Princess Catherine JUST Breaks Silence Over Pippa Middleton’s Split and SHOCKS Everyone

A Royal Christmas: Catherine’s Early Struggles with Family and Fame

For many families, deciding where to spend Christmas can be a tough choice. Just ask the Prince and Princess of Wales. In the early days of their relationship, the couple would spend Christmas with their respective families and come together for New Year’s. But one year, their plans didn’t go as expected—and a book claims that it left Catherine devastated. Her first Christmas with the royal family almost took a tearful turn as she grappled with guilt over her sister Pippa’s breakup with Alex Loudon.

Pippa, despite her newfound fame, has managed to maintain a relatively low profile. Her public image is one of elegance and reserve—often seen but seldom heard. Her marriage to hedge fund manager James Matthews further solidified her standing, linking her to another prominent British family. However, in December 2011, when Catherine was invited to join the late Queen at Sandringham for the festive season, it wasn’t all joy for the newlywed. Catherine reportedly felt sadness at being separated from Pippa, who had split with her boyfriend, Alex Loudon, just one month earlier.

Royal expert Katie Nell reflected on how the split cast a shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion for the new Princess of Wales. Pippa and Alex had dated for 18 months, and Alex had even attended William and Catherine’s royal wedding at Westminster Abbey. However, Alex, a former England cricketer, ended the relationship due to the complications that arose from Pippa’s new royal profile. The public spotlight, it seems, had a hand in Pippa Middleton’s heartbreak. Sources claimed that Alex adored Pippa but couldn’t cope with the circus surrounding her due to her sister’s royal status. “Nothing is straightforward anymore,” one insider said.

Before her sister’s wedding, Pippa was known to a select few and led a relatively quiet life in the English countryside. She worked for her parents’ company, Party Pieces, where she honed her skills in event planning. Her love for sports and the outdoors also defined much of her early life, and she was often seen participating in marathons and triathlons. Post-wedding, Pippa navigated the tricky waters of fame with remarkable grace and discretion.

Meanwhile, Catherine, still adjusting to her new role as Duchess of Cambridge, felt a deep sense of responsibility for Pippa’s heartbreak. She could hardly escape the guilt, especially as Pippa struggled with the unexpected public attention.

Alex, coming from a distinguished family himself, had his own challenges in navigating the media’s focus on his relationship with Pippa. His grandfather, Francis, was a barrister who married Lady Prudence Jellicoe, daughter of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, the first Earl of Jellicoe. His father, James, was a successful financier and former High Sheriff of Kent. While Alex’s parents didn’t view Pippa as wife material, they were reportedly welcoming towards her.

In the end, Pippa found love with James Matthews, and they were married on May 20, 2017, at St. Mark’s Church on the Englefield Estate. The couple now has three children: Arthur, Grace, and two-year-old Rose. Pippa’s third pregnancy became public when she showed off her baby bump at the 2022 Party at the Palace concert for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. Rose is now the youngest grandchild of Carol and Michael Middleton, behind her older siblings and royal cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Despite the early challenges, Catherine and William’s relationship thrived, with their love story standing the test of time. However, according to one book, there was a period of uncertainty when William canceled New Year’s plans with Catherine at the last minute, leaving her fearing for the future of their relationship. Fortunately, the couple reconciled soon after, and their romance was confirmed to be back on track. As they say, the rest is history.

As for their children, aged 10, 8, and 5, it is not known exactly what they received for Christmas this year. However, their mother, Princess Catherine, is reportedly mindful of not lavishing extravagant tech gifts on them. Instead, she prefers to give them practical presents to avoid too much screen time. The princess has always been careful about balancing her children’s lives and ensuring that they have a well-rounded upbringing, away from the constant media scrutiny that surrounds the royal family.