Kate Middleton, before becoming Catherine, Princess of Wales, was known to have had several ex-boyfriends prior to her marriage to Prince William. Despite being a commoner from a regular family background, Kate had a history with a few former flames, which caused quite a stir.
Kate and Prince William first crossed paths at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Rumors suggest that Kate’s enrollment at the university was orchestrated by her mother with the intention of her meeting and eventually marrying William. Their relationship had its ups and downs, including a brief split, before they finally reconciled. They are now happily married, over a decade after their grand royal wedding.
Willem – The Initial Love Interest
One of Kate Middleton’s early love interests was Willem Marx, whom she met during their time at Marlborough College in the late ’90s. Kate, initially a reserved student, quickly became popular during her time at the school and even held the position of captain of the hockey team. Kate and Marx dated for a year, with Marx being credited as Kate’s first love. The pair was captured in an old school photograph together.
The Prince: A Teenage Fancy
According to author Marcia Moody, Kate Middleton was selective with her affection during her teenage years, forming a fleeting relationship with a friend named Marx. While Kate pursued her studies at St Andrews, Marx pursued classics at Oxford before completing a journalism degree at NYU. He had the opportunity to witness Kate’s wedding to Prince William in 2011 at Westminster Abbey. At present, Marx works as a special correspondent for CBS News and is married to Italian TV presenter Johanna Botta.
Harry the Heartbreaker
Kate Middleton’s high school sweetheart, Harry Blakelock, reportedly broke her heart as he was not ready to commit. This led to Kate struggling with grief during a gap year in Italy before university. Following this heartbreak, Kate shifted her focus to Prince William while Blakelock found his lasting love in Sarah Follett. The two eventually reconciled as friends, with Blakelock even attending William and Kate’s wedding. Blakelock, a former rugby captain, is an active runner and triathlete alongside holding a position at Lockton Companies.
Ian the Deckhand
During a gap year, Kate Middleton encountered Ian Henry, a deckhand with whom she shared a mysterious connection. While details of their relationship remain undisclosed, it is suggested that Henry was more interested in Kate than she was in him. Despite the ambiguity, their close bond sparked jealousy among Henry’s friends, who admired Kate. Their relationship was described as a summer romance that ended when they both headed to university.
Rupert the Uni Hookup
Rupert Finch, a law student at the University of St Andrews, found himself captivated by Kate Middleton during their early university days. Known for his charm and stature, Finch and Kate became a popular couple on campus. However, their romance ended when Kate’s attention shifted towards Prince William, leaving Finch behind. The exact timeline of their breakup and Kate’s subsequent relationship with William remains uncertain.
**The Mysterious Gentleman in Kate Middleton’s Past**
Kate Middleton has a history with a certain gentleman that she prefers to keep confidential, hinting that a true gentleman never discloses such details to the public.
**Henry the Beau Who Experienced the Breakup**
Catherine, also known as Princess of Wales, was in a relationship with Sir Henry Ropner when she and Prince William broke up back in 2007. The split came as a surprise to many, as the couple had been together for six years amid speculations of an impending engagement. Kate’s romance with Henry lasted for approximately three months. Interestingly, there was a shade of ambiguity in their relationship since Henry was believed to be a friend of William from their shared past at Eton school. Despite any underlying tensions, it seemed that Henry had no qualms about pursuing a relationship with Kate, even if it meant stepping on his friend’s toes—echoing William’s similar actions when he dated Henry’s ex, Jecca Craig.
**A Wealthy and Well-Connected Presence**
Reports at the time indicated that Henry was quite pleased to support Kate following her split with William. The two were said to spend time together, engaging in flirtatious moments. Sources revealed in 2007 that Henry, being affluent, enjoyed Kate’s company, suggesting a growing closeness between them. As an individual with longstanding ties to William’s social circle, Henry’s wealth and status made him a noticeable figure. His financial background as the heir to a hefty £33.7 million shipping fortune emphasized his prosperous standing. After attaining a degree in civil engineering from Edinburgh University, he later tied the knot with Natasha Sinclair. They now reside in the expansive estate of Thorp Perrow in Yorkshire, a property known for offering public tours.