Femail reveals what happened to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s former partners
The ones that got away! So, what did happen to the high society exes who were dating Prince William and Kate Middleton on the night the Duke of Cambridge saw his future bride wearing that £30 dress?
- Prince William said to have first seen Kate romantically during a student catwalk
- Kate wore an opaque dress and the pair were both dating other people at time
- William was with Carly Massy-Birch from Devon and Kate with Rupert Finch
- Mr Finch is now a successful lawyer, married to the founder of one of Kate’s favourite fashion brands, while little is known about William’s former squeeze
Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s on-off relationship was finally sealed with their memorable kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2011, following their fairytale wedding.
However, wind back the clock a decade and before they began officially dating as undergraduates at St Andrews University in 2001, Kate caught William’s eye wearing that famous transparent dress.
However, that night both royals were not entirely footloose and fancy free, with Kate’s date hunky fourth-year law student Rupert Finch, and William’s first love, Carly Massy-Birch, also in the mix.
So whatever happened to the ones that got away? FEMAIL looks at what might have been if the Duchess of Cambridge hadn’t stunned William when she strutted down the catwalk, aged 20, during the Student Charity Fashion Show at the Fairmont St Andrews hotel.
Wearing a racy lace slip revealing her lithe figure and black underwear, which cost £30 to make, Kate dazzled the Prince who had paid £200 for a seat at a candlelit table inches from the runway, later declaring it was money well spent.
Kate caught William’s eye for the very first time when she strutted down the catwalk, aged 20, during the Student Charity Fashion Show at the Fairmont St Andrews hotel – but both royals had already promised their hearts elsewhere
Wearing a racy lace slip revealing her lithe figure and black underwear, which cost £30 to make, Kate dazzled the Prince who had paid £200 for a seat inches away from the performance
While the handsome future lawyer and gorgeous brunette were considered by friends their perfect matches, the 2002 fashion show changed everything.
Here, FEMAIL reveals everything you need to know about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s former flames, and where they are now…
KATE’S DATE: HOW DASHING RUPERT FINCH WENT ON TO MARRY THE FOUNDER OF KATE’S FAVOURITE FASHION BRAND
Rupert Finch, pictured in 2011, briefly dated the Duchess of Cambridge after meeting as students in the halls of St Andrews University
Solicitor Rupert Finch briefly dated the Duchess of Cambridge after meeting as students in the halls of St Andrews University in Scotland.
The pair were together for just under a year in 2001. Rupert married daughter of the Marquess of Reading, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, 37, co-founder of ethical brand Beulah London in 2013.
Natasha and Rupert began dating some years after his split with Kate, and were married at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Cirencester before a reception at Cirencester House, the home of Earl and Countess Bathurst. Both Kate and William were guests and Natasha and Rupert were invited to watch them tie the knot in 2011.
Rupert married Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, 37, co-founder of ethical brand Beulah London in 2013, the pair are pictured at the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank
In July this year the pair welcomed new daughter India Grace Albertine, and have two elder daughters Georgia, five, and Cienna, three.
Rupert works as the in-house lawyer British multinational speciality chemicals and sustainable technologies company Johnson Matthey.
The well-connected couple have close royal links and are friends with Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank. Rupert was also invited to the Duke and Duchess’ wedding in 2011.
Beulah London, co-founded by Lady Natasha and Lavinia Brennan in 2010, has become a go-to label for Kate, who has stepped out in the designs on a number of occasions.
WILLIAM’S FIRST LOVE: CARLY MASSY-BIRCH
Carly Massy-Birch from Devon, was William’s first proper girlfriend in St Andrews
Carly Massy-Birch, 37, from Devon, was William’s first proper girlfriend in St Andrews, and dated while Kate was seeing handsome law student Rupert.
He met the English language and creative writing student in the year above him when William auditioned for the role of Zooey in a play based on JD Salinger’s Franny And Zooey.
Her parents previously confirmed that their daughter and William were ‘an item’, going out for a couple of months when they were ‘freshers’ at the university.
‘William was very taken with her, which was completely understandable,’ said one of her friends.
Carly was reported to have dated the Prince shortly before he fell for Kate Middleton, leading to a rivalry between the two girls.
But according to Mimi and Hugh Massy- Birch, there is no rift between Carly and Kate. The pair – along with the Prince – are the best of friends.
He met the English language and creative writing student in the year above him when William auditioned for the role of Zooey in a play based on JD Salinger’s Franny And Zooey. Pictured, William in June 2002
Mrs Massy-Birch said: ‘Carly will be really upset that this has come out. She went out with William for six or seven weeks when they first arrived at St Andrews. But there’s absolutely no fall-out between her and Kate.’
The Massy-Birches, who ran a farm and camping park near Axminster, Devon, kept their actress daughter’s relationship with the Prince a closely guarded secret.
Soon after the relationship ended, William was seen escorting Kate, then 26, to parties. According to one account, Massy-Birch felt a simmering resentment.
She is based in London and at the time of dating William had appeared in a few plays, including some on Radio 4.
While it is believed that Massy-Birch is now married herself, mystery surrounds her, and whether she remains in touch with the royals.
The other ones who got away…
Willem Marx
Kate Middleton started her relationship with Marlborough sweetheart Willem Marx, 38, in 2000, during her time at the prestigious Wiltshire boarding school.
The pair remained friendly over the years and in 2007 were pictured together leaving Boujis nightclub in South Kensington. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also invited him to their wedding in 2011.
Marx studied Classics at Oxford University before moving to the United States to complete a MA in journalism at New York University.
He is currently working as an NBC News Correspondent based in London and has previously worked for as a correspondent for CBS News, based out of their Kabul and later London bureaus.
The journalist has also reported stories for Al Jazeera English, Sky News, Bloomberg, the BBC and NPR. He went on to marry Italian television presenter Johanna Botta in 2014 and are parents to a young son.
Kate Middleton is pictured leaving Bouji’s nightclub in London in 2007 with former boyfriend Willem Marx
William is currently working as an NBC News Correspondent based in London and has previously worked for as a correspondent for CBS News
Henry Ropner
Kate Middleton is pictured with Henry Ropner arriving at Mahiki nightclub in West London in 2007
Prince’s former Eton schoolmate is pictured with wife Natasha Sinclair and their children in Thorp Perrow Arboretum Wildlife Park
Kate and William broke up twice during their relationship, with the Duchess of Cambridge dating shipping heir Henry Ropner during their second in 2007.
Prince’s former Eton schoolmate graduated from Edinburgh with a first class degree in civil engineering and currently works an Investment Director at FPE Capital.
Ropner, whose family own a £33.7million shipping management firm, married Natasha Sinclair back in July 2011 and currently lives with his family in Somerset.
The wedding took place just three months after Kate and Willaim’s nuptials, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance.
Davina Duckworth-Chad
Prince William’s first girlfriend Davina Duckworth Chad is pictured at Tatler’s Little Black Book Party in London in 2011
Davinais pictured with her twins India Honor and Siena Beatrice The wedding of William Duckworth-Chad and Lucy Greenwell
Davina, 40 dated William briefly before he left for university in the late 1990s and once accompanied William on a cruise of the Aegean Sea in 1999 with Prince Charles and Camilla.
Davina comes from old money, being the daughter of Norfolk landowner Old Etonian Anthony Duckworth-Chad. who lives at 40-room Pynkney Hall near King’s Lynn. Her brother, James, was equerry to the Queen.
Davina’s mother was Diana’s cousin, her father’s a friend of Charles and her brother was a royal equerry.
The two are still family friends and Davina was invited to the royal wedding in 2011 and is reportedly part of the royal set who lives just a stone’s throw from their lockdown home Anmer Hall.
She is married to Tom Barber, an Old Etonian son of a baronet, and they have twins, India and Sienna, eight.
Rose Farquhar
The youngest daughter of Captain Ian Farquhar, Rose, 35, a singer, briefly dated William in 2000
In 2016 Rose, who studied Musical Theatre and Acting in New York City, failed to make it past the auditions stage of ITV’s The Voice
Rose, 35, briefly dated William in 2000 after he finished his A levels at Eton after meeting at the Beaufort Polo Club in Gloucestershire.
The youngest daughter of Captain Ian Farquhar, master of the Beaufort Hunt, has been called William’s ‘first love’ and is now a singer who splits her time between London and Gloucestershire.
Rose appeared on 2006’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?. She got down to the last 18 in the show to find a Maria for the West End production of The Sound Of Music.
Following the programme, she went on to receive a BBC Fame Academy Award to study Musical Theatre and Acting in New York City. In 2016 Rose failed to make it past the auditions stage of ITV’s The Voice.
Despite their romance faltering, Rose and William have always stayed on good terms and often see each other at society weddings due to their mutual friends in common.
Olivia Hunt
Olivia Hunt, 35, is pictured with her husband Nicholas Wilkinson at the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews in 2017
Olivia remained good friends with the couple and is pictured at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018
Olivia Hunt, 35, briefly dated William before meeting Kate in his first year at St Andrews when she was at Edinburgh University studying English and History.
Their relationship ended after the Prince caught a glimpse of Kate in her famous see-through dress in a catwalk fashion show.
She and William have many posh mutual friends, such as the van Cutsems. Her best friend Mary Douglas-Home’s father is close to the Queen.
Olivia remained good friends with the couple and she was invited to the Royal Wedding in 2011, and the wedding of the Duchess’ younger sister Pippa Middleton and James Matthews in 2016.
The sister-in-law of TV adventurer Ben Fogle married Nicholas Wilkinson at the historic Temple Church in 2016.
She is currently Executive Director at The Arts Club, a private members’ club in the heart of Mayfair founded in 1863 to provide a haven for those with a keen interest in the Arts, Literature or Sciences.
Arabella Musgrave
Daughter of Major Nicholas Musgrave, former manager of Cirencester Park Polo Club, Arabella, 37, is another ex of Prince William. She is pictured in 2002
Last year it was reported she had landed the job as Gucci’s head of PR. She is pictured at the Walkabout Foundation Event hosted by Dee Ocleppo And Tommy Hilfiger at Loulou’s in 2015
Daughter of Major Nicholas Musgrave, former manager of Cirencester Park Polo Club, Arabella, 37, is another ex of Prince William.
She was in a relationship with William for nearly a year back in 2001 and it is said Prince Charles was a fan.
In 2014, she married George Galliers-Pratt of the Cayzer banking dynasty. They have a four-year-old daughter.
Her lavish wedding featured in US Vogue and last year it was reported she had landed the job as Gucci’s head of PR.
Jecca Craig
Prince William has been romantically linked to Jecca Craig, pictured at the wedding of Lucy Meade and Charlie Budgett
The prince has known the Craig family since he travelled to their wildlife conservancy in Kenya. Craig is pictured in London in 2015
Prince William has been romantically linked to Jecca Craig after first meeting in in 1998 in Kenya during a school holiday.
The prince has known the Craig family since he travelled to their wildlife conservancy, nestled in the shadow of Mount Kenya, during his gap year after Eton in 2001.
Jecca’s father, Ian, has become something of a father figure to William over the years and both men share a passion for wildlife and conservation.
In 2016 Jecca married conservationist Professor Jonathan Baillie inside the family’s 55,000 acre estate, Lewa.
Jecca, who helped found Panthera, the world’s largest conservation organisation, is currently undergoing a doctorate on the use of remote camera traps and other technology to monitor and manage protected areas.
Isabella Calthorpe
William met socialite, actress and model Isabella Calthorpe, pictured in 2017, from Winchester, through Princess Eugenie in 2001 and reportedly developed a crush on her in 2004
She married Virgin heir Sam Branson and couple aren’t lacking in royal connections, attending Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle in October 2018
William met socialite, actress and model Isabella Calthorpe, from Winchester, through Princess Eugenie in 2001 and reportedly developed a crush on her in 2004.
The daughter of John Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe and Lady Mary-Gaye Georgiana Lorna Curzon, Isabella is the half-sister is Cressida Bonas, who famously dated Prince Harry for years.
She also has another sibling from her mother’s first marriage, and one from her mother’s third marriage, the actress and former partner of Prince Harry, Cressida Bonas.
In 2013, she married Virgin heir Sam Branson son of business tycoon Sir Richard Branson at his father’s private safari lodge near Kruger National Park. The pair have children Eva-Deia, five, and Bluey Rafe Richard, three.
She remains close friends with Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York, both of whom attended her wedding and attended Kate and Williams wedding in 2011.
Alongside husband Sam, Bellie regularly takes part in charity hikes for the Big Change Charity, co-founded by Princess Beatrice, 31, alongside Sam and five other friends in 2010
