St Andrews crowds flock to welcome back royal couple

THEY met and fell in love here. And when Prince William and Kate Middleton made a return to their college town, they were once again embraced by the locals who had fiercely defended their privacy.

Thousands lined the cobblestoned streets of St Andrews in Scotland yesterday, in hope of catching a glimpse of the royal couple. Well-wishers of all ages and nationalities stood six deep in some spots, stretching out flowers and hands — hoping that a bit of the royal stardust would rub off.

Mhari Cowan, 19, a Scottish student from Troon who spoke to Middleton, beamed after her royal encounter.

“I just spoke to Kate Middleton!” she said. “She shook my hand and I asked her if William would like to wear a kilt to the wedding. She said she didn’t think so.”

The couple, who will wed on April 29 at London’s Westminster Abbey, travelled to St Andrews to help their alma mater kick off a two-year celebration of its 600th anniversary. It was only their third public appearance since announcing their engagement in November.

The two met in St Andrews as students. They were initially just friends, but an on-again, off-again romance bloomed on campus, developing into the love affair that has captivated a nation.

Prince William called the visit a “special moment” for the couple as he addressed a reception in the university quadrangle. Middleton, who wore a red suit with black accents, smiled and pushed windswept hair off her face she gazed at her fiance.

“It was almost as nerve-racking as doing my graduation up there again,” he told reporters afterward.

The couple took time to mingle with the crowds, greeting and chatting with locals and students.