The tradition of asking a father for his daughter’s hand in marriage follows one long-standing tradition men often stick to when popping the question.
William and Kate’s lifelong partnership began more than 11 years ago when Prince William asked his then-girlfriend to marry him.
The life-changing moment took place in Kenya where the pair were spending the night in a remote wooden cabin near Lake Rutundu.
Kate has since described the moment as “very romantic” and wrote that it had been a “wonderful 24 hours” in the cabin’s guestbook.
During their engagement interview with journalist Tom Bradby, the couple were asked if the prince had asked Middleton for his daughter’s hand in marriage. William admitted that he did not – fearing what he might say.
In the interview, he said: “Well, I was torn between asking Kate’s dad first and then the realisation that he might actually say ‘no’ dawned upon me. So I thought if I ask Kate first then he can’t really say no. So I did it that way round.”
“I managed to speak to Mike soon after it happened really and then it sort of happened from there.” Luckily Kate said yes, and her dad was more than delighted that she would be marrying William.
This year is a significant one for the Cambridges as both celebrate 40th birthdays in 2022.
