Kate Middleton Reportedly Laid Down The Law With Prince William Over A Lingering Former Flame

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The Prince and Princess of Wales might have gotten their happily ever after, but it was hard won. Not only did the beloved royal couple briefly split in 2007, but their relationship reportedly went through a rough patch in the early 2000s when it became clear to Kate Middleton that Prince William was still somewhat hung up on his ex-girlfriend, Jessica Craig, which understandably left her worried. The two initially met when William visited Kenya back in 2000. Jessica's father, Ian Craig, had a hand in the arrangements for the prince's trip, and William returned to the country three more times.

Rumors swirled that William was dating Jessica, with The Telegraph even inferring that she was pretty much like his "former 'fiancée'" in a 2009 headline. The duo had plenty in common —Jessica started two conservation organizations, Panthera and Stop Ivory, and the Prince of Wales is also known to be a lover of nature and a committed conservationist himself. Therefore, it's not exactly shocking that Princess Catherine didn't approve of William's ongoing, close friendship with her. Many royals remain on good terms with their exes, but the Prince of Wales arguably got a little too friendly with his.

In 2010, Catherine seemingly had enough, and was understandably upset when William made his plans known to return to Kenya that year. "Jessica is hosting a charity marathon across the family wildlife estate and he [William] wanted to be there," a source confirmed to the Daily Star (via Express), as rumors about relationship trouble swirled again. "You can imagine how she [Kate] felt," they continued. "Kate is seriously worried and so should be. Jessica is a knock-out." In royal expert Christopher Andersen's book, "Brothers and Wives," he claimed Catherine was "threatened and humiliated" by their friendship.

Prince William isn't the only one who dated other people before he finally settled down. Kate Middleton had her fair share of romances, but none of her exes continued to be such a constant presence in their relationship like Jessica Craig did. Princess Catherine had plenty of evidence to back up her worries that William and Craig might be more than just friends too, hence her reported unhappiness with the prince's plans to visit her in Kenya in 2010. In 2003, while the future Prince and Princess of Wales were very much dating (without the public knowing yet), William invited Craig to his 21st birthday party. 

Catherine also received an invitation, but he reportedly hardly paid her any mind during the celebrations, with the seat of honor reserved for Craig. "Kate didn't know whether they had been romantically involved or not, but she noted that Jecca had been seated at the head table next to William, whereas Kate had to raise her glass to toast the prince from afar," royal expert Katie Nicholl noted in "Kate: The Future Queen." It didn't help that, in an interview before his birthday, William loudly proclaimed that he was still very single. 

According to "Brothers and Wives," Catherine also had to weather him attending several weddings with Craig during their relationship. Even Prince Harry, the royal rule-breaker in chief, eventually confronted William about his conduct, and "cautioned his headstrong brother to consider Kate's hurt feelings." The defiant prince still attended those weddings with Craig regardless, and eventually, King Charles III told William to make up his mind, warning him, "It isn't fair to Jecca." In the end, it all worked out, despite a few hiccups.