Home Celebrity Surprising reason Prince William had a different name while at university

Surprising reason Prince William had a different name while at university

Prince William chose to use a relatively conventional name during his time at the University.

There is a heartbreaking reason why Prince William selected a different name at university, despite widespread conjecture at the time.

Prince William went to the prestigious University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he met his future wife, Kate Middleton.

However, the Prince did not want to be known as a royal during his stay there, so he went by an alias – although the bulk of his pals were already aware of his status.

Many people are aware that William faced almost continual attention as a youngster, particularly in the years following the tragic ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ of his mother, Princess Diana.

So, understandably, he wanted to spend some time away from the spotlight while studying.

Prince William and Kate Middleton pictured together in 2007. (Indigo/Getty Images)

Despite the press affording William some privacy throughout his time at St Andrews, conjecture and curiosity about the Prince’s life persisted.

So, to maintain a low profile, William asked his Scottish peers if they would call him Steve, according to The Mirror.

He officially registered at the institution under the name William Wales, but his peers used a second name to avoid unwanted attention.

Kate may also have referred to her future husband by his undercover name, as the two were acquaintances and classmates before they became a couple.

Before pursuing geography, Prince William studied art history at university.

He graduated with Kate in June 2005, when he was 23, six years before the couple married in one of the most iconic royal weddings in history.

William graduated alongside Kate in 2005. (Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

The late Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, King Charles, and Queen Camilla all attended the graduation ceremony.

Speaking with The Telegraph at the time, he said: “Today is a very special day for me and I am delighted that I can share it with my family, and in particular with my grandmother, who has made such an effort to come, having been under the weather.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at St Andrews and I shall be very sad to leave.”

After graduating from university, he chose to train at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, following in a long line of royal history.

Following training, he joined the RAF Search and Rescue Force in early 2009.