On the night of April 14, 2007, in what became Kate Middleton and Prince William’s second major breakup, Kate was photographed by the paparazzi leaving Boujis nightclub in tears and climbing into a taxi alone.
Shortly afterwards she gave William a shock ultimatum which would see their relationship become more committed and eventuate in their marriage.
Compromising photographs had been published in the press of William enjoying a night out at the Elements nightclub near Bovington Army Camp with a young Brazilian named Ana Ferreira. Kate later learned that he had danced the night away with another pretty girl.
Seeing the photographs in the press the next day, Kate had had enough and delivered another ultimatum. Either she had William’s full commitment, or they should take another break from the relationship.
She hoped her stance would bring William to his senses, but he was not yet ready to make a commitment.
Prince William was still living in army barracks and spending off-duty evenings with his army mates drinking in the local pubs. Back in London at his old haunt, the Polynesian-themed Mahiki club, he celebrated his newfound freedom by dancing with a series of pretty girls and after drinking too much yelled, “I’m free, I’m free!”
Much later, William would explain his conduct saying, “We were both very young…were both finding ourselves.”
For William, the memory of his parents’ turbulent marriage made him cautious about making any commitment to Kate. He was intelligent and sensitive and did not want to hurt her, but the combination of his parents’ divorce followed by his mother’s terrible death had made him wary.
Kate and William’s reunion took place at a fancy-dress party at William’s barracks.
Kate went as a ‘naughty nurse’ and William wore a policeman’s helmet and hotpants. They danced together all evening and spent the night together – and the relationship was back on its former footing.
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea, on sale now.
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