Fourteen years of marriage, three kids, and countless royal duties later, Prince William and Kate Middleton are still making time for each other—and doing it in the most meaningful way.
For their wedding anniversary this year, they returned to a very special place from their past: the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
Celebrating 14 Years With a Touch of Nostalgia
Marking their 14th wedding anniversary, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a heartwarming new photo on their official social media.
The image, taken in Tobermory at dusk, captured the couple wrapped in each other’s arms, clearly soaking in the serenity of the moment.
The post read, “Wonderful to be back on the Isle of Mull. Thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome ❤️ – W & C.”
It wasn’t just a photo-op. For royal watchers, the picture triggered memories of the time William and Kate, then university students, first explored the island together nearly two decades ago.
Rewinding the Clock to Their University Days
Back in 2005, just after their final exams at St Andrews University, William and Kate—along with a group of friends—rented a cozy holiday cottage called Victoria Cottage in Tobermory.
At the time, William was 22 and Kate was 23.
They spent four relaxed days enjoying the peaceful seaside, grabbing groceries from the local Co-op, sharing pints at the pub, and even having a playful water bomb fight with neighbors.
Locals still remember their stay fondly.
One shop employee recalled William as “very handsome and very polite.”
Another resident said the royal couple fit right in, acting like any other young travelers.
Low-Key Royals in a Colourful Town
Despite William’s fame, he didn’t shy away from mingling with others.
He was spotted chatting on the ferry over from Oban, seemingly unfazed by the curious glances.
Interestingly, some passengers didn’t recognize Kate at the time.
According to sources, the couple made the visit privately, keeping things as normal as possible.
Even Princess Anne happened to be on the island at the same time.
In a hilarious coincidence, both royals were seen queuing at the Co-op together—William standing right behind his aunt.
One local joked, “What are the chances?”
A Return with Purpose—and Romance
This latest visit wasn’t just for sentiment.
William and Kate were also there to spotlight the resilience of island communities and the natural beauty of the Inner Hebrides.
The couple stayed in a secluded cottage, creating another romantic memory 14 years after their Westminster Abbey wedding.
Their itinerary included a stop at the Aros Hall, a 19th-century community center that’s being renovated with support from their Royal Foundation.
The couple were greeted with flowers and smiles, and Kate’s summery new highlights sparkled in the rare Scottish sunshine.
Soft Play, Small Talk, and Sweet Memories
Inside the hall, the couple were all smiles as they explored a newly created soft play area for young families—part of a larger effort to support early childhood development.
Kate even shared that she used to take baby George to a Waitrose café for lack of other mom-and-baby hangouts when they lived in Anglesey.
They laughed with toddlers, painted flowers on a puffin mural, and swapped friendly jokes about their art skills.
“You’re the artistic one,” William said, nudging Kate to take the first paint stroke.
After her flower, she playfully handed him the brush.
A little girl judged the results: “They look exactly the same.”
From Cancer Conversations to Chainsaws
One particularly touching moment came when a holidaymaker approached Kate and introduced himself as a fellow cancer survivor.
They shared a heartfelt conversation—an example of Kate’s ongoing grace and strength since revealing her own cancer battle.
Later, Kate surprised everyone by revealing she’d received a chainsaw as a Christmas gift—proving she’s just as handy as she is elegant.
She even showed off her skills by helping to nail tiles to a mini fridge roof during the renovation tour.
Building Community, One Conversation at a Time
The Princess chatted with other mothers about the importance of soft play spaces for making connections, saying, “You need to bring the village together.”
William echoed the sentiment, saying their future focus is on “spotlighting volunteers and community leaders”—the people who keep everything running quietly in the background.
Their hands-on attitude impressed locals, who were happy to welcome the couple back to Mull.
At one point, the Princess received a handmade card featuring tiny painted handprints in a vase—an emotional reminder of her own children’s younger years.
William even switched gifts with her, saying, “I feel more comfortable holding the card.”
Wrapping Up a Meaningful Visit
Before leaving, William and Kate toured the upstairs area of the hall, chatting with the team behind the renovations.
William noticed a vintage photo of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their 1956 visit to the island and called it “amazing.”
Kate, lovingly dubbed the “children’s princess” by many, continued to charm everyone she met—especially the little ones.
For the people of Mull, this wasn’t just a royal drop-in.
It was a reunion with two familiar faces who’ve remained remarkably down-to-earth despite their royal titles.