Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William  are now the proud parents of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met in 2001 at the University of St Andrews, where they shared halls of residence together. However, the Prince faced difficulties during his time as a student, especially when he was “targeted” during rugby matches.

Biographer Andrew Morton in his 2011 book “William and Catherine” delves into the university days of the Royal couple. 

Mr Morton writes: “Much as William wanted to be normal, to be one of the boys, even that was fraught with difficulties. 

“When Michael Choong, as captain of one of the university’s rugby teams, persuaded William to ‘get his shorts dirty’, he never imagined the repercussions.

“While the Prince was a lucky mascot – his team never lost when he turned out on the wing or at centre – the opposition invariably singled him out for rough play.

“On one occasion he was hit so hard in a tackle that his captain asked if he wanted to leave the pitch for treatment for a painful neck injury.”

Mr Choong told the author: “He never grumbled and always came back for more – he could take it and dish it out.

“Wills wasn’t as skilful or talented as he thought was but he was super-fit, a real workhorse and never knew when he was beaten.”

Royal author Katie Nicholl describes how the same problem occurred for Prince Harry during his school days.

In her 2017 book “Harry: Life, Loss, and Love”, Ms Nicholl explains: “He excelled in sports but found himself a target on the rugby pitch.

She reports how Harry later said: “People would see me on the rugby field as an opportunity to smash me up.”

Mr Morton also reveals how university life could be lonely for the future King.

He writes: “Many considered it seriously ‘uncool’ even to mention the prince in conversation with fellow students.”

He writes: “Many considered it seriously ‘uncool’ even to mention the prince in conversation with fellow students.

“Even the idea of saying ‘Hi’ at a party or in a pub was considered ‘social suicide’.  

“This endless mutual wariness between crown and gown made for a lonely life, as William once admitted.”

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