Prince William and Catherine famously met at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001, and started dating around late 2002. They were together for almost five years before reports surfaced that William broke up with Kate in 2007.

A new book titled 'William and Catherine' by the Mirror's Russell Myers states William "personally instructed Clarence House to confirm the news that he and Catherine were no longer together". In a heartbreaking five-worded statement, it is revealed William confided to a courtier that, "at least she is free".

An extract from the new book, which will be released on February 26, reads: "In a shock move, William personally instructed Clarence House to confirm the news that he and Catherine were no longer together. But, behind the scenes, there was much going on that suggested this was more than just a difference of opinion. It's telling that William confided to one senior courtier that, 'at least she is free.'"

It further reads: "This was perhaps the most significant moment in his life since his mother had passed. William revealed a deep distress and anxiety over what a relationship with him represented in the real world.

"The attention, the constant pressure and expectation. He held these things responsible for contributing to the breakdown of his previous relationships, but now, when it mattered the most, he wondered if he was taking the right course of action, for Catherine or himself."

However, the now Prince and Princess of Wales were quizzed on their brief separation during their engagement interview with ITV in 2010.

Speaking to ITV News' then-political editor, Tom Bradby William explained exactly why the pair split.

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"We were both very young," William explained, taking a lead on the awkward question. "It was at university, we were sort of both finding ourselves as such and being different characters and stuff, it was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up," the Prince continued.

"It was just sort of a bit of space and a bit of things like that, and it worked out for the better," he told Bradby.

The pair eventually tied the knot on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey.

Extracted from WILLIAM AND CATHERINE by RUSSELL MYERS, published by Ebury Spotlight on 26th February at £22. Copyright © Russell Myers 2025.