The enduring romance of Prince William and Princess Kate wasn’t always a certainty. A new biography, William and Catherine, The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story by Russell Myers, reveals a period in 2007 when the couple briefly separated, and how a quiet intervention from Queen Elizabeth II ultimately helped solidify their future together.
The book, drawing on nearly 100 interviews, details the pressures faced by the young couple as they navigated a relationship under intense public scrutiny while William balanced his royal duties with a desire for a more normal life. Their story began as a friendship during their first year at the University of St Andrews in 2001, blossoming into romance during their undergraduate years. This relative anonymity allowed Kate to establish her own identity before the full glare of the media descended.
However, by January 2007, the weight of that scrutiny began to take its toll. Kate, on her 25th birthday, was besieged by a throng of over 20 press photographers and five television crews as she left her apartment. The experience left her deeply shaken. According to Myers, she called William “in floods of tears” after fighting her way through the paparazzi to reach her car, only to have them continue photographing her through the windows. A source close to the couple described the situation as “incredibly distressing for both of them.”
This incident sparked a crisis. Kate reportedly told William, “I can’t do this anymore,” signaling a breaking point in their relationship. The biography suggests that William was hesitant to fully commit, feeling they were at “different stages” in their lives and unable to offer the assurances Kate needed. A friend of the Princess revealed that Kate wasn’t seeking a proposal, but rather a clear commitment to their future. She felt she had nothing to lose and expressed her true feelings, stating that if that commitment wasn’t forthcoming, a separation was the best course of action.
It was at this juncture that Queen Elizabeth II stepped in, not as the monarch, but as a grandmother who recognized the potential in the relationship. Myers reports that the Queen held a discreet conversation with William, urging him to have faith in his love for Kate. Her counsel proved pivotal, giving William the perspective he needed to reassess his doubts and understand the importance of fighting for their future.
The Queen, according to Myers, “could see [Kate] had all the qualities of a future Queen.” Her intervention served as a “catalyst for William changing course” and recognizing that a strong belief in their relationship was enough to overcome the challenges they faced.
In the months that followed, William and Kate slowly began to rebuild their connection. William initiated contact, expressing his longing for Kate and suggesting they attend a previously planned event together. Kate agreed, and reports from those present at the event indicated that the spark between them was immediately rekindled.
The couple ultimately reconciled, marrying in , and becoming a cornerstone of the modern British monarchy. They now have three children: Prince George, born in . Princess Charlotte, born in ; and Prince Louis, born in .
The story of William and Kate’s near-breakup and the Queen’s subsequent intervention offers a rare glimpse behind the carefully constructed facade of royal life. It underscores the human complexities within the institution and highlights the significant role Queen Elizabeth II played not only as a monarch but also as a guiding force within her family, ensuring the stability and future of the Crown.
