Kate & william life partners

When Prince William became a student at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in September 2001, it was a life choice that would leave its mark in more ways than one. For there, he met his future wife.

“When I first met Kate, I knew there was something very special about her,” William later admitted.

Kate was evidently rather overawed by their introduction and her first close encounter with a royal, recalling, “I think you said I actually went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off? [I was] feeling very shy about meeting you.”

Friends and eventual housemates, the prince is said to have seen the bright, personable brunette in a new light after she appeared on the catwalk of a university fashion show, modelling a sheer dress. He allegedly whispered to a friend, “Wow, Kate’s hot!”

His £200 front row ticket was, it turned out, both a generous support for that year’s nominated charities and a major personal life investment.

Their blossoming relationship led to marriage and recently Catherine’s elevation to become Princess of Wales.

That risqué catwalk dress fetched £78,000 at auction.

The roles of the Prince and Princess have increased significantly in recent years, as they support the monarch, represent the nation at home and overseas and work diligently with organisations relating to their individual and combined areas of interest.

They retain dignity and discretion in the face of attempts to undermine their efforts and those of the royal family, choosing to demonstrate their worth and strength through their dedication to their duties, traditional and philanthropic.

While King Charles had many decades to adapt to the demands of the role of Prince of Wales, William stepped into the title as a senior royal with an established list of special interests to support and his personal priorities as a husband and father of three.

For the Princess of Wales, like William’s late mother, it was a sharper learning curve. Both women share the same star power, commanding the headlines and public attention.

The foundation of Catherine’s success has been her stable and supportive relationship with her husband. In an interview with OK!, royal watcher Jennie Bond described the Waleses as a solid team, a joint force which has allowed them to excel in their combined roles and