The Quiet Confidence of Knowing When to Walk Away

Prince William and Princess Kate first met when they both started attending the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001. After tying the knot in 2011, the pair went on to have three children together—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Reflecting on the start of the Prince and Princess of Wales's romance, one royal expert opened up about the "handsome boyfriend" Princess Kate had when she initially met William.

During a live episode of Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," royal expert and author Ingrid Seward shared, "[S]he and William were very good friends before they became lovers."

Seward continued, "She was, in a way, his sounding board. During, I think it was their first vacation from university, [William] drove to take Catherine out. He drove to her house in Bucklebury [in England] and he took her to the local pub, and they had a long, long chat."

Seward explained, "[T]hey were very good friends, and she listened to him and she advised him, and she said, 'Look, if you're not happy doing History of Art, you know, try to do something else. Do Geography or something,' which is what he did. She was such a good friend."

And according to Seward, William had some competition for Kate's affections.

"At the time [Kate] had a very handsome boyfriend," the royal expert shared. "So, it was very gradual, and I think that was what has really stuck them together. I think she just helped him hugely and, in turn, much later, he was able to help her."

Clearly, the couple's bond was undeniable.

Shop Royal Family Books