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Prince William and the Princess of Wales, previously known as Kate Middleton, have been happily married for several years, sharing their lives with three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. However, the road to their enduring partnership wasn’t without its bumps. Before their union, William and Kate experienced two breakups.
In his book, William and Catherine, The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story, royal expert Russell Myers sheds light on the reason for their second split. According to Myers, Kate issued an ultimatum to William, seeking not an engagement but a commitment. She made it clear that if he couldn’t offer that, it would be best for them to move on separately. Her resolve left William with no doubts about her stance.
Throughout their separation, the influence of Queen Elizabeth was significant, especially when others felt that William should consider moving on from Kate. The young prince received different pieces of advice from his father, King Charles, and his grandmother regarding this pivotal moment in his life.
King Charles told Prince William to break up with Kate
Christopher Andersen, a royal biographer, provides insight into the guidance William received from his father during this period. Featured in the documentary Kate Middleton: Biography, Andersen reveals that during their 2007 breakup, William sought his father’s counsel. King Charles, known for his straightforward approach, advised William to “break it off” with Kate.
Andersen elaborates that William expressed to Charles his reluctance to marry at the age of 25, feeling unready for commitment. Although Charles had grown fond of Kate, he advised his son that it would be unfair to keep her in limbo. His counsel was clear: William should end the relationship if he was not prepared to commit.
According to Andersen, “William went to his father and said, ‘Look, I’m 25, I’m too young to get married. I just don’t want to commit at this point.’” The author added that “Charles, who was by then very fond of Kate, said, ‘It would be unfair to the young lady. You cannot string her along anymore, so you should just break it off.’”
But it wasn’t just Charles who suggested William end the relationship. The king’s wife, Queen Camilla (formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, wasn’t always on board with the couple being together.
In his book, Game of Crowns, Andersen alleged that William’s stepmother wanted the prince to leave Kate and had asked her husband to coax William into breaking things off. The reason was reportedly because, at the time, Camilla was trying hard to win over the British public and was “disgusted” that everyone seemed to fall in love with Kate instead of her.
Queen Elizabeth’s words of wisdom saved William and Kate’s relationship
Queen Elizabeth II also became a sounding board when William and Kate were taking time apart, and her words stayed with her grandson and ultimately saved his relationship.
“Sensing William was struggling, the queen invited him to Sunday lunch to judge his mood,” Myers wrote (per Closer). “William was more than just crestfallen and worried about whether he was throwing away the one constant in his life. He was, according to one well-placed source, ‘completely broken.’ In that moment, the queen advised her grandson that the only certain path is the one supported by faith. It was all she had to say.”
Myers noted that William then suggested he and Kate attend a party together “that had been in their [calendar] for months … Fellow guests said as soon as William and Catherine set eyes on one another it was clear their love had not extinguished.”
In 2010, William proposed to his longtime girlfriend when the two were vacationing together in Kenya. They said “I do” on April 29, 2011.