The seemingly unshakeable bond between the Prince and Princess of Wales, a cornerstone of the modern monarchy, faced a severe test early in their relationship. A royal author has disclosed a poignant moment in 2006 when Prince William's eleventh-hour decision to alter their New Year's Eve arrangements reportedly left his then-girlfriend, Kate Middleton, devastated and in tears.
The New Year's Eve Promise That Was Broken
In the years before their 2011 marriage, royal tradition dictated that William and Kate spend Christmas apart. He would join the wider Royal Family at Sandringham, while she returned to her family home in Bucklebury. As an alternative, the couple made plans to celebrate New Year's Eve together in 2006. However, in a move that caused significant distress, William had a change of heart at the very last minute.
According to Katie Nicholl in her book The Making of a Royal Romance, William had promised to join Kate and her family but chose to stay with the royals instead. He delivered this news to Kate over the phone on Boxing Day 2006. Nicholl writes that William was having second thoughts and sought counsel from his father, King Charles, and his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. Both senior royals advised the future king not to hurry into anything regarding his relationship with Kate.
A Temporary Split and Lasting Reconciliation
The fallout from this broken plan was significant. Merely weeks later, in 2007, Prince William made the decision to end his relationship with Kate Middleton altogether. This period of separation, however, proved to be brief. The couple reconciled after just a few months, demonstrating the strength of their connection.
Their romance continued to flourish, leading to their engagement in 2010 and their grand wedding at Westminster Abbey in 2011. Today, they are parents to three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The family has recently moved from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge in Windsor, following a year in which the Princess completed her cancer treatment and celebrated her 43rd birthday.
William's Heartfelt Tribute to His 'Better Wife'
Now approaching their 15th wedding anniversary, Prince William has often publicly acknowledged the pivotal role Catherine plays in his life. During a visit to the Youth Shedz organisation in North Wales, he shared a revealing sentiment with founder Scott Jenkinson and his wife Sian. After Scott credited his wife for his turnaround from homelessness and addiction, William nodded in agreement and stated: "This is it. Behind every average man there is an even better wife."
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond commented on this remark, telling the Mirror it was a "sweet comment, which showed just how equal their partnership is, and how much William values Catherine's support and advice in everything he does." She added that William deserves credit for acknowledging the universal truth of a partner's support, noting that Catherine undoubtedly juggles a million tasks to keep their family life on track.
William has also offered rare glimpses into their shared parenting duties. In a conversation with Brazilian presenter Luciano Huck, he joked about being the "taxi driver" for their children, sharing school runs and sports days with Catherine. "I mean, Catherine and I share it. She probably does the bulk of it," he admitted with a smile, highlighting their modern, hands-on approach to family life away from the public glare.
