The Prince and Princess of Wales have become known as the greatest royal love story in modern royal history, having gone from strength to strength after meeting at the University of St Andrews more than 20 years ago.
The couple first met in 2001 when they started their studies at the Scottish institution, going public with their romance in 2004 when they were photographed on a ski holiday in Switzerland. However, they briefly split in 2007 after Kate gave William an "ultimatum" – to commit to their future together, or she would walk away forever.
It was William who called off their relationship – but he found the split devastating, as revealed in a new book by The Mirror's Royal Editor Russell Myers, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story.
Heartbreakingly, William is said to have told a senior courtier: "At least she is free", after making the difficult decision to end his relationship with Kate. He was likely referring to the royal family's strict expectations for his future bride because, as the future King, his wife would also be expected to conform to a lifetime of royal duty.
The five-word remark shows just how difficult William's situation was, as his future with Kate remained unclear. According to the book, he then began to wonder whether he had made the right decision after all.
© Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth's intervention
Elsewhere in the book, Russell reveals how the late Queen Elizabeth played a crucial role in bringing William and Kate back together once and for all. It was the Queen who convinced William to rekindle the relationship and gave Kate advice on joining the royal family, the book reveals for the first time.
© Getty ImagesThe Queen's advice proved crucial and, three years after getting back together, Prince William and Kate tied the knot at Westminster Abbey in 2011. The couple reconciled in the summer of 2007, just months after their split. William proposed in October 2010 on a private holiday in Kenya, and, almost a decade after meeting at university, they tied the knot in 2011.
The pair have since gone on to become parents of three, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven, balancing family life with royal duties and navigating life's highs and lows, including Kate's chemotherapy treatment in 2024.
Royal outings
The Princess of Wales made her much-anticipated return to the BAFTA Awards on Sunday night, joining her husband Prince William on the red carpet at London's Royal Festival Hall. She recycled a soft mauve and pink Gucci gown from 2019 with her brunette locks in loose waves over her shoulders.
It was the first time Kate had attended the ceremony in three years due to her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan and coverage.
The surprise appearance marked a busy weekend for the Princess, as she also made a solo outing on Saturday to Twickenham to watch England take on Ireland in the Six Nations.
William and Kate's attendance came amid a tense week for the royal family following the arrest of William's uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over allegations of misconduct in public office.
