TikTok users can’t get enough of Kate Middleton and Prince William as the 2000s' ‘It Couple’

A viral video on the social media platform

TikTok

has sparked public interest in one of the longest-running love affairs of contemporary royalty. The video, which hails

Prince William

and

Kate Middleton

as the "it couple" of the 2000s, has gained more than 390,000 views and 40,000 likes since Sunday. With its retro montage of highlights in their relationship, the clip has reawakened widespread admiration for the couple, particularly among young web users viewing their tale for the first time.The video begins with scenes from the University of St Andrews in 2005, where William and Kate initially met as university students. From academy gowns to uniformed military attire, the clip follows them from student days to high-ranking royals, featuring scenes from RAF Cranwell, Sandhurst, and other public engagements. The comment section was inundated by TikTok users showering them with praise, terming their relationship timeless and characterising their relationship as one that was built on mutual respect and love.The film is more than just a visual obituary. It marks how an alliance previously under the spotlight and pursued relentlessly by the media ended up being a contemporary royal fairytale. As duty-bound public figures who juggle work and domestic life, William and Kate have attracted attention not through spectacle but through reliability, dependability, and a normative visibility.

William and Kate’s ‘royal romance’ began in a Scottish lecture hall

Prince William and Kate Middleton initially met in 2001 at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. Both were studying art history before William changed to geography. Their first friendship slowly evolved into a relationship, with many early memories created behind closed doors, within the university's ancient grounds and shared houses.According to the BBC, it was in 2003 that the media started gossiping about their romance, although the couple managed to keep things pretty much under wraps throughout their course of study. It was at their graduation in 2005 that one of the first public achievements was caught on camera. In the going-viral TikTok clip, the moment when "William Wales" is summoned to claim his degree is a central visual image of academic achievement and development.

Kate walked beside William long before the royal wedding

After university, Prince William went for military training, and Kate was frequently observed supporting him from the sidelines. William attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2006, ultimately receiving his commission as an officer. Kate witnessed the Sovereign's Parade in 2007, during which William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, officiated.Another turning point was in 2008 when William was awarded his RAF wings at Royal Air Force Cranwell. Kate accompanied him to the ceremony, walking with him down the corridors of the Central Flying School. These photos are included in the viral collection, highlighting Kate's presence not only at social functions but also at sombre moments in William's initial career.Robert Jobson, writing in his biography Catherine, said that while she was not protected from all problems by these privileges, Kate revelled in the perks of dating a prince, such as security escorts and access to the upper echelons of social life, but remained humble and respectful in her demeanour. Jobson wrote that she was "unfazed by the trappings of royalty" and concentrated on her relationship with William, not on the royal label that came with it.

Life in the public eye: Coping with public scrutiny

With their relationship intensifying, so did the paparazzi. Kate was followed everywhere by paparazzi, snapped on her way to work and on her private outings. There were increasing tensions among royal aides regarding the amount of intrusion into her affairs, according to The Guardian. William's protective nature came out, and he allegedly made a formal appeal to the press for respect of Kate's privacy.In spite of this scrutiny, Kate was able to keep her calm and steer clear of tabloid controversy. Her dignity in the face of adversity served to further cement her public image as a suitable candidate for royal life. Her role in William's life became ever more formalised, and by 2010, the world was anticipating a proposal.

A royal wedding and public acclaim

On 16th November 2010, the couple revealed they were engaged, and a few months later, on 29th April 2011, the world witnessed them getting married at Westminster Abbey. Their wedding attracted millions of viewers worldwide with coverage across the continents and languages. The couple in the subsequent years became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.Their union is not only recalled for its glory, but also for its symbolism. It heralded the start of a new era for the monarchy - an era that focused on youth, accessibility, and calm partnership. In a 2011 YouGov survey, it was found that William and Kate's popularity eclipsed other senior royals, securing them in the hearts of the public.

Parenthood and public roles

William and Kate grew their family over the years, having Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2015, and Prince Louis in 2018. Every birth was accompanied by a frenzy of media attention and national celebration. Despite the spotlight, however, the couple have tried to provide their children with a down-to-earth upbringing, tending to select schools and pursuits based on their values more than royal custom.They have also assumed additional senior royal responsibilities. William, now the Prince of Wales, has concentrated on mental health, the environment, and homelessness, whereas Kate, the Princess of Wales, advocates for early childhood development and mental health education. They make their public appearances together often enough, and their relationship remains a popular favourite to watch.

Why William and Kate's viral video resonated in 2025

The viral video uploaded in June 2025 is riding a wave of nostalgia and appreciation for William and Kate's early years. The montage has garnered more than 390,000 views on TikTok and thousands of comments and reminded audiences about the simplicity and strength that defined their relationship since day one.The caption of the video, "POV: you both were the IT couple in the 2000s," is the cultural attitude toward William and Kate during those times. Their narrative provides an alternative to all-too-brief celebrity romance, in which royal couples can mature in the face of pressure and scrutiny.The commenters on the video also shared this view. One commenter posted, "William made the best decision of his life when he married Kate," and another said, "They are meant to be, so happy she's the future queen." The reaction indicates sustained emotional commitment to their saga, even though the royal family overall is under greater pressure in the contemporary era.