Prince William Engagement: Ring, Happy Couple Make Public Debut
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Prince William and Kate Middleton met the press on Tuesday at St. James Palace in London, making their first public appearance after announcing their engagement.
PICTURES: William and Kate
PICTURES: Kate Middleton
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"Blimey," said William as he faced a torrent of camera flashes Tuesday at St. James's Palace. He wore a navy suit, while Middleton donned a simple blue dress.
Middleton acknowledged that being queen was "a daunting prospect."
"Hopefully I'll take it in my stride," she said.
Middleton described the proposal this way: "It was very romantic, and it was very personal." She declined to say whether the prince had gone down on bended knee when he proposed.
While she stayed mum on the details, William did open up about one thing - the engagement ring that he gave her. The oval blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds, from the jeweler Garrard, was once worn by his mother, Princess Diana.
"This was my way of making sure that my mother didn't miss out on today," he said.
William proposed during a holiday in Kenya last month. The couple plans to marry next year.
The two met as freshmen at the University of St. Andrew's in Scotland, starting out as just friends but quickly becoming boyfriend and girlfriend.
"Obviously we both have a very fun time together, both have a very good sense of humor about things, we're down to earth, we take the mickey out of each other a lot, and she's got plenty of habits that make me laugh that I tease her about," William said as he and Middleton faced photographers Tuesday. "She has habits that can make me laugh."
Read more on the royal engagement:
Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring is Princess Diana's
Prince Harry was First to Congratulate His Brother
Charles and Diana's Wedding: A Look Back
Engagement Timing was Crucial for Queen
Two Royal Weddings in 2011
What Royal Title Will Kate Middleton Get?
Who is Britain's Future Princess?
Prince William and Kate Middleton are Engaged
