Although it seems to have all the ingredients, the love story between Prince William and Kate Middleton has not always been a fairy tale. In a new book dedicated to the Princess of Wales, author Robert Jobson looks back on a moment of breakup between the lovers... and reveals the reaction of the heir to the throne.
It's hard to imagine a world where Prince William would never have married Kate Middleton. And yet, this nightmare almost came true. In November 2010, Kensington Palace finally made the engagement of the future Prince of Wales and Kate Middleton official. With stars in their eyes, the lovebirds gave their first interview as a couple and shared some details about their love at first sight on the benches of the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland.
"As soon as I saw Kate, I knew she had something special. At St Andrews, we were friends for over a year, and our relationship blossomed from there. We just spent more time together and realized we shared the same interests. We had some wonderful times. She has a great sense of humor, which is precious to me," confided Prince Harry's big brother. For her part, the pretty brunette admitted to having been very impressed by their first meeting, so much so that she "ran away immediately", blushing. And she could have turned around for good.
Kate and Prince William separated in 2007: the reasons for a breakup
If the two students end up falling in love, they experience turbulent times like all couples... with a first separation in 2004. Then a big scare, three years later. Not yet ready to commit, Prince William could no longer stand the pressure of a potential marriage proposal and preferred to take refuge in partying, sometimes behaving like a bachelor. Between two nights at a nightclub, he made a phone call and announced to Kate Middleton that their story was now a thing of the past. "Kate left a business meeting at Jigsaw, the fashion boutique where she had recently started working, to take a call from William in a conference room that was safe from prying ears. She closed the door for over an hour. When she came out, she was single," wrote royal author Robert Lacey.
What's going on between William and Kate Middleton?
Liberated, delivered, Prince William of Wales felt like he was growing wings and organized a new boozy evening to celebrate his singlehood. "He celebrated their breakup with a boozy night out at Mahiki nightclub in Mayfair with his friends. 'I'm free,' he yelled as he drunkenly imitated the robot dance. He then told his friends they should drink everything on the menu, and that's pretty much what they did," reads Robert Jobson's book Catherine, Princess of Wales. The reality check was ultimately more violent than expected.
How did Kate get William back after their split?
Far from hiding at home listening to Mariah Carey, the cancer-battling actress also decided to enjoy life and made sure her ex-partner was well aware of her every move. Looking more beautiful than ever, she hit the clubs of London. Remorseful, William contacted her again and the couple gave each other another chance. The last one, for better or for worse.
