Kate Middleton Acted as Prince William’s Wingwoman at College Parties
Back when they were just friends, Kate helped William out of some awkward social situations.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are such a glorious royal couple that it’s almost hard to recall a time when they weren’t married. But ten years before their 2011 marriage, they were just two college buddies studying history at St. Andrew’s in Scotland, going to parties, and helping each navigate their social lives. Kate even had a cheeky trick for getting William out of situations when girls were hitting on him—and it foreshadows their future lives together, per the Mirror.
According to the couple’s friend Laura Warshauer, who spoke to royal expert Katie Nicholl for her book Kate: The Future Queen, even in college Kate had a quiet confidence around William that was unique to her. The friend spoke of one incident that she remembered vividly: “Will was getting really hit on by this girl at a party and it was getting quite uncomfortable because he couldn't shake her off. He was being really polite, but this girl just didn't get the hint,” Warshauer said. And that’s when Kate stepped in. “All of a sudden Kate came up behind him and put her arms around him. He said 'Oh, sorry, but I've got a girlfriend', and he and Kate went off giggling.”
It probably wasn’t easy to be such a famous bachelor in college, and Warshauer said that William was so grateful for the help that he mouthed “thanks so much” at her after the incident. “Kate was the only girl in the room who could have done that. And that was just a month after we started university,” said Warshauer.
Of course, we know what happened next: Kate and William would go on to become more than friends and start quietly dating while at school. Despite a brief breakup in 2007, the two would reconcile, get married, have three kids, and generally be the paragon of healthy public relationships.
And to think it all started at a college party.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. We're known for our award-winning features, thoughtful essays and op-eds, deep commitment to sustainable fashion, and buzzy interviews and reviews. Reaching millions of women every month, MarieClaire.com is an internationally-recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles Zebra Pants With Flip-Flops
Next stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh Flats
The controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Body Language Expert Says Kate Can't "Mask Her Emotions"
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Body Language Expert Reveals Kate Middleton Can't "Mask Her Emotions" at Trooping the Colour 2025
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
This Vintage Clip of Kate Middleton Apologizing to Prince William After Beating Him in a Boat Race Is Going Viral on TikTok
"We were sabotaged," Will joked after Kate beat him not once, but twice.
-
The "Cheeky" Joke Prince William Made Referencing a Former Queen at Formal Windsor Castle Event
The Prince of Wales was speaking to 'Bad Sisters' star Anne-Marie Duff at the time.
-
How Prince George and Prince William's "Shared Passion" Made a Windsor Castle Event "Extra Special" for One Attendee
The father and son duo have made quite the impact.
-
Princess Eugenie Has Allegedly "Formed an Alliance" With Prince William, Which Could Impact Her Future Within the Royal Family
A "shared passion" has "brought the cousins closer together."
-
Why Princess Diana Once "Canceled Lunch" at Kensington Palace to Take Prince William and Prince Harry to McDonald's
A former royal chef revealed the relatable reason Diana took her kids to the popular fast food chain.
-
The "Staggering" Drug Smuggling Shipment Prince William Helped Intercept With the Royal Navy in 2008
William experienced "a lot of excitement and a lot of danger," per a royal expert.
-
How Prince William and Princess Kate Are "Preparing" George, Charlotte, and Louis for "Their Future Roles" Within the Royal Family
"William takes his responsibilities...very seriously," a royal expert explained.