A Drinking Game Forced Princess Kate and Prince William to Confirm Their Romantic Relationship, Source Says

\201cIt was the first time William confirmed his and Kate’s relationship in public.\201d

Prince William Kate Middleton
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Like most celebrities or members of a monarchy thrown under an endless spotlight, Prince William and Princess Kate tried to keep the beginning of their romantic relationship under wraps.

They were somewhat successful, royal biographer Robert Jobson writes in his new book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, until the pair attended a dinner party with friends where those in attendance decided to partake in the popular drinking game, "Never Have I Ever."

According to Jobson, Carly Massy-Birth, one of the Prince of Wales' ex-girlfriends, was also present, and during the confessional-like game revealed Prince William and Kate Middleton were dating.

"Perhaps unwittingly, Carly exposed William’s secret love affair with Catherine, much to the prince’s chagrin," Jobson writes in his biography, as reported by People.

In 2002, royal biographer Katie Nicholl made the same claim in her book The Making of a Royal Romance.

"She announced, 'I’ve never dated two people in this room,’ knowing full well that William was the only one who had because Kate was sitting next to him," a source who attended the party told the author, before adding that that every single one of the party guests were "in shock."

The same source alleged that in response, Prince William shot his ex-girlfriend a "thunderous look" before whispering under his breath: "I can't believe you just said that."

"We knew they were together," the source continued at the time, "but it was the first time William confirmed his and Kate’s relationship in public."

While the public revelation was a shock, it wasn't what anyone at the time could consider "breaking news."

"Among the student community, it was an open secret that they were a couple," Jacobson writes, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales frequently spent time together, be it walking to class, going grocery shopping or listening to music in the evenings.

The pair first met in 2001 while studying at St. Andrews University in Scotland. According to prevailing rumors, William "won Middleton over" after paying £200 for a front row seat to watch his future bride walk down the runway during a student fashion show for charity.

According to The Crown historian Robert Lacey, their initial meeting and subsequent courtship was no accident—Middleton was allegedly "strategic" when it came to her relationship with the future King.

“Kate was very strategic,” Lacey said, as reported by Elle. “She gave up her place at one of Britain’s premier universities, Edinburgh, and opted for another one that probably didn’t have the same academic standard.

"She had already been to Edinburgh to get her flat accommodations sorted out but switched universities and switched her courses to history of art because that was William’s," he continued. "She delayed her own education by a year and even takes the chance she won’t get into St. Andrews.”

Whether by chance or calculated choice, things have apparently worked out for the couple, who recently celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary.

Danielle Campoamor
Weekend Editor

Danielle Campoamor is Marie Claire's weekend editor covering all things news, celebrity, politics, culture, live events, and more. In addition, she is an award-winning freelance writer and former NBC journalist with over a decade of digital media experience covering mental health, reproductive justice, abortion access, maternal mortality, gun violence, climate change, politics, celebrity news, culture, online trends, wellness, gender-based violence and other feminist issues. You can find her work in The New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, New York Magazine, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, TODAY, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, InStyle, Playboy, Teen Vogue, Glamour, The Daily Beast, Mother Jones, Prism, Newsweek, Slate, HuffPost and more. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their two feral sons. When she is not writing, editing or doom scrolling she enjoys reading, cooking, debating current events and politics, traveling to Seattle to see her dear friends and losing Pokémon battles against her ruthless offspring. You can find her on X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and all the places.

Read more
An early 2000s picture of Prince William in a navy sweater looking behind him in front of a fence at St. Andrews
Prince William Paid £200 For a Date With Kate Middleton Before Their Royal Romance, Former Roommate Reveals
Kate Middleton wears a red hat with a wide brim and a matching red wrap dress, while Prince William wears a suit and waistcoat
Prince William "Didn't Have a Romantic Bone in His Body" Before Falling in Love With Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton wearing a red hat and coat with pearl necklace turning to the right and smiling
How Kate Middleton Revealed Her "Inner Steel" and Proved She Was a "Tough Cookie" During Awkward Party Moment
Queen Camilla wearing a fur hat and purple coat with flower brooches in 2025
Why Queen Camilla Reportedly "Wasn't Very Keen" on Kate Middleton as a Future Royal Bride
Kate Middleton wearing brown jacket and cowboy hat and walking next to Carole Middleton wearing a tan vest in front of green trees
Carole Middleton Admitted Press Intrusion Wore on Her Family During William and Kate's Courtship: "I Haven't Asked for All This"
Kate Middleton rides in the carriage with Prince William on their wedding day in April 2011
Kate Middleton Refused to Abide by a 350-Year-Old Royal Tradition on Her Wedding Day
Latest in Celebrity
Meghan Markle in a beige shirt on stage at SXSW in March 2024
Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow Open Up About Their "Rift" Over Pie
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Benny Blanco in a purple shirt with a white tank top underneath and Selena Gomez in a black dress backstage at The Tonight Show in March 2025
Selena Gomez Says She’s "Excited" to Become a Mom Someday in Joint Interview with Benny Blanco
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Carole Middleton has blonde hair and laughs while shopping with daughter Kate Middleton
How Carole Middleton Might Step Up to Support Princess Kate Following Previous Controversies
Latest in News
Meghan Markle in a beige shirt on stage at SXSW in March 2024
Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow Open Up About Their "Rift" Over Pie
Rihanna and A$AP were seen on a casual date night out at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica. rihanna wore jeans, a vest, and a new alaia bag
Rihanna Hard-Launches Alaïa's New $2,350 It-Bag With a Baseball Cap and Jeans
Bella Hadid carries the Coach empire bag in New York City with a black mini dress
Bella Hadid Secures Coach's Must-Have Empire Bag, Just Like I Predicted She Would
Selena Gomez wears a cropped blazer and matching trousers while attending the Drew Barrymore show in New York City
Selena Gomez Is the Cropped Blazer Trend's Final Boss
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Rihanna in a head scarf and multiple necklaces
Rihanna’s Jamaica Manicure Will Unite the Caribbean