Prince William had intended to spend the New Year period with Kate Middleton in 2006, but had a change of heart and instead stayed with his family. Now is the time of year when families start to make plans about where they will spend Christmas. And in 2006 before they were married, it seems the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were no different.
Prince William was set to spend Christmas itself with the royals at Sandringham as usual, and then apparently travel to meet up with Kate to spend New Year with the Middletons. But according to a book, Kate was left in tears when William cancelled his plans last minute – leaving her fearing for the future of their relationship.
In her book released in 2011, The Making of a Royal Romance, royal author Katie Nicholl claims William had promised Kate he would join her family but decided to stay with his family instead – informing her on the phone on Boxing Day.
And although Katie says the decision seemed like “no big deal”, Kate had a “good reason to be concerned”. Katie adds: “William had been having second thoughts and sat down with his father and his grandmother to have a frank discussion about his future with Kate. Both advised him not to hurry into anything.”
The Cambridges pictured at their Norfolk residence Anmer Hall
Weeks later in 2007, Kate and William briefly split and sources later said the Queen was disappointed by the break-up. Shortly after, Kate was spotted out and about on the town and even gave a glimpse of a self-help book in her handbag, entitled Love Is Not Enough: A Smart Woman’s Guide To Keeping (And Making) Money.
But the split seemed to be short-lived as weeks later, William and Kate were seen kissing at an army party at barracks in Bovington, Dorset. And in July 2007, Kate and her brother James were seen at the Concert for Diana, held at Wembley to mark 10 years since William’s mother’s death.
It wasn’t long before their romance was confirmed to be back on, and Kate moved into William’s Clarence House flat, where he would return from military duties on Friday nights for cosy weekends together – and the rest they say is history.
It’s unclear exactly where William and Kate will be spending Christmas this year with their children George, Charlotte and Louis. But the Queen has told her family she will host Christmas at Sandringham again this year.
The monarch is said to be “totally committed” to entertaining her loved ones at her Norfolk home after missing out last year because of the pandemic.
