First-year student Kate, usually known for her modest and reserved image, underwent a dramatic transformation on the catwalk—one that instantly “knocked Prince William off his feet.” But what really happened afterward?
Royal love stories have always been a favorite subject of the media, and among them, few moments are as iconic as the one that sparked Prince William’s “love at first sight” with Princess Kate.
Those familiar with Princess Kate’s signature style—elegant, refined, and modest—may find it hard to imagine her in a daring, sensual outfit. That is precisely why the story of Kate and the sheer dress that left Prince William in awe has become legendary.
The Sheer Dress That Made Prince William Fall in Love
When Kate was a first-year student, the University of St. Andrews—where she studied alongside Prince William—hosted a charity fashion show called “Don’t Walk.” Only the most beautiful female students were selected to participate, and Kate was one of them.
At that time, William and Kate already knew each other as part of the same friend group. However, William saw her as nothing more than a fellow student.
Although they were acquainted before, it was after the sheer dress moment that their relationship truly “leveled up.”
Seeing the usually traditional and modest Kate suddenly appear bold, confident, and alluring quickly narrowed the gap between them—proving the saying that even heroes are powerless before beauty. Watching Kate stride confidently down the catwalk in the strikingly sexy outfit, Prince William turned to his friend Fergus Boyd and exclaimed:
“Wow, Kate is really hot!”
A mutual friend, Pat Duncan, later confirmed:
“William was sitting in the front row, and his eyes were glued to Kate from start to finish.”
After the show ended, the two were reportedly seen kissing passionately. A fairy-tale romance began to blossom from that very day.
The Story Behind the Dress
Organizers later revealed that the famous outfit was actually Kate’s own creative adaptation. Originally, it was a skirt that, when worn normally, would have fully covered her long legs. Kate pulled it up and transformed it into a sheer dress. Many believe it was this “revealing yet subtle” sensuality that made the dress so captivating.
At the same time, it still suited Kate’s image as an elegant university student—seductive without being overly explicit, striking the perfect balance.
In 2011, designer Charlotte Todd appeared alongside the now-iconic dress at an auction, where its value skyrocketed to approximately 2.3 billion VND, about 2,600 times its original price.
Like the transformation of the dress itself, Kate made several other bold moves that ultimately led her straight into Prince William’s heart.
The Bold Decision That Changed Everything
One of the most significant was her decision to change universities—something not many people know.
In August 2000, Kate achieved excellent results with two As and one B, earning her admission to the University of Edinburgh, which was originally her first choice. It was also the university she and her close friends Alice and Emilia had long planned to attend. The three even traveled to Edinburgh to arrange their accommodation.
Around the same time, Prince William received his results and decided to enroll at the University of St. Andrews to study history the following year.
As soon as this information became public in the press, Kate changed her plans. She informed her friends that she would no longer be joining them, wrote a letter declining her offer from Edinburgh, and applied to St. Andrews instead—registering for the same history course as Prince William.
That decision led to a moment where Kate made a lasting impression on William—even before the famous sheer dress appeared.
“Saving” the Prince
About a month after they began studying together, a party was held where Prince William found himself persistently pursued by a very forward young woman. Though he tried to be polite and avoid her, she refused to take the hint.
As William struggled to find a way out, Kate suddenly appeared. To his surprise, she wrapped her arm around him. Instantly understanding, William told the girl:
“Sorry, I have a girlfriend.”
After the girl left, William and Kate laughed together, and he quietly thanked her. That “rescue” brought them closer.
Over time, the two grew increasingly close through frequent encounters, discovering they shared the same sense of humor and were highly compatible. About a year after enrolling, William invited Kate to move into the apartment he shared with Fergus Boyd and another female student.
A Fairy Tale—With a Bold Heroine
Prince William and Princess Kate’s love story blossomed beautifully, but many believe that fairy tales only truly begin when the heroine dares to seek out her own love.
After all, sometimes a princess must take the first step to find her prince.
