleton's Mental Health Advocacy

James Middleton, Catherine's younger brother, has taken a different path, speaking openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety. He published 'Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved my Life' in 2024 and maintains a following of nearly 350,000 on Instagram. However, his public pronouncements have sometimes been criticized as banal, such as his recent advice: 'Sometimes we don’t fully realise the pressure social media puts on us until we take a step back.' Despite his advocacy, James has not escaped the family's tendency toward self-promotion. His advice to take a break from social media stands in ironic contrast to his own active online presence.

A Contrast in Public Perception

Catherine's grace and dignity have drawn comparisons to Princess Diana, positioning her as the true heir to Diana's compassionate legacy—especially after her cancer revelation. This stands in stark contrast to the 'ridiculous and often tawdry antics' of other Middletons, as one commentator put it. The family's journey from relative obscurity to tabloid mainstays has been marked by a mix of ambition, scandal, and occasional bathos. While William and Catherine's marriage has generally received favorable coverage, the same cannot be said for the broader Middleton clan. From Carole's social climbing to Gary's legal troubles, the family has provided a steady stream of material for the press.

The Future of the Middleton Dynasty

As the royal couple celebrates their anniversary, the Middleton family shows no signs of fading from public view. Gary's antics, Pippa's literary misadventures, and James's earnest but sometimes hollow pronouncements continue to generate headlines. The family's enduring presence raises questions about the price of proximity to the throne. For now, the public's sympathy remains firmly with Catherine, whose personal trials have only enhanced her standing. Whether the rest of the Middletons can similarly win over the public—or will continue to be a source of embarrassment—remains an open question.

The bottom line

• William and Catherine have been married for 15 years, with three children and a new portrait marking the occasion.
• Catherine's cancer diagnosis has shifted public sympathy toward her, distancing her from the more controversial aspects of her family.
• Carole Middleton's ambition and past as a flight attendant have been a persistent source of tabloid interest.
• Gary Middleton's assault conviction and flamboyant lifestyle have made him the family's black sheep.
• Pippa Middleton's literary career flopped despite a lucrative advance, while James Middleton's mental health advocacy has been met with mixed reactions.
• The Middleton family remains a fixture in the media, with their antics contrasting sharply with Catherine's regal dignity.