Exploring How Prince William And Kate Middleton Actually Met

Netflix’s hit series, ‘The Crown,’ has been captivating audiences since 2016 with its dramatized portrayal of the British royal family. In its final season, part 2, the show takes a closer look at the early days of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s relationship during their time as students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

The recent episode, titled Alma Mater, dives into the imagined encounter between a young Kate and her mother, Carole Middleton, with Princess Diana and Prince William while Christmas shopping. However, it’s important to note that this introduction is a work of fiction. In reality, Prince William and Kate first crossed paths as freshmen at the University of St. Andrews in 2001.

In a joint interview following their engagement in 2010, Prince William shared, “We were friends for over a year first, and then it sort of blossomed from then on. We just spent more time with each other and had a good giggle, had lots of fun, and realized that we shared the same interests and had a really good time.”

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Kate added her perspective, recalling, “I actually think I went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off, feeling very shy about meeting you. But actually, William wasn’t there [during freshers week], so it did take a bit of time for us to get to know each other. But we did become very close friends from quite early on.”

‘The Crown’ also playfully depicts a teenage Kate adorning her childhood bedroom with posters of Prince William, a detail that Kate herself denies. According to royal biographer Katie Nicholl, there might have been a possibility of them crossing paths in the ’90s during their secondary school days, as some friends claimed they met before St. Andrews.

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During their first year at St. Andrews, both Prince William and Kate dated other people before eventually finding their way to each other. Prince William had a brief relationship with fellow student Carley Massey-Birch, while Kate dated Rupert Finch, a fourth-year student at the time.

As shown in ‘The Crown,’ Prince William allegedly fell for Kate Middleton at a 2002 fashion show titled ‘The Art of Seduction.’ During the runway event, Kate, at the age of 20, wore a sheer black dress designed by fellow student Charlotte Todd. While Kate donned multiple looks, it was the lingerie-style dress that reportedly caught the Prince’s eye, marking a turning point in their friendship.