Fifteen years after announcing their royal engagement, the Prince and Princess of Wales are leaning on each other in ways that feel deeper — and more visible — than ever before.

November 16 marks a milestone for William and Kate, one that carries extra emotional weight this year. The past few years have challenged them in profoundly public and deeply private ways, yet the couple has emerged steadier, closer and more bonded than at any point in their marriage.

Just last year, William admitted it had been “the hardest year of my life,” as both Kate and King Charles faced cancer diagnoses. Through Kate’s health journey and their fierce dedication to protecting Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, their partnership — both as spouses and as parents — has intensified.

And that closeness shows.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told PEOPLE that William now appears more openly affectionate, saying, “William must feel so fortunate that Kate has come through this that he wants to tell the world about that love. It shows the intimacy of them sharing that journey together.”

“They’re happy for people to see them being touchy-feely,” Seward added. “They’re in a different phase of their life now. William is very protective and very proud of her.”

A royal source echoes the sentiment, noting the couple is “more open” and “talk about their relationship together” in ways they once kept entirely private.

Even under the pressures of raising three children, navigating public scrutiny and managing their royal duties, William and Kate now project a calm confidence that was earned through hardship.

William appears more relaxed on the world stage — at his Earthshot event in Brazil, during his surprise Dancing With the Stars cameo, and even in his lighthearted segment on The Reluctant Traveler. Meanwhile, Kate has become more approachable than ever, meeting the public with a warmth sharpened by motherhood and her recent health battle. Her clarity about what matters most now feels unmistakable.

As they commemorate the moment William proposed, there is a renewed emotional intimacy between them. Insiders say they’re more protective of one another and more focused than ever on keeping their family grounded.

Kate captured that sentiment herself in her September 2024 video announcing the end of her chemotherapy:
“Above all, this time reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life — of simply loving and being loved.”

Adding to the meaning of this anniversary, the couple has settled into their new “forever home,” Forest Lodge at Windsor — a symbolic fresh start after years marked by instability and uncertainty.

Even challenges that once might have shaken them, such as royal scandals surrounding figures like the former Prince Andrew, no longer carry the same weight. They face crises now with greater calm and clarity, keeping their children and their priorities firmly at the center.

This anniversary isn’t only about reminiscing on a fairytale proposal.
It’s about celebrating a couple who weathered storms — and came through them stronger, more united and more certain of each other than ever before.