The Secret Life Of A Royal Student: 7 Shocking Facts About Young Prince William's Years At Eton And St Andrews
The Complete Profile: Young Prince William Biography
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, was born William Arthur Philip Louis on June 21, 1982, at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. His birth was a historic moment, marking the first time in a century that a direct heir to the British throne had been born to a Prince of Wales.
- Full Name: William Arthur Philip Louis
- Born: June 21, 1982 (Age 43 in December 2025)
- Parents: King Charles III (then Prince Charles) and Diana, Princess of Wales
- Siblings: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
- Early Education: Wetherby School, London (1987–1990) and Ludgrove School, Berkshire (1990–1995)
- Secondary Education: Eton College, Berkshire (1995–2000)
- Gap Year: Chile, Belize, and countries in Africa (2000–2001)
- University: University of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland (2001–2005)
- Degree: Master of Arts (MA) in Geography (2:1 Honours)
- First Solo Engagement: St David's Day visit to Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff (1991, age 8)
- Military Service: Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (2006); Royal Air Force (RAF) Search and Rescue pilot (2010–2013)
- Wife: Catherine, Princess of Wales (née Kate Middleton)
- Children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis
7 Unknown Secrets and Facts About William's Student Years
The period between 1995 and 2005, spanning his time at Eton and St Andrews, was arguably the most intensely scrutinized yet simultaneously private chapter of Prince William's life. It was a time of immense personal growth, shielded by unprecedented agreements with the global media.
1. He Used a Secret Alias to Maintain Privacy at University
The most fascinating detail of Prince William's time at the University of St Andrews was the use of a secret name. To help maintain a low profile and avoid unwanted attention from the general public, his friends and even some university staff were instructed to call him "Steve."
This simple alias, a far cry from the titles of the House of Windsor, allowed him to experience a more typical student life, attending lectures, socializing, and living in communal residences without the constant barrage of royal protocol.
2. Breaking a 150-Year Royal Tradition at Eton College
When Prince William enrolled at Eton College in 1995, he became the first senior member of the Royal Family to attend the prestigious school.
His father, King Charles III, and grandfather, Prince Philip, had both attended Gordonstoun in Scotland.
William’s choice to attend the boarding school near Windsor Castle was seen as a nod to his mother, Diana, who was keen for her sons to have a less rigid, more "normal" upbringing than previous generations of royals.
3. His First Solo Public Engagement Was at Age Eight
Long before he was a university student, Prince William was introduced to royal duties. His first-ever solo public engagement took place on St David's Day in 1991, when he was just eight years old.
The young Prince visited Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, where he signed the visitors' book and was introduced to a new regiment of the Royal Regiment of Wales.
This early exposure to official duties, often alongside his mother, was a key aspect of his formative years, preparing him for the role he would eventually inherit.
4. He Lived in the Same Dorm as Kate Middleton
When Prince William arrived at St Andrews in 2001, he resided at St Salvator's Hall of Residence, a traditional university dormitory.
In an incredible twist of fate, Catherine Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, was also a resident in the same hall during their first year.
They started as neighbors and friends before their relationship developed, a detail that has become a cornerstone of their modern royal love story.
5. The Media Deal That Secured His Privacy
A crucial element in William’s ability to enjoy a relatively normal student life was a landmark agreement struck with the world's media.
Following the intense scrutiny and tragic circumstances surrounding his mother's death, the press agreed to a strict hands-off policy during his time at Eton and St Andrews.
In exchange for a few carefully managed photo opportunities at the start of each school term, the media largely respected his privacy, allowing him to focus on his studies and social life.
6. He Initially Studied Art History and Almost Quit
Prince William initially enrolled at St Andrews to study Art History, a subject he later switched from.
During his first year, he reportedly struggled to settle in and even considered dropping out of the university.
After a heart-to-heart with his father and a promise to switch his major to Geography—a subject he enjoyed—William decided to stay, ultimately earning a Master of Arts degree with a 2:1 Honours.
7. His Early 2000s Style Was the Epitome of 'Relaxed Bachelor'
The young Prince William's fashion during his university years perfectly captured the early 2000s "relaxed bachelor" aesthetic.
His style was a mix of casual, non-royal attire: cargo trousers, baggy jeans, checked shirts, simple knitwear, and baseball caps.
This deliberate sartorial choice was a visual manifestation of his desire to blend in, contrasting sharply with the formal royal clothing required for official engagements, and cementing his reputation as the "It-boy" Prince of his generation.
Topical Authority: The Enduring Legacy of the Young Prince
The early life of Prince William is a critical study in how the monarchy adapts to modernity and the pressures of global celebrity. His childhood, marked by the public drama of his parents' separation and the profound tragedy of his mother’s death, forced the Royal Household to devise new strategies for protecting the privacy of an heir.
The decisions made during this period—from attending Eton as the first senior royal to the media truce at St Andrews—have had a lasting impact on the way young royals are educated and presented to the world.
His education in Scotland, which led directly to his meeting and eventual marriage to Catherine, Princess of Wales, also fundamentally shaped the future of the monarchy, ensuring the King and Queen consort of tomorrow share a foundation built on shared student experiences rather than purely dynastic arrangements.
The entities surrounding his youth—from his prep schools like Wetherby and Ludgrove, to the specific halls like St Salvator's, and even the subjects he studied like Biology, Art History, and Geography—all contribute to a narrative of a young man determined to gain a broad, grounded perspective before accepting the full weight of his destiny as the future King.
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