In 2001, a young Kate Middleton and Prince William met in college at St. Andrews University. They became fast friends, and that turned into a romance — and the rest is history. But now that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been married for almost a decade, it's fun to go back and look at photos of Will and Kate, from when they first started dating. They were so young and free in those early days, before they knew for sure if their romance would last and they were just having fun.
It wasn't all smooth sailing for the duo, though. They actually broke up for a little while in 2007, before eventually reuniting. That could have been it for this storybook romance, but instead, things worked out for the best. Now they're not only one of the cutest royal couples, they're one of the cutest celebrity couples, period.
Take a walk down memory lane with us, and check out these 20 pictures of the young prince and Kate on their epic journey to love.
Graduation Cuties
Will and Kate met at St. Andrews University and started dating a couple years later. By 2005, when they both graduated, they were a bona fide couple. This photo was snapped on their graduation day, and they're so young and in love! Who knew that 15 years later, they'd still be going so strong?
PDA
Ever since Kate and Will got married, we never see this kind of public affection from them anymore. But back in 2006, they were a bit more free about their feelings for one another. Will greeted his girlfriend with a big kiss and a hug after a soccer match. They're basically Meghan Markle and Prince Harry here with all that PDA.
Caught Clubbing
In the early days of their romance, the prince and Kate Middleton were often spotted out at nightclubs together. We love this photo of them flushed and happy in a cab, both looking a little sheepish at having been caught out by the paparazzi. They were 24 years old here and taking advantage of their youth to have some fun.
Show Off
Remember those early days of dating someone when each person is trying so hard to impress the other? That was William here at this polo match as he wielded his mallet with a big grin on his face, clearly showing off for Kate — who's in the backless dress. She's been supporting him at his polo matches for years, including way back in 2006.
Sharing Secrets
The couple looked so cozy in the stands of a rugby match in 2007. Kate was basically in William's seat, whispering in his ear, and as much as we love seeing them so cute and cuddly together, we also equally love how incredibly bored Prince Harry looks. He was probably like, "Come on, Will. Focus on the game, not on the girl!"
Trouble in Paradise
Although their relationship was mostly smooth sailing, Will and Kate did split for a period of time in 2007. This photo was taken right before that breakup, and it's clear that all wasn't fine between them. William looked angry, and he walked ahead of Kate instead of by her side. It wasn't long after this event that they called it quits.
Reconciled
By 2008, the duo was back together and would remain that way to this day. Perhaps, in an attempt to show the press how solid their relationship was, they went skiing together, in a callback to the very first time they were photographed together: skiing in 2004.
Supportive Girlfriend
In April 2008, William graduated as a Royal Air Force pilot, and Kate was right there by his side at his graduation ceremony. Whatever struggles they'd had the previous year were fully behind them at this point, and they were being photographed together more than ever. Kate was also showing up at more official events as it started to look like she would one day marry William.
Hanging With Friends
Will and Kate could be any regular 26-year-olds in this photo, versus the future king and queen of England. They look so relaxed as they hang out with their friends for William's birthday in 2008. They're so "on" for public appearances these days that we don't see much of their chill side, but we saw it a lot more when they were younger.
Still Going Clubbing
Even as the couple got closer to settling down and getting married, they still enjoyed themselves at nightclubs here and there. After all, they're only in their 20s once; they had to enjoy it while they could. We can't get over Kate's orange patterned dress here. She wouldn't be caught in that color today.
Catching a Movie
The dynamic trio of Kate, Will, and Harry were spotted together in 2009, when they went to the premiere of Sherlock Holmes. We miss when the brothers were close, and Harry and Kate got along and they were all happy. Hopefully, they can get to that point again some day with Meghan, too.
Graduation Take 2
Just like she was there for him two years prior, the Kate was by Will's side again in 2010, when he completed another important phase of his military training and graduated from an advanced course. They're sharing another sweet moment, where they're in a crowd but only talking and listening to each other.
Wedding Guests
By October 2010, William and Kate were only a month away from their own engagement, so it made complete sense that they'd be each other's plus ones at this wedding. Things were really serious between them, and they were always in sync and in step at their events — not like in 2007, when William stormed ahead of his girlfriend.
Officially Engaged
After being together for years, the duo finally made it official and announced their engagement. William proposed with his mother's engagement ring, making the moment all the more special since it included Diana in a way. Will and Kate both looked so happy and in love during their engagement photo shoot.
December 2010
For their first official event after getting engaged, the couple were spotted at a Christmas show in December 2010. They looked absolutely radiant together and giddy to be on their way to getting married. 'Tis the season… for love!
Back Where It All Began
The happy couple returned to St. Andrews in early 2011 to take part in a fundraising campaign for the school's 600th anniversary. It must have been fun for them to go back to where it all began for them. Had they not gone to school together, they never would have met or gotten engaged.
Funny how fate works.
Look of Love
As their wedding drew closer, so did the couple. Kate began to accompany William on more official events, like this lifeboat launch. She was leaning into her new role, and William looked so happy to have her by his side. Their smiles really couldn't get any bigger here.
Practicing for the Big Day
It looks like the couple are signing their marriage license here, but it was really just a condolence book for a recent earthquake tragedy. They're having far too much fun for the gravity of the event, but that's just what happens when two people are in love. They can't help but show it every second of the day.
First Tour
Before they even tied the knot, Kate got to go on her first royal tour. She and William visited Northern Ireland together, and we got a glimpse of the Kate we know so well today. Perfect hair, coatdress, and a clutch. This would become her go-to look for many of her events when she became a member of the royal family.
The Last Event
William and Kate's final event before they got married was to an athletic track just a handful of days before their wedding. They looked so cute together in coordinating navy outfits, ready to tackle all that life would bring them as married royals.
… and they've been going strong ever since.
