The couple once lived a much simpler life than they do now(Image: Clarence House via GettyImages)

Inside Kate Middleton and Prince William's love nest - with bomb-proof front door

Kate Middleton and Prince William have come a long way since they first met as students in 2001 - and today live in a stunning apartment in Kensington Palace with their three children

by · The Mirror

Before Prince William and Kate Middleton moved into their lavish Adelaide Cottage, they resided in a modest yet highly secure student property. Shortly after meeting at the University of St Andrews, the pair relocated to a small two-storey, four-bedroom Edwardian townhouse nestled in the heart of the historic city.

The home was equipped with typical student essentials - comfortable sofas, a large television, and an assortment of mismatched tables and lamps. However, it also boasted unique security features such as bulletproof windows and a bomb-proof front door. The property is located on Hope Street, an Edwardian street where many homes are valued in the seven figures.

The couple lived on Hope Street in the centre of historic St Andrews( Image: GoogleMaps)

Both William and Kate, who initially enrolled to study History of Art before William switched to Geography, reportedly paid £100 per week each, along with their two housemates.

These housemates were Fergus Boyd, who later became Prince George's godfather, and mutual friend Olivia Bleasdale. "We moved in together as friends because we were living together, we lived with a couple of others as well, it just sort of blossomed from there really," William revealed during the couple's official engagement interview.

There was just enough room in the kitchen for William to knock up a Bologniase( Image: HMJ Properties)
Kate achieved a 2:1 in her university degree( Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"We just saw more of each other, hung out a bit more and did stuff", reports OK!. Regarding Fergus and Olivia's reaction to their blossoming royal romance, William shared that they "were a bit surprised that it had happened, then they realized it was really nice and it was good fun and we got on really well, they were good friends of ours as well so we had a good giggle with them as well."

The student home included the usual variety of mismatched furniture( Image: HMJ Properties)
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The student accommodation featured a small kitchen, with a single counter top encircling the room, a small sink beneath a window, and a counter-top stove on the right side. William reportedly used to whip up Bolognaise dishes in an attempt to charm his then-girlfriend.

Despite a brief, highly-publicised split in 2007, which led to Kate being unkindly dubbed 'Waity Katie', the separation ultimately strengthened their relationship, according to an expert speaking to OK!.

"Their relationship started out as friendship, so everything is built on the foundation of friendship, trust, love and loyalty," says Royal author Katie Nicholl. "They have stuck together through thick and thin."