Long before they became one of the monarchy’s most stable couples, their relationship hit a breaking point that almost ended it for good. According to royal editor Russell Myers, the pair briefly put their romance on hold in 2007 during a difficult period marked by uncertainty and emotional strain.
In his new book William and Catherine, The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story, Myers draws on more than 100 interviews to trace the private turning points in their relationship. He says the timing felt right to tell their story in full, describing them as central figures in the modern monarchy.
The couple famously met while studying at the University of St Andrews, but several years later cracks began to show. After a rough patch, Catherine made it clear she needed clarity. She was not asking for an immediate engagement, but she wanted commitment and reassurance about their future.
William, weighed down by doubt and insecurity, did not respond the way she hoped. During a lengthy phone call, he admitted they were on different pages and said he could not promise marriage. The conversation left Catherine devastated, and the two agreed to step back and give each other space.
Privately, William struggled more than he let on. Myers writes that he confided in a senior courtier and appeared deeply unsettled by the possibility of losing the one constant in his life.
It was at this point that Queen Elizabeth II quietly stepped in. Sensing her grandson was floundering, she invited him to lunch and offered simple but pointed advice. According to a source quoted in the book, she reminded William that the surest path forward was one guided by faith. It was all she needed to say.
Not long after, William reached out to Catherine, unsure if she would even respond. Their early exchanges were cautious and slightly frosty, with Catherine keeping her guard up. Still, William admitted he missed her and suggested they attend a long planned party together.
When they finally came face to face, it was clear the spark had not gone anywhere. Guests later said the pair quickly drifted away from the crowd and spent hours talking. William opened up about his fears of commitment, the pressures of his world, and his fear of rejection. Catherine listened, knowing she still loved him, but stood firm in her belief that outside influences should not dictate their future.
By the end of the night, the distance between them had faded. As the party carried on, they were focused only on each other.
The rest is history. William and Catherine married in 2011 and now share three children, firmly established as one of the most enduring partnerships in royal life.
