Kate Middleton pictured back in 2013(Image: WPA Pool, Getty Images)
Since their initial meeting at the University of St. Andrews, the love story of the Prince and Princess of Wales has been largely played out in the public eye.
The nation was swiftly captivated by the young woman who had captured the heart of the future King during the height of what became known as Willsmania.
Starting off as friends, Kate and William’s relationship eventually became romantic. However, after several years together, they briefly split in 2007 amidst rumours that William wasn’t ready for a serious commitment.
This separation proved to be short-lived, and the couple tied the knot four years later in 2011.
Royal expert Richard Eden, a regular on the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential podcast, disclosed that it was during this period of separation that he observed an interaction which convinced him of Kate’s ability to effortlessly adapt to Royal life, reports the Mirror US.
He recounted his first encounter with Kate, during which she was engaged in conversation with the late socialite, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.
Tara, who passed away in 2017, asked Kate how she was managing following the break-up, according to Eden.
Initially, Kate simply replied, “It’s fine.”
However, when Tara continued to probe, saying, “It must be so hard.”
Kate reportedly put an end to the topic with three calm words: “Really, it’s fine.”
Princess Catherine and Prince William welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron (not pictured) to Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025 in Windsor(Image: Getty Images)
In his column for the Daily Mail, Richard observed, “She made clear with her body language that she didn’t wish to discuss the subject, and the conversation moved swiftly on to happier and less fraught matters.
“At that time, Catherine was seen as a party-loving girlfriend of William, but my first encounter with her taught me that she was a tough cookie who wasn’t going to be inveigled into saying something she didn’t want to say.
“Indeed, she reminded me of members of the Royal Family, much older than herself, who have the uncanny ability to make small-talk with anyone without giving anything anyway,” he added.
During her official engagement interview, Kate reflected on their breakup, stating: “Well I think if you do go out with someone for quite a long time you do get to know each other very, very well, you go through the good times, you go through the bad times. I think if you can come out of that stronger and learn things about yourself.”