The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton, have weathered many storms in their marriage, including a brief split in the summer of 2007. During this time, the university sweethearts temporarily called it quits, causing ripples in the media and among royal watchers.

While the couple was apart, Kate sought solace in the company of her sister, Pippa Middleton, and trained with The Sisterhood Dragon Boat team. She also retreated to her maternal uncle Gary Goldsmith's villa, La Maison de Bang Bang, where she spent time with her siblings, Pippa and James Middleton.

In an exclusive interview with HELLO! magazine in 2013, Gary Goldsmith shared insights into Kate's retreat at his villa during the turbulent period.

He revealed that Kate seemed low and spent a significant amount of time on the phone, walking around the pool area. However, he hoped that being in the serene surroundings of the villa provided some comfort to her during this challenging time. 

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Fortunately, by the following month, William and Kate had reconciled their romance. Their reunion was marked by Kate's attendance at the concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium, where she was spotted sitting just two rows behind her ex-boyfriend, William.

When questioned about the role of Kate's holiday to Ibiza in rekindling their relationship, Gary expressed optimism, stating, "Wouldn't that be brilliant?"

Gary, who attended the royal wedding in 2011, also reminisced about spending time with William and Kate at the villa in 2006. He shared anecdotes about William's relaxed demeanour and charming personality during family gatherings, highlighting the prince's efforts to be a gentleman. 

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Speaking highly of Kate, Gary described her as confident, clever, and caring, emphasizing her dedication to her marriage and royal duties.

Gary Goldsmith, a self-made millionaire, has had a colourful personal life, with four marriages and one daughter, Tallulah, from his second marriage to Luan. In 2015, he put his Ibiza villa on the market for £6.5 million.

The revelation of William and Kate's brief split offers a rare glimpse into the challenges they faced early in their relationship and underscores the strength of their bond as a couple.