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.