New book reveals details of Will and Kate's famous split in 2007

A new book has revealed further details on William and Kate's 2007 split. Photo / Getty Images

They may be one of the most watched couples in the world, but even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have battled through their fair share of rocky patches.

After meeting at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001 and remaining friends for a year, the couple's friendship then developed into a relationship.

But after approximately five years together, William and Kate split up for a short period, with a new book revealing further details about why they called it quits, and how that wasn't the only time they called it quits before becoming engaged in 2010.

Kate Middleton and Prince William went through a very public breakup in 2007. Photo / Getty Images

According to The Express, the book, The Duchess of Cambridge: How Kate Middleton Became A Future Queen, reveals that a young Prince William started to feel "claustrophobic" in the relationship, and went on a trip to Greece with his friend Guy Pelly for some space.

According to author Jessica Jayne, the boys trip left Kate feeling "miserable", after she discovered Mr Pelly organised an all-female crew for the sailing trip around Greece.

A source revealed in the book that instead of going on a girls trip post breakup, she went and spent time with her family in Berkshire.

"She got quite drunk on white wine and really let her guard down," they said. "She was debating whether or not she should text or call him.

"She said how sad she was and how much she was missing William but never mentioned it after that."

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smile following their marriage at Westminster Abbey. Photo / Getty Images

At the time, Clarence House refused to directly address the reports, instead saying in a statement: "We don't comment on Prince William's private life."

In 2010 during an interview with ITV News following the announcement of their engagement, William explained exactly why the pair split.

"We were both very young," he said in response to the question.
"It was at university, we were sort of both finding ourselves as such and being different characters and stuff, it was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up."

During the interview, Kate added: "I think I … at the time wasn't very happy about it, but actually it made me a stronger person.

Britain's Prince William, right and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge leave after attending the first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London. Photo / AP

"You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn't realised, or 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."

Prince William proposed during a trip to Africa in 2010 with his late-mother's engagement ring.

The pair got married the following year, and now share three children together — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.