The Prince and Princess of Wales recently celebrated 15 years of marriage, but their path to the altar included one short breakup that still draws interest. Back in 2007, during their time at university, Prince William and Kate Middleton spent two months apart. It was a private split that played out under growing public attention. One moment from that period has lasted: Kate’s clipped response when she was asked how she was coping. According to Hello!, the exchange happened at the launch of historian Simon Sebag Montefiore’s book Young Stalin.
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Kate Middleton Gave a Brief Answer in 2007
At the event, Kate attended with her sister Pippa Middleton and crossed paths with Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, a longtime friend of William and Prince Harry. Tara asked how she was feeling after the breakup, and Kate kept it short. "Fine," said Kate according to Hello!. When Tara pressed again, Kate replied: "Really, it's fine." The moment was brief, but it suggested she had little interest in discussing the split in public. After that, the conversation reportedly moved on to lighter topics.
Prince William Marked the Breakup Very Differently
The separation appears to have affected the couple in very different ways. Royal biographer Robert Jobson wrote that William threw himself into a big night out with friends at Mahiki in Mayfair. He described the prince celebrating with what he called an alcohol-heavy evening, even shouting that he was free while dancing. Kate, by contrast, leaned on family support. Jobson said her mother, Carole Middleton, quickly took her to Dublin for a break from the pressure and attention surrounding the split.
Kate Middleton Stayed Social as William Kept Low
Even with that family getaway, Kate did not disappear from public life for long. During the breakup, she was said to have maintained a more active social calendar, while William spent much of the period out of sight in his barracks. That contrast added to the sense that each was handling the separation on separate terms. Still, the distance did not last. Their relationship was rebuilt within weeks, showing how temporary the rupture turned out to be despite the attention it received at the time.
Prince William and Kate Reunited Before Their 2011 Wedding
The couple reconciled in June at Sam Waley-Cohen’s fancy dress party, called "Freakin Naughty." By the following month, they had effectively confirmed they were back together when Kate attended the Concert for Diana. From there, their relationship settled into a stronger phase that led to their April 2011 wedding. On the day itself, Kate wore a lace Alexander McQueen gown, and lip readers later reported William’s reaction at the altar: "You look lovely. You look beautiful." Years later, that difficult chapter reads as a short detour in a lasting marriage.
