The biggest party night of the year is just days away as we prepare to welcome a brand new year. And in 2006, before they were married, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had plans to see in the new year together.
Prince William had spent Christmas itself with the royals at Sandringham as usual, and the plan had been to travel to meet up with Kate to spend the 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.
Katie writes: “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.”
Weeks later in 2007, Kate and William briefly split and sources later said the Queen was disappointed by the break-up.
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 Princess Diana’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.
Kate and William spent Christmas this year at their country retreat Anmer Hall with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
At some point over the Christmas period, they will visit the Queen, who is spending the festive season at Windsor Castle after cancelling her annual trip to Sandringham.
It’s unknown exactly what the children will have received for Christmas, but according to royal expert Katie Nicholl, Kate is mindful not to lavish extravagant tech gifts on her three children.That’s because she’d reportedly prefer to get them practical presents so they don’t end up having too much screen time at once.
