St Andrews may be the oldest university in Scotland, dating back to 1413. But most royal watchers speak of St Andrews as the place where Prince William and his fiancée, Kate Middleton, first met and fell in love.
"St Andrews is such a romantic town…More students meet their future partners here than at any other university in Britain," said Brian Lang, the university's former principal and vice-chancellor.
Reporting live from London, England, Canada AM's Beverly Thomson spoke with Lang about his earliest recollections of Will and Kate.
Lang began his duties at St Andrews in January of 2001. He remained at the prestigious school until December of 2008.
Not long after his appointment, Lang received an astonishing newsflash.
The incoming administrator was told "William is coming." The "William" in question, of course, was the next heir to the British throne.
"It did come as something of a shock," said Lang.
William's presence at St Andrews presented Lang with a tremendous challenge.
"The test was not to make him stand out…but of course he stood out," said Lang.
Right from the get-go, the young royal's arrival at St Andrews sparked tremendous interest.
"Student applications were on the upswing after William came here," said Lang.
The media's interest in the student prince also grew, particularly after Prince William began dating Middleton in 2003.
Like his father, Prince Charles, William's private life suddenly became the subject of tabloid speculation around the world.
When William and Middleton began their studies at St Andrews in 2001, they lived a few doors apart and began socializing together and playing tennis.
The couple became flat mates in 2002, sharing a four-bedroom Edwardian townhouse with friends.
But media reports have suggested that one moment at a school fashion show cemented William's romantic interest in the lanky brunette.
In 2002, Middleton agreed to model a see-through black dress at the charity event held at St Andrews.
Middleton, then 21, sashayed confidently down the catwalk dressed in only her underwear and a sheer black silk garment over top.
""My memory of the event is that it was one of the rowdy, not terribly well organized student events," said Lang.
"I don't remember Kate. I don't remember the dress," he said, with a grin.
Fortunately for Middleton, the same cannot be said of her future fiancé.
During a trip to Kenya in October of 2010, Prince William proposed to Middleton at the Lewa game reserve, a favourite spot for the 28-year-old royal.
On November 16, 2010, Clarence House announced the couple's engagement. Prince William presented Middleton with the 18 carat sapphire engagement ring that belonged to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Middleton could never have imagined on that catwalk that one day she would wed England's future king. But the idyllic, medieval St Andrews clearly played its fateful part in this historic romance.
"St Andrews is romantic," said Lang. "And the romance is long lasting."
