Kate Middleton has clever trick to stop other women hitting on Prince William

It's been more than two decades since Prince William and Kate Middleton first met while studying at St Andrews University in Scotland.

As students, they immersed themselves in campus life, frequenting local hotspots and forming a close bond . Although they weren't romantically involved at the time, Kate often witnessed the Prince of Wales being pursued by other girls during their nights out.

According to their friend Laura Warshauer, who spoke to royal expert Katie Nicholl for her book Kate: The Future Queen , Kate devised a clever plan to help William escape an awkward situation.

• Kate Middleton compared to beloved Royal Family member as she shows off her 'soft power'

• Kate Middleton replaces sapphire engagement ring with new jewel as she honors Diana

Warshauer recalled: "Will was getting really hit on by this girl at a party and it was getting quite uncomfortable because he couldn't shake her off. He was being really polite, but this girl just didn't get the hint.

"All of a sudden Kate came up behind him and put her arms around him. He said, 'Oh, sorry, but I've got a girlfriend,' and he and Kate went off giggling."

William was incredibly appreciative of her assistance, and as Laura recounted, he silently expressed "thanks so much" to her following the event. She revealed: "Kate was the only girl in the room who could have done that. And that was just a month after we started university."

Yet, Kate and William's friendship didn't last long - it soon evolved into a romantic relationship. The couple started dating, remaining together through their university years and beyond graduation.

In 2007, Kate and William went through a brief separation. However, the split didn't last, as the pair were spotted sharing a kiss at an army party at Bovington barracks weeks later. By July 2007, Kate, along with her brother James Middleton, attended the Concert for Princess Diana at Wembley, commemorating a decade since the death of William's mother.

After rekindling their romance, Kate moved into William's Clarence House apartment, where he would return from his military duties for cozy weekends. Their love story is well-known; they've been married for more than 12 years now and are parents to three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories.