William and Kate near fifth wedding anniversary

Updated

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on Friday.

William wed his former university flatmate Kate Middleton on April 29 2011 in the grand surrounds of Westminster Abbey, with millions across the world watching the televised service.

Five years later, the couple have two children - future king Prince George and spare to the heir Princess Charlotte - and are settled into family life in Norfolk, living in their 10 bedroom mansion Anmer Hall.

Kensington Palace said the Cambridges will mark the day privately. They are likely to be spending time catching up with two-year-old George and Charlotte, who turns one on Monday, after being parted from them while away in India and Bhutan.

Although the traditional gift on a fifth wedding anniversary is wood, Kate is often seen sporting new pieces of jewellery - apparently from her husband - around the time of their anniversary.

This time last year, Kate was overdue with Charlotte and spent her anniversary waiting to go into labour. The baby princess finally put in an appearance three days later on May 2 2015.

Less than two weeks ago, the Duke and Duchess were pictured sitting in front of the Taj Mahal - the monument to love - where Diana, Princess of Wales sat alone 24 years earlier shortly before the breakdown of her marriage.

Royal watchers who observed the couple said they appeared very much in love and happy in each other's company during their royal tour.

But the past year has brought criticism with William in particular being labelled "work-shy".

The Duke, in a BBC interview, defended himself against claims he does not take on enough royal duties.

"I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously. But it's about finding your own way at the right time and if you're not careful duty can weigh you down at a very early age," William said.

He said he was focusing on being a father and an air ambulance pilot but would be the "first person to accept" duties when it came for his grandmother the Queen to hand over responsibilities.

The Duke and Duchess are widely expected to expand their family in the future. Although William previously indicated he would like two children, Kate had a happy home life as one of three siblings.

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