Princess Kate was reportedly heartbroken after split with her first love, moved on to dating a ‘very handsome boyfriend’ before meeting the future King

Before becoming one of the most recognizable royal couples in Britain, Princess Kate and Prince William’s love story was mere friendship, while Kate engaged in school romances, university relationships and heartbreaks. The Princess of Wales reportedly dated several people before marrying the future king in 2011, but their relationship did not begin with an instant royal fairy tale.

Here is a look at the reported romances that came before her life as a royal.

Harry Blakelock, the reported first love

Kate’s romantic history reportedly began at Marlborough College, where she attended school alongside Harry Blakelock. According to HELLO!, Blakelock has been described in media reports as her first love.

Their relationship ended before Kate began university in Scotland. Reports have suggested that the breakup affected her as she prepared to spend part of her gap year in Florence, Italy, in 2001.

Blakelock later married one of Kate’s school friends and reportedly built a career in the insurance industry. However, details of their teenage relationship have largely come through media accounts rather than public comments from Kate herself.

Willem Marx and her school years

Another name linked to Kate during her time at Marlborough is Willem Marx. According to HELLO!, the two reportedly dated while they were at school.

Marx subsequently became a journalist and CBS News correspondent. He also attended Kate and William’s wedding in 2011, an indication that their paths remained connected through their wider social circles.

Rupert Finch, the university boyfriend

Kate’s romantic history did not end after she got into the University of St Andrews in Scotland, which she joined in 2001. Before her university friendship with the prince could turn into romance, she had been involved in a relationship with Rupert Finch, a law student in his last year.

According to the outlet, this relationship lasted for less than a year. Finch later became a lawyer and wedded Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, co-founder of Beulah, a British clothing brand.

A 2026 report by Grazia citing royal biographer Ingrid Seward also revisited the princess’s relationship with Finch, highlighting how she was reportedly dating a “very handsome boyfriend,” who was an “ultimate catch” on campus.

Henry Ropner and the 2007 split

During their brief separation of 2007, it was said that Princess Catherine was involved with Henry Ropner, a businessman’s son who attended Eton College with Prince William. It is reported that the romance was of short duration and Henry later married Natasha Sinclair.

Prince William: from university friends to family life

William and Kate met at St Andrews University, and their friendship slowly turned into romance. After being together for years, they went through a short break in 2007 but reconciled shortly after. William proposed to her in 2010 in Kenya while using his mother, Princess Diana’s ring.

Their marriage took place at Westminster Abbey on 29th April 2011, and they went on to have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.