Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince William would have quit university if it wasn’t for his father, King Charles, according to a royal author.
The Prince of Wales began studying Art History at St Andrews university in Scotland in September 2001.
But he ended up having second thoughts after the first term as student life was not what he had expected, according to author Robert Lacey.
Mr Lacey claimed in his book, Battle of Brothers, that William “had not anticipated quite how ‘boring’ – his word – life in a small Scottish seaside town could be”.
He explained that his highlights included “shopping in the local Tesco” or playing sport on a Wednesday, while nights out were often awkward because he was easily recognisable.
The author wrote that to add to that, William was not enjoying his original course and would spend most weekends back home.
By Christmas 2001, the prince was ready to leave St Andrews and when he arrived in London for the festive period, he confided in his father, who eventually convinced him otherwise after a heart-to-heart.
Charles allegedly consulted with one of his most trusted aides, private secretary Sir Stephen Lamport, who also confided in deputy private secretary Mark Bolland.
According to Mr Lacey, royal aides were concerned that it “would have been a personal disaster for William, he would have been seen as a quitter.”
The heir to the throne eventually decided to stay and switch courses to Geography instead.
He later said: “I don’t think I was homesick, I was more daunted.
“My father was very understanding about it and realised I had the same problem he probably had.
“We chatted a lot, and in the end we both realised – I definitely realised – that I had to come back.”