The Windsor Family's Dating Histories Before "I Do".....3/3.

Can you picture a young King Charles courting someone other than Camilla? Or imagine Prince William bringing home a different university sweetheart before Kate Middleton? The British royals' romantic journeys reveal fascinating near-misses and formative relationships that shaped today's monarchy. From Princess Diana's early romances to Prince Harry's pre-Meghan dating life, the Windsors have experienced their share of College sweethearts (like Kate's St Andrews beau),Aristocratic matches (Charles' history with Lady Sarah Spencer) and Star-crossed connections (Harry's rumored flings with models and socialites).

These pre-marriage relationships weren't just youthful dalliances - they served as crucial preparation for royal duties. William reportedly sought a partner who could handle palace life after watching his parents' struggles, while Harry's dating choices reflected his quest for authenticity before meeting Meghan.The fascinating "what-ifs" linger...What if Charles had married one of his early girlfriends? How might the monarchy differ if William had chosen a different bride? and Which exes still move in royal-adjacent circles? These romantic roads not taken ultimately led to the modern royal family we know today - proving that even future kings and queens need practice in matters of the heart.But where are some of the royal exes now?

Chelsy Davy: Prince Harry's First Love & Her Blooming Family Life

Before Meghan Markle, there was Chelsy Davy,Prince Harry’s longest-lasting pre-royal romance. The pair dated for seven years before their 2011 split, a relationship that weathered long distances and intense media scrutiny.Today, the Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur has built a joyful life beyond palace headlines. In 2022, she married Sam Cutmore-Scott, an Oxford-educated businessman, in an intimate ceremony. Their family has since grown with the arrival of their son, Leo, followed by daughter Chloe in 2024.

Rose Farquhar: Prince William’s Brief College Romance & Her Musical Journey

Before Kate Middleton, a young Prince William enjoyed a fleeting romance with singer Rose Farquhar in 2000—a post-Eton fling that fizzled when he left for St Andrews University.
Though their relationship was short-lived, Farquhar carved her own path in the spotlight. The talented vocalist competed on How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? (2006) and The Voice UK (2016), showcasing her theatrical soprano range.Now 41, she maintains an amicable bond with her royal ex—so much so that William received an invitation to her 2022 wedding to financier George Gemmell.

Richard Johnson: Zara Tindall’s Former Flame & Life After Royal Romance 

Before Olympic equestrian Zara Tindall married rugby star Mike Tindall, she shared a three-year relationship with champion jockey Richard Johnson that ended in 2003.The most successful jump jockey in British history after Sir AP McCoy, Johnson retired in 2021 after an extraordinary 27-year career that included over 3,800 wins. He’s since settled into family life with wife Fiona Chance—daughter of renowned racehorse trainer Noel Chance—and their children.Despite the split, Johnson and Zara maintain a cordial relationship, occasionally crossing paths at equestrian events where their shared passion for horses bridges any past romance.

Dave Clark: Princess Beatrice’s Longtime Love & Life After the Palace

Before marrying Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Beatrice shared a significant chapter of her life with American businessman Dave Clark. Their ten-year relationship, which began when Beatrice was just 19, became one of the longest royal romances of its generation before their mutual decision to part ways in 2016.

The Virgin Galactic executive (and former advisor to the Clinton Foundation) has since built a new life in London with his wife Lynn Anderson, an advertising professional. The couple tied the knot in a low-key 2018 ceremony in Scotland, contrasting with the royal wedding that might have been. Clark now works in the logistics sector while maintaining the dignified discretion that characterized his years dating a princess.