William and Kate prepare to mark 13th wedding anniversary

The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary on Monday.

Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy for an undisclosed cancer, married future king William in 2011 after eight years of dating.

The pair are facing their most difficult challenge so far amid the princess’s diagnosis, with Kate appealing for time, space and privacy as she continues her treatment.

“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance,” she said.

Kate, 42, told how her diagnosis had come as a huge shock and that she and William “have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family”.

Louis celebrated his sixth birthday on Tuesday and Charlotte turns nine on May 2.

William and Kate released an unedited new photo of Louis straight to social media to mark the youngster’s big day to thank well-wishers and avoid the uproar over the princess’s digitally altered Mother’s Day photo.

The prince is set to carry out engagements in the North East this week, visiting an Earthshot Prize finalist firm which makes low-carbon construction materials in Seaham, and opening James’s Place – a centre which offers free, life-saving treatment to suicidal men  – in Newcastle on Tuesday.

Life partners for more than 20 years, William and Kate met at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, and became friends first before embarking on a romance.

William said in their engagement interview: “Obviously we both have a very fun time together, both have a very good sense of humour about things.”

They wed in a grand fairytale ceremony in Westminster Abbey on April 29 2011, with the aisle of the gothic church lined with trees.

The bride wore an intricate ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, while the groom was dressed in the red tunic of the Irish Guards.

They have shared ups and downs, from the arrival of their children and the celebration of Jubilees to the late Queen’s death and more recently the King’s cancer diagnosis, and kept their counsel amid accusations levelled at them by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the wake of Harry and Meghan’s split from the royal family.

Thirteen is superstitiously considered an unlucky number but is also known as a baker’s dozen, which dates from medieval times when they would add an extra loaf to avoid being flogged for overcharging customers for their regulated goods.

Thirteenth wedding anniversaries are traditionally marked with the gift of lace.