Prince William and Princess Kate Originally Bonded Over Their "Naughty" Sense of Humor

"They've certainly cleaned up their act for the children's sake, but they can still make each other double over laughing."

Kate Middleton wearing a red dress and laughing and Prince William laughing
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince William and Kate Middleton met while they were students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and although the Princess of Wales famously attracted her now-husband's attention while wearing a racy sheer dress during a school fashion show, it turns out that her humor was another trait that made her stand out to the future king.

"William once described Kate's sense of humor as ‘naughty’ and his own as ‘dirty,’ and claimed that it was one of the most important things that drew them together," Christopher Andersen, author of The King, told Fox News.

Of course, times have changed, but even though the royal couple is in their forties with three kids in tow, Will and Kate have still got that same spark. "They've certainly cleaned up their act for the children's sake, but they can still make each other double over laughing," Andersen noted, explaining that the Waleses share a "wacky, slapstick, Monty Python-meets-Benny Hill sense of humor."

Apparently they've passed their comedic antics on to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. The royal author shared that, "like all parents of young children, William and Kate find themselves refereeing when the kids fight over the TV remote, or when the inevitable teasing that goes on between siblings turns into the equally inevitable wrestling match."

Prince William wearing a suit looking at Kate Middleton who is laughing and wearing a white polkadot dress and large hat

The prince and princess love to share a laugh.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince William confirmed his kids' screen time battles during a recent BAFTA event in London, telling onlookers that George, Charlotte and Louis are "always wrestling over the remote." Royal kids...just like us.

Andersen also pointed out that the Wales children have inherited their parents' strong sense of competition. "The Prince and Princess of Wales have always been competitive about pretty much everything—foot races, swimming races, board games, card games, you name it," the royal author told Fox News.

However, the only downside of this in-it-to-win-it attitude is that the young royals—"all of whom have been taught to give it their all"—sometimes get a little too competitive.

"Unfortunately, this often leads to heated arguments about cheating and breaking the rules—which in turn leads to the occasional game board being tossed and pieces sent flying," Andersen said. Relatable.

Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.

Read more
Prince William and Kate Middleton sitting at a white table smiling at each other during the Six Nations Rugby game
Princess Kate's "Naughty" Gesture Reveals Playful Relationship With Prince William
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall and Princess Beatrice walking to church in blue outfits on Easter 2019
This Royal Admits He Loves "Jumping Out to Scare" His Kids and Wife: "She Screams SO Loudly!"
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
Prince Louis wears a navy overcoat and a suit to church in Sandringham on Christmas Day 2024
Prince Louis' Hilarious Christmas Day Hijinks Had the Entire Crowd at Sandringham Laughing
Prince William riding in a car waving to fans out a window sitting next to Princess Kate, wearing a red coat with a yellow daffodil pin and laughing
Kate Middleton and Prince William's "Fun and Mischievous" Behavior Shows How They're Able to ‘"Let Go"
Prince William and Kate Middleton hold hands with their three kids
Prince William Reveals the Hilarious, Blunt Responses George, Charlotte, and Louis Give Him About School
Latest in Royals
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
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
Meghan Markle wears a white shirt and blue jeans while she carries daughter Princess Lilibet and hugs son Prince Archie
New Prince Archie Photo Proves He Takes After Dad Prince Harry in Two Very Important Ways
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Meghan Markle Shared a Rare Video Filmed by Prince Harry on Instagram
Latest in News
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
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
Bella Hadid leaves her hotel wearing a cardigan with the studded bag trend and straight-leg jeans
Bella Hadid Carries the Studded Bag Trend Into the Spotlight With a Boho-Chic Valentino Tote