Instead of a grand ball or palace reception, Prince William and Kate Middleton chose something far more meaningful to mark their 14th wedding anniversary—an intimate return to the place where their love story began: the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
It wasn’t just a holiday; it was a heartfelt nod to their past and a quiet celebration of their journey as a couple, parents, and public figures.
A Sunset Stroll in Tobermory
To mark the special day, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a tender new photograph on their official social media.
Captured at dusk in the harbor town of Tobermory, the image showed the couple holding each other closely, wrapped in a soft evening light.
The caption simply read, “Wonderful to be back on the Isle of Mull,” followed by a heart emoji and signed “W & C.” The post quickly melted royal fans’ hearts.
From Students to Soulmates
For the couple, Mull isn’t just scenic—it’s nostalgic.
first visited the island two decades ago while studying at the University of St Andrews.
It was during that time they began falling for each other.
Friends say the island saw them at their most relaxed: sipping pints at local pubs, playing water bomb games with neighbors, shopping at the local Co-op, and even hosting BBQs with new friends.
They were just a group of students enjoying post-exam freedom, with no royal fanfare.
Their First Stay at Victoria Cottage
Back in 2005, William and Kate, along with some friends, rented a cozy self-catering home called Victoria Cottage on Breadalbane Street—famously recognized as part of the colorful town of Balamory from a beloved kids’ TV show.
Their stay lasted four laid-back days, just before returning to St Andrews for graduation.
Locals still remember how Prince William charmed everyone.
One ferry passenger recalled being shocked at seeing him onboard, casually chatting and blending in like any other traveler.
Staff at the Co-op remembered him as “handsome and polite,” and he was even spotted cheering for the British Lions at a local pub.
An Unexpected Royal Co-op Encounter
That particular visit had a quirky twist: Princess Anne happened to be on Mull at the same time.
In a serendipitous moment, she and William were spotted queuing together at the local Co-op—two royals, one humble grocery store.
Locals were struck by how relaxed and down-to-earth the whole scene was.
A Special Return to Celebrate 14 Years of Marriage
Fast forward to 2025, and William and Kate returned to the same region—this time not as university sweethearts, but as senior royals with three children.
They rented a secluded cottage to relive the magic of their early days and connect with the island once again.
Their two-day visit was part of a wider initiative to spotlight Scotland’s resilient communities and natural beauty.
Community Spirit in Aros Hall
Their anniversary visit began with a stop at Aros Hall, a historic community center undergoing renovations, partially funded by their Royal Foundation.
Kate, glowing in the spring sunshine and showing off subtle new blonde highlights, looked genuinely touched as they were welcomed by locals.
She and William toured the building, laughed with children in the soft play area, and received sweet anniversary gifts, including a handmade card covered in painted handprints.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
The couple fondly chatted with residents about their previous student trip.
Kate revealed that two watercolour paintings she bought in the town 20 years ago still hang in their home.
She also reminisced about those early parenting days with Prince George, confessing that she used to visit a Waitrose café in Anglesey just to meet other mums because baby groups were hard to come by.
Playful Moments and Thoughtful Conversations
Inside the newly created soft play space—painted with a cheerful puffin mural—William and Kate got hands-on. They were invited to add flowers to the wall.
William, ever the supportive husband, nudged Kate to go first, joking she was the artistic one. She gently teased him until he joined in.
A little girl judged their artwork and sweetly told them both their flowers looked the same.
Kate, often called the “children’s princess,” bonded with local mums, chatting about the importance of community support.
She smiled as she spoke about how much her kids love soft play, while William humorously gestured to his knees to explain how age makes crawling around more difficult these days.
Royal Revelations and Down-to-Earth Moments
William shared his belief that community leaders and volunteers are the “glue” of society, saying their work deserves more recognition.
He also chuckled while recalling that he’s often reminded of places he’s visited when people ask him to sign the guestbook—though he joked that during their Mull student trip, he might’ve had “one or two ciders.”
At the end of their visit, William accepted a bouquet, while Kate was gifted a sweet handmade card.
Touched, she remarked on the tiny handprints: “I remember when my kids had hands like that.”
William even insisted on swapping gifts with her, saying he was more comfortable holding the card.
Kate’s Surprise Christmas Gift
Upstairs, they met the local renovation crew and admired a photo of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visiting Mull in 1956.
Ever the hands-on royal, Kate joined in some DIY by helping tile the play kitchen’s fridge roof.
She revealed with a smile that she was gifted a chainsaw for Christmas. Though she didn’t say who gave it to her, she seemed more than capable of using it.
A Low-Key Visit, Full of Love
This wasn’t a flashy royal tour—it was a heartfelt and personal return to a place full of meaning.
William and Kate’s visit to the Isle of Mull reminded everyone just how deeply connected they are to Scotland and to each other.
And 14 years into their marriage, it’s clear they’re not just a royal couple—they’re a team, still finding joy in the little things, side by side.