The love story of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who first met at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, is well-known. They lived together throughout university, starting in St Salvator’s Halls of Residence and eventually moving into a private off-campus home. However, their living arrangement almost didn’t happen in their second year due to issues with the landlord’s previous male tenants.
The landlord, Charlotte Smith, had a bad experience with male tenants in the past, which made her hesitant to allow more boys to live in the house. When Kate found out about this, she took matters into her own hands and convinced Smith to let William and their friend Fergus move in. Smith later described William as a “very friendly, very charming…thoroughly nice man.”
For their third and fourth years at university, the couple lived at Balgove House at Strathtyrum, a private estate owned by Henry Cheape, a distant cousin of William’s. The estate had extensive security measures in place, but Kate and William still enjoyed hosting parties for their friends there.
In 2022, the family of five moved to Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Estate, where their children started school at Lambrook School. The cottage, originally built in 1831 for Queen Adelaide, underwent a significant makeover in 2015 and now boasts luxurious decor, including a master bedroom with a ceiling decorated with gilded dolphins.
The romantic journey of Prince William and Kate Middleton from university students to a royal family living in a historic cottage showcases their enduring love and commitment to each other. Their story is a reminder that love can conquer all obstacles, even reluctant landlords.
