Prince William and Kate Middleton’s university rental got secret overhaul ahead of their arrival

The Prince and Princess of Wales met at St Andrews University, where they both lived at St Salvator’s Hall of Residence for their first year. Their second year was spent at 13A Hope Street near the campus, where they lived with friends. For the final two years of their degree, Balgove House was a cottage they called home, where their romance blossomed – the home offered up privacy and was handy for their university commitments, but it required a royal overhaul ahead of them moving in. 

Royal author, Russell Myers, revealed all in his book, William & Catherine, The Intimate Inside Story. The 18th-century farmhouse was very secluded and offered the new couple plenty of freedom. Russell listed that the property was fitted with “panic alarms linked directly to the local police station” and monitored by “round-the-clock security”. He also noted that the house had “bomb-proof doors and windows installed by the royalty protection squad” ahead of their arrival.

This level of protection is not unusual for royal lodgings, as royal residences tend to have these sorts of features, as well as panic rooms for ultimate safety. It has even been reported that many historical homes used by royalty have underground tunnels to ensure safe exit routes. 

Kate’s apprehension 

The move into Balgove almost didn’t happen for Kate. When their friendship group from 13A Hope Street first decided to go their own ways, William suggested they move in together with friend Oliver Baker. Russell penned that “Catherine was apprehensive” about the prospect, but after a road trip there, “Catherine fell in love with the area and believed it would provide a sanctuary in which their relationship could deepen, away from the growing media curiosity”.

 Within the chapter, Russell also revealed that staying at Balgove House was, in fact, King Charles’ idea in the first place. So, it turns out Prince William has his father to thank for the success of the early days!

A romantic setting

 Russell also cited that the couple enjoyed romantic walks along the coast during their time there, and they often “invited friends over for picnics on the estate”. “Their new life together was a world away from the goldfish bowl of the university town,” he wrote.

© Alamy

Fast forward to 2011, and they found themselves on the coast once again, this time in Wales. The couple lived in a four-bedroom country house in Anglesey as newlyweds, and it was here that they spent their first few months as parents following the birth of their young son, Prince George, in 2013. Prince William once described it as an “immensely special place”.