As a member of the Royal Family it can often be difficult to go unnoticed, but not impossible.
The Prince of Wales used a false name at university, at a time when he was trying to avoid media attention and experience some normality during his studies.
In St Andrews, Scotland, he used the pseudonym ‘Steve’ with his friends, Robert Jobson recounted in his new book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales.
The media had reached an agreement with the Palace and agreed to give him privacy during his course, but William consented to some photos and interaction, such as on his first day at university in September 2001.
Prince William and Kate on their graduation day at St Andrews in June 2005
Prince William, pictured here in his student accommodation, was called ‘Steve’ at university with his friends.
Kate and William would later use false names together, including Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
He also had to be selective with his friends and choose people he knew he could trust.
William officially enrolled on his course as ‘William Wales’, but among friends he used a false name.
Mr Jobson wrote: “Among friends he decided to use the pseudonym ‘Steve’ in a strange attempt to blend in.”
The Prince wanted to avoid people who only wanted to know him because of his background.
Mr Jobson recounted how William said: “People who try to take advantage of me and get a piece of me, I detect quickly and soon abandon them.” I’m not stupid.’
However, Steve would not be the surname William would adopt.
Later, as his relationship with Kate grew in college, the couple would enjoy traveling together.
“During weekends and holidays he often took Catherine to Highgrove or Sandringham or to a cottage on the Balmoral Estate,” Jobson wrote.
However, they did not always stay at the royal residences and when they did venture out, the couple attempted to use another identity.
“They occasionally checked into hotels using the names Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which certainly didn’t fool anyone,” Jobson added.
The young prince buying stamps as a student at a newsagent in St Andrews in December 2003.
Kate chatting with her university friends while watching William play rugby in April 2005.
The couple enjoys a tender moment on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color in June.
When the couple rekindled their relationship in 2007 after a brief separation, they vacationed in the Seychelles.
William and Kate also used false names in this case and checked into the hotel with Martin and Rosemary Middleton, journalist Marcia Moody wrote in her 2013 biography of the princess.
Their plan to keep a low profile seemed to work and William and Kate enjoyed kayaking and snorkeling on the coral reef.
When the couple married in 2011 and were given the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their royal aides and security began using code names.
The names ‘Danny Collins’ and ‘Daphne Clark’ were reportedly used in his assistants’ phone contact lists to help keep their data private, daily star previously revealed.
It meant that if the mobile phones were ever lost, anyone trying to access them wouldn’t realize who they were.
The initials ‘DC’ in the secret codenames allude to the royal couple’s title: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince William and Charles greet the public before William’s first term at St Andrews in 2001.
Kate in her graduation gown during the June 2005 ceremony.
The couple laughs during a visit to the Bahamas in March 2022
Secret names and code words are commonly used in the Royal Family to keep important information secret.
Royal expert Laura Windsor told Reader’s Digest: ‘Actual codenames are used for security reasons.
“These switchboard (operators) could listen to every conversation, so real code names were used to prevent them from learning any important news before the royal family did.”
He added that the use of keywords avoids “suspicion” and allows royals to make their travel arrangements without attracting attention.