Kate Middleton Reflects on the Strength Gained from Time Apart Before Marrying Prince William

In a candid interview with the BBC during their 2010 engagement announcement, Prince William opened up about why he gave Kate Middleton time to think carefully about her decision to join the Royal Family. The Prince of Wales explained that he wanted to ensure Kate and her family had the opportunity to fully understand the realities of royal life before committing.

“Her and her family, I really want to make sure that they have the best, sort of, guidance and chance to see what life has been like—or what life is like—in the family,” William said. “That’s kind of why I have been waiting this long as I wanted to give her a chance to see and to back out if she needed to.”

Reflecting on their relationship journey, William added, “We were sort of both finding ourselves as such and being different characters. It was very much about trying to find our own way and growing up. It was just a bit of space and things like that, and it worked out for the better.”

During the interview, Kate Middleton also shared her perspective on their brief breakup before they eventually announced their engagement. She acknowledged that while the split was difficult at the time, it ultimately made her a stronger person.

“I think at the time I wasn’t very happy about it, but actually it made me a stronger person,” Kate admitted. “You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realized. I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you are younger, and I really valued that time for me as well, although I didn’t think it at the time—looking back on it.”

Their reflections reveal how both William and Kate navigated the complexities of their relationship, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of each other and the responsibilities that come with royal life.