When Kate Middleton encountered Prince William for the first time at St Andrews University back in 2001, she found herself immediately captivated by the charm of Britain’s most eligible bachelor.

Their budding romance, which began during their university days, quickly blossomed into a love story that captured the hearts of many across the nation. This enchanting journey reached its pinnacle a decade later with a royal wedding at the iconic Westminster Abbey in London.

However, in the early days of their relationship, before she became the wife of the future King of England, Kate was known for her vibrant and carefree personality.

In 2008, Kate and her sister Pippa, affectionately nicknamed the ‘sizzler sisters’ by the press, organized a themed charity roller disco in London. This event was held to honor their late school friend, Thomas Waley-Cohen, who tragically lost his battle with bone cancer in 2004 at the age of 20.

The roller disco, hosted at the Renaissance Rooms, aimed to raise £100,000 for Tom’s Ward at the Children’s Hospital in Oxford and the charity Place2Be, known for providing essential counseling services to children in need.

A glimpse into Kate’s life before the confines of royal responsibilities, she was spotted at the event in a dazzling turquoise top paired with vibrant yellow shorts, embracing a night of fun for a noble cause.

Firmly committed to the 80s theme, she also donned pink leg warmers and was seen carrying a Mulberry Araline purse in claret red. 

No need for private butlers or Royal aides – the future Princess was seen moving around the party on skates that lit up while carrying a bowl of food.

Long before she was married to England’s future King, Kate and her sister Pippa organised a themed charity roller disco in London to raise funds for their school friend Thomas Waley-Cohen, who had passed away in 2004 aged 20 from bone cancer

No need for private butlers or Royal aides – the future Princess was seen moving around the party on skates that lit up while carrying a bowl of food

Indicative of her growing role in the Royal Fold, the event’s star-studded guest list included Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, with Kate seen relaxed and chatting to friends while fulfilling her role of hostess.

The planning of the event was supported by Mr Waley-Cohen’s brother Sam, alongside Sir Richard Branson’s daughter Holly. 

Discussing the event later, Sam explained the idea for the day-glo roller disco ‘came about after a group of us got together and decided that we wanted to help raise money for these two extremely worthwhile charities’. 

He told The Telegraph: ‘We wanted to do something fresh and new; something that would be fun and a bit tongue in cheek, reflecting the lighter side of life, very much like Thomas was himself’. 

And the amateur jockey did, in fact, play a crucial role in helping to repair Kate and William’s relationship after their short-term separation.

In April 2007, weighed down by the millstone of anticipation from the public and Palace officials alike for an engagement announcement, William had called time on their four-year courtship. 

For his part, it wasn’t long before William was having second thoughts. Mindful, perhaps, of his father’s decision not to marry his early love Camilla Shand, William did not want to make a similar mistake. But he still had to win Kate back. 

In his book, Catherine Princess Of Wales: The Biography, royal biographer Robert Jobson revealed how Sam had invited the pair individually to his ‘Freakin Naughty’ themed fancy dress party at his family’s 17th-century manor house in June 2007.

A far cry from her later life of Palace protocol and prestige – the future Princess was seen arriving at the event dressed in a sparkling turquoise top and luminous yellow shorts. Firmly committed to the 80s theme, she also donned pink leg warmers 

The planning of the event was supported by Mr Waley-Cohen’s brother Sam (pictured), alongside Sir Richard Branson’s daughter Holly. The amateur jokey played a crucial role in repairing Kate and William’s relationship after their short-term separation earlier that year

When Kate arrived, dressed in a nurse’s outfit, William was said to have ‘made a beeline for her’, with the pair’s chemistry said to speak for itself.

Later, recalling the incredible role he played in the Royal couple’s reunion, Sam said: ‘There’s an idea that I was like Cupid with a bow and arrow.

‘People love the idea that somebody put them back together, but they put themselves together far more. 

‘There is no doubt, however, that sending them both invitations and the timing of the party certainly helped.’ 

William said later about the period of their break-up: ‘We were both very young… we were both finding ourselves and being different characters. It was very much trying to find our own way, and we were growing up, so it was just a bit of space and it worked out for the better.’ 

In her book The Making Of A Royal Romance, royal expert Katie Nicholl described how Kate and William tried desperately to keep their rekindled relationship under wraps.

‘Kate had not sat with William at Diana’s memorial concert at Wembley Stadium, nor did she attend the church service at the Guard’s Chapel.

‘Behind the closed doors of Clarence House, however, William and Kate were seeing each other as often as possible.

In April 2007, weighed down by the millstone of anticipation from the public and Palace officials alike for an engagement announcement, William had called time on their four-year courtship

At the Concert for Diana on July 1, 2007, William didn’t want speculation about his relationship to eclipse his late mother’s concert so Kate agreed to sit two rows away in the Royal Box. But when Take That took to the stage, Kate allowed herself a momentary glance at William 

‘It had taken just days for the prince to realise that ending their relationship was a mistake, but weeks before Kate agreed to give William a second chance,’ she wrote.

At the Concert for Diana on July 1, 2007,  William didn’t want speculation about his relationship to eclipse his late mother’s concert so Kate agreed to sit two rows away in the Royal Box. 

But when Take That took to the stage, Kate allowed herself a momentary glance at William as she sang along to their hit song ‘Back For Good’.

‘Whatever I said, whatever I did, I didn’t mean it. I just want you back for good.’

During an exclusive holiday on the secluded island of Seychelles in August, the two were said to have discussed the prospect of marriage, with Nicholl writing how ‘William had assured Kate she was the one’.

She wrote: ‘William, who had inherited something of his father’s fear of commitment, knew he would lose Kate if he could not give her some form of guarantee.’

‘They didn’t agree to get married there and then; what they made was a pact,’ a member of their inner circle explained.

‘William told Kate she was the one, but he was not ready to get married. He promised her his commitment and said he would not let her down, and in turn she agreed to wait for him.’

During a period of significant change for the Monarchy, Kate’s day-glo disco serves as a stark reminder that the British public adore a Princess with a lighthearted and personable side

The pair wed in a fairytale ceremony that was watched by an estimated 1 billion people around the world. London was a blanket of red, white and blue as a million well-wishers came together to catch a glimpse of the new bride and groom

The pair wed in a fairytale ceremony that was watched by an estimated 1 billion people around the world. 

London was a blanket of red, white and blue as a million well-wishers came together to catch a glimpse of the new bride and groom.

14 years since their Royal nuptials, and despite being a celebrated member of the Firm, Kate still holds a strong connection with her early roots as a down-to-earth girl from the Home Counties.

With the help of a small team, she has established a clear public vision for her charitable work, focusing on core issues, such as helping vulnerable children and young people, and promoting sport and the arts.

As the future Queen consort looks to the future, it seems clear that her down-to-earth and charitable nature, combined with an acute ability to fit the Royal mould, has proven successful.

During a period of significant change for the Monarchy, Kate’s day-glo disco serves as a stark reminder that the British public adore a Princess with a lighthearted and personable side.