As the second installment of The Crown's sixth and final season hits Netflix on December 14, viewers are thrust into a fictionalized narrative surrounding the early days of Kate Middleton and Prince William's romance. Set against the backdrop of the royal family navigating life in the early 2000s after Princess Diana's death, the season delves into the challenges faced by Prince William and Prince Harry as they come of age in the public eye.
Episode 5, titled "Willsmania," sheds light on the global outpouring of sympathy and admiration for Prince William following Princess Diana's passing. Episode 7, "Alma Mater," offers a glimpse into how William first encounters Kate. The drama suggests that, in the years preceding Diana's death, Kate, accompanied by her mother Carole, notices William and Diana selling The Big Issue magazine to support a homelessness charity. The portrayal implies that this early encounter sparks a crush in Kate, leading her to change her academic plans and join William's art history course at St. Andrews University.
While the show blends reality with drama, royal experts note deviations from historical accuracy in the portrayal of the couple's early courtship. Claudia Joseph, a royal commentator, challenges the depiction of Carole Middleton as an overly determined matchmaker, stating, "You can't engineer a romance.
Contrary to The Crown's narrative, the reality of William and Kate's early years reveals that their first unofficial meeting wasn't a chance encounter on the street but occurred within similar social circles. Despite brief encounters before university, the show takes creative liberties in crafting a storyline that captivates audiences but strays from the historical nuances of the royal couple's courtship.
Contrary to The Crown's dramatization, author Katie Nicholl, in her book "Kate: The Future Queen," reveals a more nuanced and less serendipitous version of Kate Middleton and Prince William's initial connection. According to Nicholl, their first encounter was not the chance street meeting depicted in the show, but a casual introduction through a mutual friend during Kate's time at Marlborough school in Wiltshire.
Nicholl asserts that the pair, both navigating high society circles and growing up in the home counties surrounding London, had overlapping lifestyles that naturally brought them together. Placed in the same university dorms at St. Andrews, they likely developed a connection there, facilitated by shared friends and common interests.
The show implies that Carole Middleton played a pivotal role in steering Kate toward St. Andrews and a gap year, mirroring William's plans. However, the full truth behind this suggestion remains shrouded in uncertainty. Kate's decision to switch schools and defer a year, as Nicholl notes, was out of character, raising questions about the motivations behind the move.
While the surge in university applications following William's announcement was dominated by eager women, particularly from America, the specifics of Kate's enrollment at St. Andrews and the influence of her mother on this decision remain a mystery. Nicholl emphasizes the genuine nature of William and Kate's love story, irrespective of the intriguing circumstances surrounding their initial meeting and the uncertainties of university choices.
Contrary to The Crown's portrayal, the evolution of Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship was more rooted in a genuine, platonic friendship. According to Katie Nicholl, author of "Kate: The Future Queen," their connection began at university, where they played tennis, swam together in the mornings, and shared a supportive camaraderie. Kate, known for her unimpressed demeanor toward William's royal status, formed an instrumental friendship that even convinced William not to drop out of university and to switch his course to Geography.
Despite dating other people during their early university years, their romantic connection didn't blossom until a 2002 fashion show. The iconic moment occurred when Kate walked the runway in a sheer dress, originally a skirt converted at the last moment, which made a lasting impression on William. According to Nicholl, it was during this event that William turned to a friend and remarked, "Wow, Kate's hot.
While The Crown dramatizes a kiss and the initiation of their relationship after the fashion show, the reality, as per Nicholl, involves William making a pass at Kate during an afterparty, only for her to turn him down as she was still dating someone else. They officially became a couple during their second year at university, cohabitating, and navigating the challenges of a relationship in the public eye.
Claudia Joseph emphasizes the relatability of their beginnings, stating, "Kate will be the first queen to walk the catwalk in her lingerie. The first queen to have lived with a future king." Their love story, with its unique twists and turns, unfolds against the backdrop of a different era, challenging traditional narratives and showcasing the authenticity of their connection.
In conclusion, the intricacies of Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship, as explored in the context of The Crown's depiction and the insights provided by experts, reveal a narrative rooted in genuine friendship and relatable moments. Contrary to the show's dramatization of immediate romantic interest, William and Kate initially cultivated a platonic bond, engaging in shared activities and supporting each other through university life.
The turning point in their relationship, as highlighted by the iconic sheer dress moment during a campus fashion show, added a touch of serendipity to their journey. Despite The Crown's embellishments, the reality involves a more nuanced progression, with William's admiration for Kate evolving during this particular event.
The unique elements of their story, such as Kate's instrumental role in influencing William's academic choices and their decision to become a couple while sharing a home during their university studies, contribute to the relatability of their beginnings. Claudia Joseph's remark underscores the transformative era in which they found love, challenging traditional expectations and setting a precedent for a modern royal relationship.
Ultimately, the tale of Prince William and Kate Middleton transcends the conventional narrative, showcasing a genuine connection that endured challenges, including brief breakups, and blossomed into a relationship that defies stereotypes. As they continue their journey, their relatable origins contribute to the evolution of the monarchy in a changing era.