In late 2002 Prince William started his second year at St Andrews University in Scotland.
For the new academic year he moved out of St Salvator’s Hall where he stayed during his first year – and moved into a luxury flat with three friends. One of his new flatmates was Kate Middleton who also studied History of Art with Prince William the previous year. They also shared with Fergus Boyd, a 21-year-old who was at Eton with William, and one other student.
In spring 2002 it was reported that William paid £200 for a VIP seat at a university charity fashion show in which Kate was modelling the dress in the picture.
Kate has been credited with persuading William to stay with his course at St Andrew’s when he was considering giving it up.
The Sun said that William’s flatmate had become his increasingly regular companion. The newspaper also asked whether Kate has really become the queen of William’s heart.
Both both attended exclusive public schools, William going to Eton and Kate to £15,000-a-year Marlborough College in Wiltshire.
During her leisure time, Kate is often found on the other side of the bar, drinking at popular Ma Bells pub with William.
The day the story was published Kate’s father, company director Michael Middleton, said: "I spoke to Kate just a few days ago and can categorically confirm they are no more than just good friends "People do not seem to realise that there are two girls and two boys sharing the flat at the university. They are together all the time because they’re the best of pals – and yes, cameramen are going to get photos of them together. "But there is nothing more to it than that. We are very amused at the thought of being in-laws to Prince William, but I don’t think it is going to happen."
Smart, sporty and blessedly normal, Prince William’s girlfriend, Kate Middleton, may be the first girl next door to become Queen.
In February 2005 it was reported that Prince William and Kate were staying the prince’s Balmoral hideaway to take a break from their university studies.
It is understood the couple had enjoyed at least three breaks together at William’s cottage, which was given to him by the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward in her new book William And Harry, William is self-mocking about the power his position supposedly gives him over women.
His favourite chat-up line is "Hi, I’m the future king, wanna pull?". This is often said in a flat tone, loaded with irony.