Kate Middleton and Prince William are "just winging it" according to one royal expert. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who recently celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary, have been an item for nearly two decades. The pair first crossed paths at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001, where they were both residing at St Salvator's Hall.
Kate reportedly caught William's attention during a charity fashion show in 2002, strutting down the runway in a see-through lace outfit, reports Daily Express UK. While many perceive their relationship as a fairytale romance, the journey to marital bliss wasn't always smooth sailing. After an on-again, off-again relationship spanning five years, rumors began circulating in early 2007 that William might pop the question to his university sweetheart on her 25th birthday on January 9.
However, despite the speculation, William chose not to propose to his long-term girlfriend, instead opting to end the relationship. The future king reportedly felt "claustrophobic" within the relationship. The split was widely publicized and discussed, unlike their previous break which allegedly occurred during their university years.
According to a 2007 report by the Daily Express, royal correspondent Richard Palmer claimed that once William ended things with Kate, he was spotted partying wildly in a London nightclub. The report also mentioned that the now Prine of Wales excitedly told a group of seven friends: "I'm free!" DON'T MISS: Queen Elizabet.
