William and Kate were 'forced to reveal' secret uni romance during game of Never Have I Ever

The Princess of Wales and Prince William have been romantically linked since 2001, when they were first-year students at the University of St. Andrews.

Back then they kept their romance on the down-low, but a drinking game forced them to come clean according to one royal author.

Catherine and William's relationship began platonically as they were both seeing other people. However, it didn't take too long for love to blossom. 

READ MORE: Popular Aussie radio show comes to sudden end

Once the pair became romantically involved, it stayed a tight-lipped secret and took quite a while to be revealed. 

In his new book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, royal biographer Robert Jobson describes the early days of their relationship.

"Among the student community, it was an open secret that they were a couple," he wrote, explaining they were often spotted hanging out with one another. 

READ MORE: Colin Farrell speaks for first time about son's rare disorder

It wasn't long before the news was out, and the way it happened wasn't entirely graceful. 

The Princess of Wales and Prince William were reportedly playing the drinking game 'Never Have I Ever' at university when their relationship was confirmed.

According to royal author Katie Nicholl, one of Prince William's ex-girlfriends was in the room and participating in the game.

In her 2011 book, The Making of a Royal Romance, Nicholl claims William's ex, Carly Massy-Birch, made a comment that left him fuming.

Quoting a source, Nicholl wrote: "When it was Carly's turn to play, she announced, 'I've never dated two people in this room,' knowing full well that William was the only one who had because Kate was sitting next to him".

View gallery

Prince William's life in pictures: The boy who was born to be King

READ MORE: Norwegian Crown Prince speaks after stepson charged with assault

According to the source, Wills "shot a thunderous look" at Carly after she made the comment. He then said, under his breath, "I can't believe you just said that ".

"We knew they were together, but it was the first time William confirmed his and Kate's relationship in public," the source said.

After eight years of dating and constant speculation of an engagement, the pair made things official in 2010 when he popped the question. 

"It was a total shock when it came," Kate said in their first joint interview for their engagement. "There's a true romantic in there."

William added, "As every guy out there will know, it takes a certain amount of motivation to get yourself going. So I was planning it and then it just felt really right out in Africa. It was beautiful."

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.