The young prince capped off his breakup with his college sweetheart by indulging in a night of heavy drinking. An insider later revealed what the future Queen of England said during their brief time apart.
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s relationship has captivated the public since their university days. Over the years, they have faced challenges, including a brief split that caused a media frenzy and remains a hot topic to date, yet their bond remained strong.
What started as a friendship at the University of St Andrews in September 2001 gradually blossomed into something more.
Middleton and Prince William, who both lived at St Salvator’s Hall, grew closer in 2002 and were first seen publicly as a couple in 2004 when she joined him on a family ski trip to Klosters, Switzerland.
However, the romance that had captured attention seemed to come to an abrupt and humiliating end years later. Their time apart was anything but private, as Prince William’s actions in the wake of their split in 2007 quickly made headlines.
Middleton had waited patiently for him to commit, but the young royal, then considered the world’s most eligible bachelor, decided it was too soon for marriage.
To mark the breakup, he spent the night partying at Mahiki nightclub in Mayfair, surrounded by close friends. At one point, he declared, “I’m free!” before launching into a drunken robot dance. Encouraging his friends to “drink the menu,” he fully embraced the single life.
Word of his behavior soon reached Middleton, making an already painful split even more difficult. Meanwhile, speculation swirled that Prince William’s interest had shifted toward socialite Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, whom he had known for years.
Despite his attempts to pursue her, she reportedly turned him down, believing that dating a Prince could hinder her acting career. Few expected him to return to Middleton — or that she would take him back.
Their breakup, which came after four years together, took royal watchers by surprise. It is believed that tensions arose when Prince William chose not to spend New Year’s Eve with the Middletons in 2006. This led them to reevaluate their relationship, ultimately deciding to go their separate ways.
Middleton was at work in London when she took the phone call that ended their relationship. A colleague later recalled seeing her step outside, pacing the office car park while speaking on her mobile.
“It was clear it was William — and definitely a tiff,” they noted, adding that she looked upset but remained composed. Wanting privacy, she had deliberately walked away from others to avoid being overheard.
Though she showed no outward signs of distress upon returning to the office, the future Princess of Wales withdrew for the rest of the day. At the time, those around her saw it as a simple disagreement, unaware that it marked a turning point in their relationship.
According to royal expert Robert Jobson, the breakup occurred just before Middleton’s 25th birthday while Prince William was serving in the military. The British press was eagerly anticipating an engagement, making the split all the more unexpected.
Jobson described it as a “devastating blow” for Middleton, who felt doubly disappointed by the fact that their relationship ended over the phone. Though it was not the first time Prince William had stepped away, this time, it felt final.
During her brief time apart from Prince William, the Princess of Wales and her sister, Pippa Middleton, attended the launch of Simon Sebag Montefiore’s book “Young Stalin.”
At the event, TV presenter Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, a longtime friend of William’s family, openly discussed the royal in Middleton’s presence.
The conversation eventually turned to the breakup, but Middleton remained composed. When asked how she was, she simply said, “Fine,” though her blush suggested otherwise. As the questioning continued, she stood firm, replying, “Really, it’s fine,” making it clear she had no desire to elaborate.
Jobson later shared that based on his reporting, Prince William quickly came to regret his decision. He explained that at the time, both were in their mid-20s, and while they were well-matched, the timing wasn’t right.
At the time, Middleton appeared to move forward with her life, stepping out with her sister and going on dates. Meanwhile, Prince William found himself confined to life on a military base, leading him to realize he had made a mistake — one that he would soon try to undo.
Eager to make amends, the future King of England took the chance to reconnect with Middleton at a mutual friend’s gathering. Royal reporter Katie Nicholl recounted in “Kate: The Future Queen” that Prince William, despite initiating the split, had to work to regain Middleton’s trust. She was hesitant, telling him she needed time to heal from the heartbreak.
In an effort to win her over, he invited her to a costume party. Middleton arrived dressed as a “sexy” nurse, wearing a short dress and fishnet tights — a sight that seemed to leave Prince William completely smitten.
According to Nicholl, he “followed her around like a lost puppy all night,” making it clear he was determined to win her back. Their relationship was rekindled, but it would be years before they took the next step toward marriage.
During a trip to Kenya in October 2010, Prince William proposed. Both 28 at the time, they shared their engagement news with the world the following month.
Reflecting on their past, he acknowledged that their time apart had been a period of growth, “We were both very young… we were sort of both finding ourselves.” Middleton admitted it had been difficult but believed it ultimately made her “a stronger person.”
By the time she joined the royal family, Middleton knew exactly what she was stepping into. As Jobson noted, she had already experienced the ups and downs of dating a Prince but was certain that their love would endure.
Middleton’s confidence in their love carried her into royal life, and on April 29, 2011, she and Prince William married at Westminster Abbey in a globally watched ceremony. Now 42 and 43, they share three children — Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.
As their 13th wedding anniversary approached in early 2024, rumors resurfaced about Prince William’s alleged affair with former model Rose Hanbury. Speculation first arose in 2019 when reports revealed that Middleton had distanced herself from Hanbury, once a close friend.
Married to David Rocksavage, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, Hanbury lived near Anmer Hall, and the couples were part of Norfolk’s elite “Turnip Toffs” social circle.
Reports claimed the Princess had chosen to “phase out” Hanbury, though the reason remained unclear. Royal sources denied any feud, and journalist Richard Kay stated both women had considered legal action but refrained due to a lack of evidence.
The rumors escalated when columnist Giles Coren publicly stated, “Everyone knows about the affair, darling,” before deleting the post.
I’ve investigated the Alleged affair between William & Rose Hanbury.
William doesn’t even like her,
He said she’s a pain in the arse!#princewilliamaffair #PrinceOfPegging pic.twitter.com/ArNX6lSyCA— HRM Camilla (Parody) (@HrmQueene) July 29, 2022
The palace swiftly intervened, reportedly threatening legal action, causing the tabloids to drop the story. No proof of an affair ever emerged, and Hanbury and her husband remain publicly associated with the Waleses. She reportedly dismissed the rumors as “completely false.”
As speculation about her marriage made headlines, Middleton was dealing with a personal health matter away from the public eye.
On January 17, 2024, Kensington Palace announced that she had undergone “planned abdominal surgery” at the London Clinic. The procedure required a lengthy recovery, with Middleton expected to remain out of the public eye until after Easter on March 31.
The palace acknowledged public interest but stressed her desire for privacy, especially for the sake of her children. Any further updates, they stated, would only be shared if there was “significant new information.”
As concerns about Middleton’s health grew, her husband addressed the public during the London Air Ambulance Charity Gala on February 7, 2024.
He expressed gratitude for the support shown to both his wife and King Charles, acknowledging that recent weeks had taken a “medical” turn. Adding a touch of humor, he quipped that attending the event was his way of escaping the constant focus on health matters.
Middleton’s health challenges have only amplified public interest in her recent appearances. For the first time in two years, she joined King Charles at Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day Service in March 2025.
Both had been undergoing cancer treatments, but it was Middleton, dressed in a red Catherine Walker coat and matching Gina Foster hat, who captured the spotlight. Her presence dominated headlines, with images of her making front-page news the next day.
Much like the late Queen Elizabeth, who often chose bold colors to command attention, Middleton appears to favor elegant monochromatic looks that reinforce her significance within the Royal Family.
Kate Middleton’s journey — from a university student navigating young love to a poised future queen — has been marked by both personal trials and public scrutiny. Despite rumors and challenges, she continues to carry out her royal role with grace, demonstrating unwavering commitment to her family and duties.
Her recent appearance at the Commonwealth Day Service signaled strength amid her health battle, reassuring the public of her enduring presence. As she steps forward, Middleton remains a defining figure in the modern monarchy, embodying both tradition and resilience in the face of change.
