With the upcoming royal chatter in the air, it’s not a shock that there is an outbreak of Royal Fever worldwide.  OWN has a little too, as they bring us an inside look at Prince William and Kate…and their own behind the scenes speculation of what that journey must have looked like.  So, what is their story?   

This 90 minute piece takes us on the journey of William and Kate’s  path….from the beginning to when they met all the way to today.   Narrated by royal correspondants and one woman without an Engligh accent who we never quite find out WHO she is…this special tells the story of how the two met…and a little insight of their journey of falling in love.  No doubt the history books will all have their own versions, but this light hearted piece skims the top of the story and reminds us why we like the two so much….because they are so likeable and so real.  If you already have Royal Fever,  you will enjoy this show.  If you are immune…you will still leave liking them.  It’s a little hard not to wish them love and joy!

Here is a little recap of what the story will tell you…Born in 1982, Kate Elizabeth Middleton had a childhood with a lot of happiness and a lot of family feeling, we are told.  Middle class but with money, her parents worked and dreamed of good lives for their children.  Her parents set out to make their own company – Party Pieces, an internet and catalog party source – which in turn probably makes the public love her more because this is so normal.  This safe and secure loving life is probably one of the things that Prince William really loves about Kate.  She lived the life he would have loved to live…

Born June 21, 1982, William born as the future heir of England, but his family’s story of fairytale to separation and to the early death of his mother, Princess Diana caused Prince William to grow up fast.  William was only 15 when his mother died; his brother Harry, was only 12.

Inside Kate’s young years, we are told that she was bullied and very unhappy at the first boarding school that she attended.  So, her mother and father looked around and made the decision that even though it was a little out of their budget, they changed schools for her.  It was here that she found her confidence and voice.  We are told her was well liked, sporty, and there is so little in her past that is scandalous…which is a good thing.  She was “popular but not in a pushy sense…friendly and academically successful.” 

All this time, the boys, William and Harry, were shielded from the press during their school years…an agreement made between the royal family and the English news agencies after the death of Princess Diana.  When we do catch a glimpse, everyone notices that William has taken so much from his mother‘s character – The Spencer good looks, charm and a readiness to laugh. “He’s got a good heart full of good will and wants good things to happen,” says one of the reporters that are taking us through these early years of William and Kate.  “The years he had with his mother gave him a sensitivity that has helped him become who he is today.”

Before going on to his University years, we are reminded of how Prince William spent his “gap year” in-between boarding school and college.  After this time living and working in Chili, we are told he emerges more confident and self aware.  Such kindness and realness are captured in the footage from Chili, it reminds us that there is a warmth and loving spirit that must be gently guiding his life.     

Finally, at the University, William and Kate met in an Art History course.  In the beginning, we are told that it was friendship only.  They enjoyed a normal college life experience…where William rented a house with friends near campus and in this tight, inner circle, they would enjoy dinner partys, study sessions, and just hanging out. 

The legend in the story begins with a charity fashion event and a risky sheer dress.  As they say, Kate walked out in a charity fashion shoot and she got the attention of the one man that she really wanted.  From there, normal life included dinner at home and Sunday’s with Kate’s family.  “He fell in love with Kate’s family as much as he did with Kate,” we are told. William was treated as part of the family during this time and he must have fell in love with what he experienced…the idea of the typical English family…Kate’s family. 

Because there was no market for the pictures while the boys were attending school, the young couple was basically left alone by the media – because even if photos were taken of them, based on the agreement, they couldn’t publish them.   But once William and Kate graduated in 2005, the press went crazy.  Kate was pursued relentlessly. The family began to re-resented the intrusion of the press re-entering their lives and the young men became very protective of their girlfriends but as Prince Harry says, ”it’s part of the baggage that comes with me.”… 

From this inside look, we see how we came to today.  Much more is covered in the special, such as Kate’s relationship with both William and her closeness to Harry, their breakup in 2007, their reconciliation, Kate’s crazy uncle, the proposal, the dress…and the royalness of it all.  The show is definitely worth the watch…and a smile or two at how human we all are…no matter what family you were born into.