Previously-unseen party photo of Kate surfaces

A picture of Kate at a party during her university days has surfaced for the first time on social media.

An unseen pic of Princess Kate has been posted by an ex-university friend who fondly recalled their “lovely” college years together.

Laura Warshaur – who was in the same halls as the royal – shared a photo on Instagram taken during their time studying at St Andrews.

The picture was taken when the pair were at a flat party on Hope Street, where the Prince and Princess of Wales lived in their second year, reports The Sun.

Kate was snapped wearing a cream turtleneck jumper with her natural curls.

She had minimal makeup on with just a touch of brown eyeshadow and blush.

The royal’s accessories were subtle, featuring pearl stud earrings and a thin blue hair scrunchie worn on her wrist.

In the photo, the Princess and her university friend – dressed in a black V-neck jumper – smile together while holding brownie bites.

Kate in a throwback picture from her university days. Picture: Instagram

Laura shared the photo on her Instagram page to show support for the Princess of Wales as she continued her cancer treatment.

However, this week the image caught the attention of royal fan accounts.

The caption from Laura read: “Sending love to Kate Middleton, the future Queen of England and my university dormmate!

“This was us at a Hope Street flat party. I have the loveliest college memories with Kate.

“She is the kindest, most caring, down-to-earth, genuine person, and it’s incredible to see her shining so brightly and inspiring the world with her compassion and courage.”

Kate Middleton on the day of her graduation ceremony at St Andrew's University on June 23, 2005 in Scotland. Picture: Middleton Family/Clarence House via GettyImages

… and in July of this year at Wimbledon. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The post received hundreds of likes and comments from fans of the princess.

“Neither of you has changed much, so gorgeous. So happy to see her out and about again with that big smile,” commented one user.

Another added: “No way, most unexpected duo EVER.”

While a third wrote: “How sweet your tribute to her back when she was diagnosed. And how beautiful you both are in this picture.”

Laura – who is now a singer-songwriter – previously revealed how she watched Kate fall in love with her future husband Prince William at the Scottish university.

The royal mother-of-three met the prince in 2001 during their first week as psychology students, though she later switched to an art history degree.

It wasn’t long before the Prince noticed Kate, an “attractive brunette” who fellow students dubbed the “prettiest girl in Sally’s” during Fresher’s Week.

Kate was even given the nickname “Beautiful Kate” by fellow students, which certainly helped to get William’s attention.

The couple began as friends but quickly fell for each other. Picture: Middleton Family/Clarence House via GettyImages

Fate pulled the pair together at a fashion show in the St Andrew’s Hotel during their second term of studying.

On March 27, 2002, William forked out £200 (A$389) for a front-row ticket to the show, fully aware that his crush Kate was set to take part.

William famously gasped “Wow, Kate’s hot”, when she strutted the catwalk in a see-through black and gold dress which visibly showed off her underwear.

Clearly, the underwear impressed the royal as William was spotted kissing and sipping cocktails with Kate after the show.

Laura, who has since lost touch with the royal couple, revealed that all their friends believed the two would end up together.

The couple in a sweet moment from a video released in September, announcing that Kate had completed chemotherapy. Picture: Will Warr/Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

Roommates … and more

By the second year at St Andrew’s, William and Kate moved in together and their friendship did develop into something more.

The bond blossomed largely in private, due to a media blackout which had been agreed upon after the death of Princess Diana.

This meant William was “off limits” during his time in full-time education – and he also opted to go by the nickname of Steve to enable him to have a relatively normal experience among his peers.

Kate, William and two friends, Fergus and Olivia, signed up to live off campus together in a quaint two-storey, four-bedroom Edwardian townhouse in the city.

13A Hope Street – which was fitted with bulletproof windows and a bombproof front door for the prince’s safety – cost just £100 (A$194) per week, and William and Kate’s rooms were one floor apart.

It was in this home’s small kitchen where William tried to impress his pretty housemate with his culinary skills.

He even attempted to whip up dishes like “Bolognese”, according to the Princess of Wales.

She once joked: “I would have to wander in and save something that was going [wrong].”

The couple were said to “avoid big parties” and instead had “home-cooked meals and romantic evenings watching TV together.”

And a former student revealed: “Wills and Kate would tell people they were simply housemates and would always avoid any public shows of affection.

“There were of course rumours but they were careful to avoid being the subject of student gossip.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Previously-unseen party photo of Kate surfaces