Prince William reportedly ‘pleaded’ with Kate Middleton to give him a second chance after their 2007 split

It hasn’t always been happy families for William and Kate. Now a new book has revealed how they got things back on track after splitting in 2007.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, might be happily married with three adorable children — but their relationship hasn’t always been so smooth sailing.

After six years of dating, the university lovebirds briefly split for a few months back in 2007.

The Duke of Cambridge was reportedly the one who instigated the split after Prince Charles told him “it was unfair to string Kate along” and felt his son was too young to settle down at the age of 25.

William and Kate on their wedding day in 2011. Picture: AFP

However in her book Kate: The Future Queen, royal expert Katie Nicholl claims that it didn’t take long before William was “pleading” with his ex-girlfriend for a second chance, reports The Sun.

After he broke things off with Kate in April 2007, the author claims William met up with his ex-girlfriend towards the end of May to try and patch things up.

MORE: Touching Diana tribute at christening

MORE: Queen ‘sad’ about William, Harry feud

MORE: Kate and William share sweet moment

The couple pictured in 2007, not long after they got back together. Picture: AFP

Nicholl writes: “They secretly met up at Clarence House and at a pub close to Highgrove, where William told her he wanted to get back together.

“Kate didn’t want to rush anything. She had been badly hurt and told William she needed some time.”

The couple has a laugh in Ireland earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

At a rugby game in 2007. Picture: AFP

In June, William invited Kate to a “Freakin’ Naughty-themed” fancy dress party at his army barracks in Dorset — and by this time, the author claims “she had made her mind up” about their future together.

The author added: “[Kate was] dressed as a nurse — a rather sexy one in fishnet tights and a short dress.”

The couple now has three kids, George, Charlotte and Louis. Picture: AFP

Needless to say, Prince William “followed her around like a lost puppy” and the two “couldn’t keep their hands off each other” according to fellow partygoers.

By the end of the evening, Katie claims the couple had officially rekindled their romance.

Commenting on their brief time apart in their 2010 engagement interview, the Duchess said: “At the time I wasn’t very happy about it but actually it made me a stronger person.

“I really valued that time, for me as well, although I didn’t think it at the time.”

Celebrating St Patrick’s Day together with a pint of Guinness. Picture: AFP

This story was originally published in The Sun and is reprinted with permission.