Interest in Prince William’s then-girlfriend, now the Princess of Wales (nee Kate Middleton), skyrocketed after the pair graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2005.
The pair had met while studying history of art and staying at St Salvator’s Hall at the Scottish uni, but under the ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’, the press had largely left them to enjoy their budding romance privately. In 2006, Kate, then 24, was a supportive girlfriend as she watched William compete in the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match at Ham Polo Club in Richmond.
Not only did her attendance draw focus, but so did the fact that she made it a family affair, asking her sister Pippa, then 22, to be her plus one for the sunny day out.
The siblings were spotted relaxing in deck chairs, with Pippa effortlessly dressing for the warm weather in a turquoise sundress. The fitted drop-waist accentuated her toned physique, while the spaghetti straps and swishy skirt ensured she remained cool.
Cream open-toe wedges and a claw clip pulling her brunette hair away from her face completed her look, which went unnoticed with the spotlight firmly on her sister.
© Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Kate was a lady in red in a polka-dot wrap dress with matching heels.
How fashion and their royal romance intersected
Fashion had a part to play in the Prince and Princess of Wales’ relationship. Just months into their first year, Kate caught the attention of the prince while modelling a sheer dress for the university fashion show.
Their relationship quietly developed in their second year of university, when they lived together with friends off-campus. Their romance was confirmed after the couple were pictured on a ski holiday in Klosters in 2004, but by 2007, the pressure of the media interest took a toll on their relationship.
© GettyKate had been working in London while William pursued military officer training at Sandhurst. In March 2007, the couple briefly split, but by July, Kate was spotted attending the Concert for Diana organised by Prince William and his younger brother Prince Harry.
Addressing their split in their engagement interview in 2010, Kate said: “I think at the time I wasn’t very happy about it, but actually it made me a stronger person. You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realised.”
At the time, Kate wore a navy Issa wrap dress that accentuated the colour of her sapphire engagement ring that had previously belonged to William’s late mother Princess Diana. The brand later said the overwhelming demand and their lack of resources ultimately led to founder Daniella Helayel leaving.
“Issa was a niche brand; we had a loyal following, but in 2008 and 2009 we were in serious financial trouble. When Kate wore that dress, everything changed,” Daniella told You magazine.
“The bank refused to give me credit, and the factory was screaming for me to pay its bills. I needed an investor.”
© GettyKate and William went on to get married at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011, with the bride wearing a lace Alexander McQueen gown.
While Kate is now known as an international style icon, she reportedly struggled to develop her sense of style after marrying into the royal family. Former royal aides revealed that William teased her when she bought an eclectic outfit, joking that she looked as if she had “just run through a charity shop covered in superglue.”
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