The professional decision made sense for William, who had always been committed to his military path. But reports suggest it came as a surprise to his then girlfriend Kate. Nicholl wrote in her book Kate The Future Queen that the announcement turned Kate’s world upside down. She had believed that once William completed his military training, a proposal might follow. Instead, she was faced with the reality that an engagement was not on the horizon. She would need to wait longer than expected.
The author claimed that while Kate supported William’s ambitions, she was privately upset. She had been asked to adapt to the life of a military partner without the security of marriage. Nicholl described her frustration as understandable, suggesting it was a difficult period for the couple behind closed doors.