WILL & CAT'S 2005 GETAWAY TO THE ISLE OF MULL!
They may now be known locally as Lord and Lady of the Isles. But Prince William and his then girlfriend, Catherine, didn't stand on ceremony when they first visited the beautiful Isle of Mull as students.
The couple stayed on the island in the Inner Hebrides in 2005 following their final exams at St Andrew's University, where they first met and fell in love.
They enjoyed their stay so much that they even had a 'water bomb match' with their neighbours, sipped pints in the local pub, did their shopping in the Co-op and enjoyed a friendly BBQ with locals.
Along with a group of friends, they rented Victoria Cottage on Breadalbane Street in Tobermory. W&C and their group enjoyed a four-day, self-catering stay at their holiday let overlooking the harbour before they returned to university for their gradation that June.
William was spotted on the ferry over from Oban, on the Scottish mainland, with passengers apparently staring in disbelief. One passenger said he was 'very chatty' on the boat and made no effort to hide his identity.
Arriving on Mull, the group dropped their bags off at their cottage before popping down to the local Co-op for provisions.
He was very handsome and very polite
- a staff member about Will
The future king was also seen in the local pub watching the British Lions in New Zealand and then went back to the shop with friends to buy a picnic lunch before heading out into the hills walking.
He was minding his own business and so did everyone else. His family have a lot of connections on the west coast of Scotland and that is probably why he has decided to holiday here
- a shop worker.
Discussing their upcoming visit, a source said :
'William and Kate were here previously. They were open to the public, just a normal couple enjoying a break away.
They had fun with the local neighbours with a water bomb match and had a BBQ with them too. They were just very normal people, without any royal airs and graces. It was really nice to see.'
As per another source:
'There was a whole gang on them just having a break, all very chilled. There was no fuss or fanfare and because William acted so low-key and normal, all the people around here did too.
The funny thing was that Princess Anne was also visiting the island at the same time and they both ended up in the Co-op together.
What at the chances of having two members of the Royal Family here at the same time - and in the same shop?
Anne comes here a lot when she stops off on her boat, but it was very funny to see them both queuing together - William was standing behind her.
It just goes to show that if people as famous as the Royal Family don't make a fuss, then no-one else does too. You would barely see the security with them. It was all very low-key.'
Today, the couple arrive on the Isle of Mull again on their 14th wedding anniversary for a two day official visit. But, it can be disclosed,