The fairytale romance that is Prince William and Kate Middleton's love story has not been without its share of bumps—even though (thankfully) those bumps all seemed to happen early in the relationship, way before they tied the knot in 2011.
Yeahhhh. Take a seat and pour some tea because this bit of Prince Will backstory is intense.
The revelation comes courtesy of royal biographer and expert Katie Nicholl, who wrote about the love affair in her 2010 book, William and Harry: Behind the Palace Walls. According to Nicholl, just prior to meeting his future wife at the University St. Andrews, Will was all kinds of in love with a woman named Arabella Musgrave.
According to Nicholl (via quoted excerpts in The Sun), Arabella was part of the "Glosse Posse," the name given to Will and his younger brother Harry's inner circle. As a member of the Glosse Posse, Arabella was invited to parties that Will used to throw in the basement of Prince Charles' manor, Highgrove (teenage royals, really are just like us—throwing parties in their parents' basements and giving their friend groups ridiculous nicknames).
Will and Arabella (whose dad managed the Cirencester Park Polo Club) had known each other since they were kids, but, like the jock in a '90s teen movie, Will hadn't really noticed her like that until she "blossomed." Per Nicholl:
Mmkay. So then what?
Apparently, things were so serious that Will had talked to Charles about the relationship and gotten his dad's blessing. When he started at university that fall, Will missed Arabella terribly and even considered dropping out of school to go be with her. He even did that very college-kid-in-a-long-distance-relationship thing and drove home on Friday nights to see her.
This is where Kate comes in. After the couple met during Will's freshman year, she "encouraged him to give St Andrews a second chance," according to The Sun.
Don't feel bad for Arabella though, because she is doing amazingly well herself post-Will. She married George Galliers-Pratt in 2014 (in a lavish wedding that was featured in Vogue, no less) and she has an amazing gig as Gucci's head of PR.
RELATED STORIES
-
'American Primeval' Is Bound to Be Your First Netflix Obsession of 2025—Here's What to Know About the CastTaylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin led the gritty miniseries about a family's trek across the American West in 1857.
-
Katie Holmes Taps Every Fashion Editor's Favorite Unexpected Color ComboTry this insider styling trick ASAP.
-
Only Three Episodes of 'The Traitors' Season 3 Have Dropped, But the Traitors Are Already Headed for BetrayalThe producers truly chose chaos for this installment of Peacock's reality hit.
-
Princess Kate Isn't Always "Well Enough" for Royal Duties, but She's Learning to "Pace" Herself"She is looking after herself and is wise to do so," a family friend shared.
-
Princess Kate Has Been Honored With Birthday Charity Earrings That Support a Cause Close to Her HeartProceeds from the $34 style will benefit a charity the Princess of Wales has paid tribute to in the past.
-
Queen Elizabeth's Final Birthday Gift to Kate Middleton Was a Precious Heirloom With Specific Rules AttachedThe present, which was from the Queen's private collection, "brought tears to Kate's eyes."
-
How Princess Kate Broke Tradition with Her Stunning 43rd Birthday PhotoThe Princess of Wales posed for a black-and-white pic by one of her favorite photogs.
-
Despite 2025 Being "the Year of Reset," Princess Kate Will Likely Do This Before Going Back to Regular DutiesRoyal biographer Robert Hardman tells 'Marie Claire' that fans shouldn't expect Kate to go "back to 2023 levels" of appearances.
-
Prince William Is the "Ultimate Nepo Baby," According to Spice Girl Mel B's Daughter Phoenix"There's been rising anger in recent years—almost to the point of obsession on social media."
-
Why Prince Andrew Has Been Reported to the Police Over a Fake Name and Business VentureGet ready to meet the royal's alter ego, "Andrew Inverness."
-
Kate Middleton Won't Let the "Looming Responsibility" of Becoming Queen "Take Her Away" From Her ChildrenThe Princess of Wales is putting her kids before the monarchy.
