The royal romance remained largely concealed from the public for over two years.
Prince William’s relationship with Kate Middleton began as a friendship during their time at the University of St Andrews, evolving into something more significant in 2002. Although it was not formally disclosed to the public until 2005, Robert Jobson notes in his new biography of the Princess of Wales that “it was an open secret” within the student community.
However, it was not until they participated in a drinking game at a dinner party that the couple publicly acknowledged their relationship to others. Carly Massy-Birch, who briefly dated William during his first term, posed a question during a round of “Never Have I Ever” that revealed the nature of his relationship with Kate.
Katie Nicholl, as referenced by Mr. Jobson, detailed the incident in her 2013 book Kate: The Future Queen.
A party attendee recounted to Nicholl that Carly had declared, “I’ve never dated two people in this room,” fully aware that William was the only individual present who had, given that Kate was seated beside him.
The prince reportedly reacted with a “thunderous look,” whispering to his ex, “I can’t believe you just said that.”
Jobson further noted that William and Kate were frequently seen walking or cycling to lectures, browsing the aisles of the local Safeway supermarket, or enjoying quiet evenings at home while listening to William’s R&B tracks or Fergus’s jazz on their music systems.
They resided together with Fergus Boyd and Olivia Bleasdale in a maisonette on Hope Street in the center of town, paying a rent of £100 per week.
“We moved in together as friends because we were living together with a couple of others, and it just sort of blossomed from there,” the Prince later stated during the couple’s official engagement interview.
Kate revealed to TV chef Mary Berry on her 2019 show A Berry Royal Christmas that William enjoyed trying to “impress” her with his culinary skills while they were at university.
“In university days, he used to cook all sorts of meals,” she noted. “I think that’s when he was trying to impress me, Mary! Things like Bolognese sauce and similar dishes.”
The nature of their initially platonic relationship may have shifted in 2002 when William discreetly purchased a ticket to a charity gala where Kate walked the runway in a revealing see-through outfit. It is reported that he remarked to a friend upon seeing her, “Wow. Kate’s hot!”
The couple was publicly recognized when they were photographed together on the slopes of Klosters in Switzerland in 2005.
Jobson noted that Kate’s father, Michael Middleton, had attempted to dispel rumors two years prior. He informed reporters outside the family home, “I spoke to her just a few days ago and can categorically confirm they are no more than just good friends.”
Any lingering resentment William may have harbored towards Massy-Birch was evidently short-lived, as she was invited to William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.
