The heartwarming anecdote of Prince William recalling his first encounter with his future wife, Kate, during their college days in Scotland has captured the attention of the public, further illuminating the couple’s early romance, which has recently been spotlighted as a prominent storyline in the final season of Netflix’s The Crown.
The royal couple, William and Kate, crossed paths in 2001 while pursuing the study of art history at St. Andrew’s University nestled on the east coast of Scotland. From a foundation of friendship, their relationship blossomed into a romance, leading to years of courtship before culminating in their engagement announcement in 2010 and their grand nuptials at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
Despite the media attention surrounding their marriage, the royal duo has largely maintained a private demeanor regarding their relationship, prompting ardent fans to eagerly share any glimpses of their affection or rare personal remarks.
One of the infrequent instances where William publicly acknowledged his bond with Kate occurred in 2021, when he was bestowed the honor by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to serve as the Lord High Commissioner of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
During his address at the assembly, William not only expressed his fondness for Scotland but also reflected on the pivotal role it played in uniting him and Kate. Edited excerpts from his opening speech, shared on TikTok by user l0velycatherine, have garnered over 700,000 views, resonating deeply with viewers.
In his poignant speech, William recounted how Scotland had been the backdrop for both his most joyful and sorrowful moments, referencing the tragic passing of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997 while he was at Balmoral Castle with his father and grandmother.
“Scotland is the source of some of my happiest memories,” William shared. “But also my saddest. I was in Balmoral when I was told that my mother had died.”
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The prince went on to describe how the Scottish landscape provided solace and refuge during the dark days of grief that followed, forging a deep connection to the country that would endure.
In a touching tribute to Kate, William reminisced about their initial meeting, noting, “And yet alongside this painful memory, is one of great joy. Because it was here in Scotland—20 years ago this year—that I first met Catherine. Needless to say, the town where you meet your future wife holds a very special place in your heart.”
Accompanied by evocative university-era photographs of the couple set to Lana Del Rey’s 2023 track, “Let The Light In,” the TikTok video has garnered over 137,000 likes and sparked a deluge of admiring comments, with users expressing sentiments such as “I feel like Diana sent her to him” and “OMG he’s so sweet.”
In 2023, William and Kate celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary, marking a significant milestone in their journey together. Additionally, they embarked on their inaugural year in their new elevated royal roles as Prince and Princess of Wales, bestowed upon them following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Reflecting on the couple’s new chapter, King Charles III, in his first address to the nation as monarch in September 2022, expressed his confidence in the ability of “our new Prince and Princess of Wales” to continue inspiring and leading national conversations, positioning themselves at the forefront of vital initiatives.
“They are going to make the best king and queen and I’m thankful I’ll be around to see it happen,” posted another, with a further user adding: “They are such a fabulous couple.”
William and Kate’s early years together will form a partial focus in the second part of The Crown‘s final season, airing on Netflix on December 14.
For the show, Kate will be played by newcomer actress Meg Bellamy, and William by Ed McVey.
In recent years, the couple have become the subject of numerous viral videos and social media posts, with many focusing on their public displays of affection (PDA).
Uploaded to TikTok by user royal_secrets24, on November 10, one of the most recent contains a compilation of clips showing the couple, mostly taken from official engagements in 2023.
