Erm, Prince William got all his mates to call him Steve while he was at uni in St Andrews

A lot of people have stupid nicknames at uni. And most often it’s based on something ridiculous you did drunk during Freshers’ that sticks the entire time you’re at university. And it turns out not even Royals are exempt from this because Prince William also had a nickname at uni and… it’s really not what you’d expect.

Yep, whilst at uni Prince William got all his mates to call him Steve. Not, I’m not joking. Steve!

According to The Mirror, Prince Wills officially enrolled at the University of St Andrews under the name William Wales, but all his classmates used the nickname to prevent any unwanted attention from the media. All his friends knew of his real identity, obviously, but despite the press giving William an element of privacy during his time at St Andrews, speculation and interest in his life didn’t just disappear. So Steve he became!

But it wasn’t only his coursemates who called the future king Steve, Kate also used the nickname too! Kate and William were close friends at university before they became a couple. They shared many classes and lived in the same halls. Prince William studied the history of art before switching to geography. He graduated alongside Kate in June 2005 when he was 23.

Prince William at university (Via Shutterstock)

Speaking with The Telegraph on his graduation day, he said: “Today is a very special day for me and I am delighted that I can share it with my family, and in particular with my grandmother, who has made such an effort to come, having been under the weather.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at St Andrews and I shall be very sad to leave.”

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After getting AAC at A-Level and taking a gap year, Prince William began at St Andrews studying history of art in 2001. He ended up changing to geography and eventually graduated with a 2:1. He’s said in the past about his original degree: “I had to give it up – I kept falling asleep in lectures, it was terrible.” Relatable.

For security reasons he apparently came to university slightly late and missed Freshers’ Week. He said he had “drapes up” in his room to make it “more cosy”, and said he loved playing music – apparently loud RnB. Bet his halls neighbours LOVED him.,

He also played water polo and was the captain of the team. In 2004 he represented the Scottish national universities water polo team in the Celtic Nations tournament against Wales and Ireland. Big up Steve!

Related stories recommended by this writer: 

• It’s official, these are the UK unis where you’re most likely to find a royal

• From Exeter to Edinburgh, this is exactly where all the royals went to university

• Parties, living together and a break up: Everything we know about Kate and Will’s relationship at St Andrews

Featured image via Shutterstock.