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World

Pre-Wedding Travels: William and Kate Visit Their Alma Mater

By Elizabeth Tyler Feb. 25, 2011
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Prince William and his fiancée, Kate Middleton, today returned to the  place where their romance blossomed: St Andrews University in Scotland.

The happy couple’s visit began with a reception inside the principal’s residence, University House, where they reminisced with members of the teaching staff and other guests about the good old days as St Andrews students.

Prince William gave a speech in the University’s main quad where hundreds of students and well-wishers were gathered. “This is a very special moment for Catherine and me,” he said, “despite being one of Europe’s leading research institutions, the third oldest university in the English-speaking world and of course, far and away the best university in the world, St Andrews has that uncanny knack of feeling like home.”

(More on TIME.com: See photos of royal weddings through the decades)

Following his speech, in which he announced the fund-raising campaign to raise £100 million (about $160 million) for new scholarships and student support, three fighter jets flew over the ancient quad before the prince and his bride-to-be heard songs from the university’s choir. They then followed bagpipe players out on to the streets where crowds were gathered.

The former St Andrews students spent time greeting the excited crowd before going in to lunch with, among others, students from their alma mater. The party included the President of the St Andrews Fashion Show, where it’s been said that Prince William first spotted his future bride.

(More on TIME.com: Read about Kate’s fashion show outfit – the infamous sheer dress – going to auction)

Sophy Gurney, a fourth year student at St Andrews, told TIME: “It’s so fantastic to see them here. There’s such a buzz around the town and everyone’s been talking about it for days. Prince William really expressed his love for St Andrews, which was so nice to hear.”

Students have been enterprising in their preparation for the visit, with one hanging a poster outside their house reading “Honeymoon Suite Available Here.”

The couple met at St Andrews when Kate Middleton was studying geography and Prince William was studying history of art. The matchmaking reputation of the university is well known, as the principal tells students when they first arrive. Now that its two most famous graduates are set to tie the knot, this reputation seems well deserved.

(More on TIME.com: See our suggestions for Kate’s wedding dress)

Miss Gurney, a history of art student like Prince William, said, “It was such a wonderful occasion. They are a great couple and we were all just so happy to see them here. It’s a great day for St Andrews.”

As a wedding present to the couple, the university has offered a scholarship worth £70,000 ($112,630) to a student who without financial support would be unable to attend the 600-year-old Scottish university.

(More on TIME.com: See  here for all of TIME’s Royal Wedding coverage)

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