William’s nickname for future wife Kate was ‘babykins’, court told

Prince William’s pet nickname for Kate Middleton before the couple were married was “babykins”, the jury in the Old Bailey hacking trial heard.

Transcripts of intimate messages between the couple were read out in court. They were discovered by detectives investigating hacking allegations against the now-defunct News of the World.

William, who left the messages while he was training at Sandhurst military academy, calls his future wife “babykins” and “baby”, tries to arrange to meet up, and also tells her he would love to see her if it is not too late or she is busy at the gym.