William and Kate's 'crazy' engagement announcement
Royal photographer recalls his experience of the historic moment
Can you believe it was 13 years ago today since William and Kate announced their engagement?
The much-anticipated statement from Clarence House dropped into the press's inboxes on 16 November 2010: His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales was engaged to be married to his long-term girlfriend Miss Catherine Middleton!
While Kate is now one of the most photographed public figures in the world, back then, the former high-street accessory buyer was only just getting a taste of what life would be.
She was used to being papped while out and about in London, but the engagement photocall at St James's Palace prompted a new level of hysteria.
I wasn't working on the royal beat at the time, but I remember watching the videos on YouTube of her and William walking into the room to pose for photos and answer questions from the press – and the intensity of the non-stop flashes and the sounds of the photographers' clicks are just jaw-dropping… seriously.
"One or two flashes," William even joked. "I can't actually see any of you, but I see a lot of flashes."
Make sure you watch the video below.
One man who was there to experience the media mayhem was AFP photographer Ben Stansall, who took me back to that frenzied day for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look. All yours, Ben…