The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have become an iconic royal couple since they married at Westminster Abbey over eleven years ago, welcoming three children into the world and busying themselves with countless royal engagements. Their love story began in the early noughties, when the young prince had his eye caught by fellow student Kate at a charity fashion show at the University of St Andrews, with the pair pursuing an on-and-off relationship throughout the rest of the decade.
While William and Kate spent much of the noughties enjoying their university days and their blossoming relationship, William called for a break in 2007. During this turbulent time in their relationship, the second-in-line to the throne called upon Prince Charles and the Queen for advice on how to navigate the troubled waters.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl alleges that William, who will one day become King, had 'frank discussions' with his father and grandmother. During these talks, Prince Charles told his eldest son 'not to hurry into anything', reports The Express.
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In the 15 years that have followed the now-Duke and Duchess' split, Prince William has addressed the tricky time. The dad-of-three said: "We were both very young… we were both finding ourselves and being different characters. It was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up, so it was just a bit of space and it worked out for the better."
Kate has since shared her feelings during her break from her now-husband in 2007, with the Duchess claiming that she 'wasn't very happy', although the period of hardship made her a 'stronger person'. She said: "You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realised.
"I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you’re younger. I really valued that time for me as well, although I didn’t think it at the time."
Thankfully, Prince William didn't have cold feet for too long, as he got down on one knee a few years later while the couple were holidaying in Kenya. Since marrying in front of millions at Westminster Abbey in 2011, the couple have welcomed three mini Cambridges into the world: Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four.
The family-of-five have just moved from Apartment 1A, Kensington Palace in London to Adelaide Cottage on the Queen's Windsor estate, to be closer to Her Majesty and give George, Charlotte, and Louis a freer childhood. The three Cambridge children are starting a new chapter at Lambrook School in Berkshire, with Louis starting school for the very first time this month.
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