True love often faces its share of hurdles, as evidenced by the journey of the Prince and Princess of Wales. William and Catherine's summer holiday with their three children took an unexpected turn with the release of a new book shedding light on their marriage.
Although they have now been married for over 13 years and balance their royal duties with parenting, their relationship was far from smooth in the early years. Before their engagement, their romance faced significant challenges. After graduating from university, William joined the Army while Catherine worked for a retail chain in London. As engagement rumors swirled, William, not quite ready to settle down, suggested they take a break. During an emotionally charged 30-minute phone call, they both recognized they were at different stages in their lives. For Catherine, being ended over the phone was a crushing blow, even though it wasn’t the first time William had ended their relationship. This time, however, it felt final.
According to a new explosive royal biography by Robert Jobson, William celebrated the breakup with a boozy night out in London's exclusive Mayfair. The book reveals that William was overheard shouting, “I’m free,” as he drunkenly danced the robot. He and his friends reportedly drank the night away, with William enthusiastically encouraging them to enjoy the evening.
After the breakup, William returned to his military duties, while Catherine embraced her single life. She was frequently seen out on the town with her sister Pippa, often wearing daring outfits. Her newfound attention, including from shipping heir Sir Henry Rener, caused William to question the breakup and reconsider winning her back.
The couple eventually reunited at a mutual friend's “freaky Friday” themed fancy dress party. William dressed as a policeman, while Catherine donned a nurse’s outfit with fishnet tights. They spent the evening deep in conversation before hitting the dance floor, where they shared a kiss. When friends jokingly suggested they should find a private space, the couple slipped away together. While it was widely believed that their mutual friends played a role in their reunion, it was their own chemistry that truly brought them back together.
Initially keeping their reconciliation private, the couple was later spotted kissing at an army party in Bovington, Dorset. In July 2007, Catherine and her brother James attended the concert for Diana at Wembley to mark the tenth anniversary of William’s mother’s death. The couple took a romantic trip to the Seychelles in September, during which Catherine reportedly insisted on increased security if they were to make their relationship work.
According to Jobson, they secretly agreed to marry in the near future. By April 2008, William had qualified as a pilot and was assigned to RAF Valley Anglesey. Catherine, growing impatient with their long-distance relationship, moved to a nearby four-bedroom farmhouse. While Catherine worked remotely as a web designer for her family’s event business, she occasionally felt lonely, especially when William worked night shifts.
Finally, in 2010, William proposed during a romantic trip to Kenya, by Lake Alice, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives together.
