Sad reason Prince William had a different name when he was at University

There is a heartbeaking reason why Prince William chose to use a different name at university following mass speculation at the time.

Prince William attended the prestigious University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he met his future wife Kate Middleton.

But the Prince didn't want to be known as a royal during his time there, and opted to go under an alias - despite the majority of his friends definitely knowing of his status anyway.

As many know, he suffered almost constant scrutiny when he was a child, especially in the years after his mother, Princess Diana, tragically died.

So naturally, he wanted to take some time away from the spotlight during his studies.

Prince William and Kate Middleton pictured together in 2007. (Indigo/Getty Images)

Despite the press granting William an element of privacy during his time at St Andrews, speculation and interest in the Prince's life didn't just disappear.

So, in an attempt to keep a low profile, William asked if his peers in Scotland would call him Steve, The Mirror reports.

He officially enrolled at the university under the name William Wales, but all his classmates used the nickname to prevent any unwanted attention.

There's also a good chance that Kate referred to her future husband using his undercover name, as the pair were friends and classmates long before they became a couple.

Prince William studied the history of art at university before switching to geography.

He graduated alongside Kate in June 2005 when he was 23, six years before the pair would tie the knot in one of the most memorable royal weddings in history.

William graduated alongside Kate in 2005. (Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

The late Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, King Charles and Queen Camilla all attended their graduation ceremony.

Speaking with The Telegraph at the time, he said: "Today is a very special day for me and I am delighted that I can share it with my family, and in particular with my grandmother, who has made such an effort to come, having been under the weather.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at St Andrews and I shall be very sad to leave."

After leaving university, he decided to train at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst - as part of a long-standing royal tradition.

After training, he went onto join the RAF Search and Rescue Force in early 2009.