FROM UNI PAL

It took a charity fashion show, a daring transparent dress and a front-row seat to turn Kate Middleton into more than just Prince William’s good friend and jogging partner.

Kate, who turns 40 on Sunday, was on the same history of art course at St Andrews University, lived only a few doors away and shared a love of sport and fitness, joining up with William for regular morning runs.

And they may have remained no more than pals but for Kate’s stint as a catwalk model at the show, which made William see her in a totally different light.

William had paid £200 for a front-row seat at the show in spring 2002 and, when Kate took to the runway in a transparent dress, is said to have turned to his friend and whispered: “Wow, Kate’s hot!”

Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty magazine, says: “Kate and William’s relationship began as a friendship, but when Kate did that catwalk show, that was the first time he really looked at her as more than a lovely friend. Early dates were very simple.

“They used to go to a place called Ma Bells and they would be very discreet.

“Often William would turn up and Kate would appear later but they wouldn’t be together. William wanted to keep it under wraps as long as he could.

“They shared an apartment together in their second year and that’s where their relationship moved up a pace.

“I think that’s where their relationship was consummated.”

Their third-year living arrangements were even more private, holed up in Balgove House just outside the town, surrounded by acres of wild land.

Soon, the open secret among St Andrews locals became public. During a skiing trip to Klosters in April 2004, William was pictured with his arm draped around Kate and it became clear that she was more than a friend.