While Kate Middleton and Prince William’s brief breakup is now nothing but a distant memory to us all, details of how the now-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent their relationship hiatus—and who they spent it with—have once again resurfaced.
Following a breakup with the Prince in March 2007, a then 25-year-old Middleton escaped to Ireland for a holiday with her mum, Carole, and a group of friends, hoping to escape the UK before news of the split official broke.
Middleton has since spoken out about the couple’s decision to go their separate ways, saying: “I think I at the time wasn’t very happy about it, but actually it made me a stronger person.” The couple reportedly reunited just three months later in June 2017, but not before exploring their romantic options.
While we already know that Prince William actively pursued another member of the British aristocracy—and sister of brother Harry’s ex-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas—Isabella Calthorpe, before reuniting with Middleton, we’ve recently been reminded of who the now-Duchess spent her time with post-split.
As spotted by Cosmopolitan US, who rediscovered a report by Daily Mail UK written in June 2007, which tied Middleton to the Prince’s former Eton schoolmate, shipping heir Henry Ropner.
“Henry is delighted to be there for Kate now that she’s split from William,” a source told the publication. “They’ve been meeting up and enjoying themselves.” But this was no regular rebound scenario, with reports claiming that the pair’s relationship was nothing coincidental, considering Prince William dated Ropner’s ex, Jecca Craig, shortly after their own breakup.
The source continued, then saying “there’s been a lot of flirting” and “now she’s single, Kate is enjoying Henry’s company regularly. Henry is very wealthy. He has moved in William’s circle for years.”
Ropner, now 36-years-old married Natasha Sinclair back in July 2011, just three months after the Duke and Duchess’ nuptials, with Middleton and Prince William in attendance.
Can it still be taken as coincidence that the now-married royals reignited their relationship the very same month Middleton was spotted with Ropner? We’re going to say not likely.
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