willyandcath pov: you both were the IT couple in the 2000s #princewilliam #princewilliamedit #princewilliamofwales #williamwales #william #williamarthurphiliplouis #princewilliamdukeofcambridge #williamprinceofwales #dukeofcambridge #princesofwales #futureking #youngprincewilliam #catherinemiddleton #catherinemiddletonedit #catherineelizabethmiddleton #katemiddleton #katemiddletonedit #princesscatherine #princesskate #princesskatemiddleton #princesscatherineofwales #catherineduchessofcambridge #catherineprincessofwales #duchessofcambridge #princessofwales #futurequeen #williamandkate #williamandcatherine #british #england #2000s #walesfamily #britishroyalfamily #britishroyalfamily馃嚞馃嚙 #fyp #fyp銈枫倸 #foryou #fyp銈枫倸viral #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #dontflop #plsdontflop #blowup #viral #xyzbca 鈾 Paparazzi 鈥 Lady Gaga
Prince William and then Katherine Middleton were the stars of the early 2000s, with paparazzi following their every move.
Early morning taxi rides back from clubs in Chelsea, watching the polo together and generally enjoying their early twenties in London, the young couple were hard to miss.
Now, almost 20 years after their nights out began gracing front pages, it seems a new generation has fallen in love with William and Kate.
鈥楶OV: you were both the IT couple in the 2000s,鈥 TikTok account willyandcath posted, paired with footage of Wills and Kate in their glory days.
Their graduation at St Andrew鈥檚, William鈥檚 time at a military academy, cameras flashing as they walked into a black cab late at night 鈥 all set to the song 鈥楶aparazzi鈥 by Lady Gaga.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are TikTok famous, twenty years after their 鈥榩rime鈥. But why?
The couple shared more than a few boozy nights out in London (Picture: Shutterstock)
They also spent many days at polo and rugby matches (Picture: Shutterstock)
Why are these videos going viral?
Psychologist Dr. Lalitaa Suglani told Metro on behalf of Genting Casino: 鈥楻omanticising the past, particularly through nostalgic media, is a form of emotional regulation.
鈥業n uncertain or fast-paced modern times, people often seek comfort in familiar or 鈥渟impler鈥 eras.鈥
鈥楾he early 2000s hold a particular cultural aesthetic that many associate with optimism and pre-digital overload. Fan cams package these memories with soft music and filtered visuals, helping to trigger emotional responses tied to security, belonging, and longing 鈥 all connecting people to ways of feeling romanticised.鈥
What is a fan cam?
A fan cam is a video clip of a celebrity or influential figure, edited by fans, often to music and trending sounds, and shared online.
They鈥檙e particularly popular among K-pop fans, who use them to circulate footage fans take of their idols.
But they鈥檙e also silly 鈥 some online have made versions of fan cams with politicians and other figures who don鈥檛 quite fit the 鈥榲ibe鈥 of a fan cam.
Dr Suglani added that social media has amplified this trend 鈥 the feel-good nostalgia can be accomplished through these short videos.
Prince William and Princess Kate鈥檚 early romance is also appealing because it resembles a fairy tale narrative.
鈥楢 royal love story that played out publicly, full of relatable ups and downs. From a psychological perspective, we鈥檙e drawn to parasocial relationships, one-sided connections we form with public figures.
鈥榃hen older clips resurface, they don鈥檛 just remind us of the couple, they remind us of our own past selves, our own first loves, or a time when life felt more certain or romantic.鈥
The couple were the centre of tabloids in the 2000s (Picture: Shutterstock)
Their love story unfolded in the media for all to see (Picture: Shutterstock)
What is our obsession with celebrity couples?
Dr Suglani explained: 鈥楶aparazzi culture fed the public鈥檚 appetite during the 2000s, creating a sense of 鈥渟hared ownership鈥 over their story.
鈥楾his made their relationship feel both personal and accessible. Their royal status adds another layer, symbolism, tradition, and continuity, which taps into our brain鈥檚 love of narrative and structure.
鈥楻oyalty offers familiarity and mythology. When we watch old footage, we鈥檙e not just watching two people in love, we鈥檙e reconnecting with a time, a feeling, and a narrative that brings emotional resolution.鈥
It seems our love affair with royal couples isn鈥檛 going away.
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