In their first interview following their engagement, Prince William and Kate Middleton frankly discussed their long courtship, their brief split in 2007, and the challenges ahead of them. Prince William proposed to Middleton at a private gathering, amidst friends during a vacation in Kenya in October, 2010. 
"We had been talking about marriage for some time so it wasn't a massively big surprise," William said in the interview.
Very Romantic Proposal
William's proposal "was very romantic" Middleton said, without revealing any more details.
Asked if he had been planning it for the whole day before proposing to her, William said, "I had been planning it for a while."
He added that it took some extra planning to "show his romantic side."
Asked if she saw it coming, Middleton said, "No, not at all...I thought he might have...maybe thought about it...it was a total shock when it came."
"I had been carrying the ring in my rucksack for three weeks before that," William explained. "I literally wouldn't let it go of it...I was keeping hold of it because I knew if this thing would disappear I would be in a lot of trouble." Middleton met William while studying in the University of St Andrews in 2001 and the two started dating shortly thereafter. Explaining their eight year coutrship, William said, "The timing is right now. We're both very happy, and I'm very glad that I have done it." "I wanted to give her a chance to see and back out if she needed to before it got all too much," the Prince said. "I just wanted to give her the best chance to settle in and see what happens on the other side." William proposed with his mother, Princess Diana's engagement ring. "She is not here to share the fun and excitement. This is my way of keeping her close to it all," he explained. "I would love to have met her," Kate said. "She's obviously an inspirational woman to look up to." The couple briefly split in April 2007 but continued to be friends. Speaking about the split, William said, "We were both very young. It was a university. We were both growing up and trying to find our own ways." "I at that time wasn't very happy about it but actually it made me a stronger person," Kate added. Speaking about the challenges of being a part of the royal family and being in public focus, Middleton said: "It's quite a daunting prospect, but hopefully I'll take it in my stride. "William's a great teacher, so he'll be up to help me … I really look forward to it, and look forward to spending my time with William." William clarified that Kate will "carve out her own future. No one's trying to fill my mother's shoes. It's about making your own future and your own destiny and Kate will do a very good job with that.” Long Courtship
William proposed with his Mother's Engagement Ring
Their Split in 2007
Kate Middleton Daunted but Happy to be a Part of the Royal Family
Prince William, Kate Middleton Speaking to the Press Following Engagement
