Prince William and his wife Catherine captured the nation’s hearts since meeting at the University of St Andrew – but like all couples, they also went through some ups and downs

The Princess of Wales said she felt “humiliated” and complained that Prince William was treating her “like a doormat” while hanging out with other girls at clubs when they took a break from their relationship.

The couple, who are now the parents of three children, inspired the whole nation with their love story since meeting at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. But like any other couple, they also went through some ups and downs, breaking up a few times before tying the knot.

They reportedly went through a break-up in 2004 and then again in 2007 – and their second split was said to have left Catherine “desperately upset”. When asked about the split during their engagement interview, William simply said they had to “find their own way” and “grow up”, but did not give away any further details about it.

Catherine watching Prince William compete in the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match at Ham Polo Club in Richmond in 2006
Catherine watching Prince William compete in the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match at Ham Polo Club in Richmond in 2006 
Image:
Getty Images)

Kate during her graduation ceremony at St Andrews, Scotland, in 2005
Kate during her graduation ceremony at St Andrews, Scotland, in 2005 
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
However, the Mail on Sunday’s royal correspondent Katie Nicholl in 2007 claimed that they went their separate ways as William felt the “fun” had disappeared from their relationship. The report went on to claim that Kate was left “humiliated” and in turn after Prince William was spotted out and about at various London nightclubs with different girls following their

Speaking at the time, friends of Kate claimed harsh words were exchanged by the pair as a result and Kate felt that William was “cheapening her image” with his antics. One of Kate’s friends told the publication that Kate warned William about his behaviour and it was the first time in four years she had ever spoken to him that way.

“Kate told William that he was making her look bad,” one of her friends explained. “She has coped for years with girls flinging themselves at her boyfriend and for a while, she found it humorous and even flattering. But after his recent behaviour she gave him an ultimatum and told him that over the time he behaved like that in public, he was cheapening her image as well as his own.

“She told him she wasn’t prepared to be treated like a doormat and that his carefree behaviour was affecting her image. In the past, she had always let go of things like that, but this really bothered her.”

Clearly, her words had an impact and the pair soon reconciled, being spotted together just three months later. They went on to date for several more years before getting engaged in 2010. They then wed in a lavish fairytale ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 2011 and they now share three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.