Marie Claire recently recalled the 2006 Christmas of Prince William and then-Kate Middleton (who had been dating for over four years). That Christmas, William invited Kate to Sandringham (where the royal family usually spends the vacations), but she declined, saying she would not come without a ring on her finger. On New Year's Eve, the Mirror reported that Kate broke down in tears that year, 2006, when William changed his New Year's plans, as it is well known that tomorrow is Christmas.

After spending Christmas separately, the then-24-year-old had planned to spend New Year's together. According to Katie Nicole's book, The Making of a Royal Romance, Kate "burst into tears" and "worried about the future of their relationship."

According to the Mirror, "William had promised Kate he would join her family, but decided to stay with them instead, telling her by phone on Boxing Day (December 26)."

Nicole wrote, "William reconsidered and sat down with his father and grandmother to have a frank discussion about his future with Kate. Both advised him not to rush into anything"

.

The 2006 holiday season was a prelude to William and Kate separating in 2007, which, according to sources, disappointed the queen. Within weeks, however, the couple got back together, and that July Kate and her brother James attended a "Concert for Princess Diana" at Wembley to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of William's mother, Princess Diana.

And all's well that ends well: "Kate moved into William's Clarence House flat, and William returned from military duty on Friday nights for a cozy weekend together; they became engaged in 2010 and married the following year.