William and Kate recall St Andrews University courtship

The couple arrived to the sound of bagpipes at Middle Temple

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge remembered the first time they met, at a fundraising dinner for the University of St Andrews at Middle Temple, central London.

The couple arrived to the sound of bagpipes at Middle Temple - one of the ancient Inns of Court - where the duke is an honorary barrister and member of the institution's governing body.

The royal couple was supporting the university's 600th anniversary appeal.

They met students, staff and alumni.

The appeal aims to provide financial support for able students who would not otherwise be able to study at St Andrews.

William is patron of the campaign which he launched in February last year during a visit to St Andrews with Catherine.

'Thankful for friendships'

Addressing students, lecturers and alumni, he said: "Tonight is very special for Catherine and me.

"It brings together two institutions that are dear to us: our alma mater, St Andrews University, and Middle Temple, our hosts here tonight.

He said they had been privileged to receive the best university education and they loved St Andrews for the academic start in life it had given them.

"We love it for its traditions - traditions that lie at the very heart of Scotland's history. We love it because it made us look beyond St Andrews, beyond the borders of Scotland, to the wide world.

"But perhaps most important of all, we love it for the friendships it has given us.

"As I look around this hall tonight - and even take a peek at the person sitting three from my left [Catherine] - I thank God for those friendships - our friendship - forged in our ancient halls.

'Talking about golf'

Catherine and William first met at St Andrews and they both graduated in 2005 with a 2:1.

William chose to do his honours degree in geography while Catherine chose art history.

Carson Wos, 22, a fourth year art student at St Andrews who met the duchess, said: "We were talking about studying art and she was asking if it had changed slightly now.

"We were talking about golf and she said she didn't have time to play golf at university, but she wished she had."

Another art student said: "It was wonderful to be wished good luck in my exams by Kate Middleton."