As a student at university in the early 2000s, Prince William was eager to blend in - and opted to go by the name 'Steve' to conceal his identity from his fellow students.

The royal, who is celebrating his 43rd birthday today, was a student at the University of St Andrews - the same education establishment where he met his now-wife. The royal was set to graduate with a degree in art history - much like Princess Kate - but later decided to switch to geography in his second year.

The royal life is often a very public one, with the public and the media taking an interest in every element of their lives - even when they are still students.

Despite going by 'Steve' amongst his peers, William was registered at the university officially as 'William Wales'.

The name apparently helped the famous royal remain relatively under the radar while at university.

Having developed a friendship with Kate, the pair later began dating. Although the couple did split for a short time, William finally proposed in 2010 - and he tied the knot with Kate the following year on April 29.

As well as Steve, William was used to one funny nickname as a child - one given to him by his late mother, Princess Diana.

In an NBC interview in 2007, William admitted to being stuck with the name 'Wombat', saying "I can't get rid of it now".

He added: "It began when I was two.

"I've been rightfully told because I can't remember back that far, but when we went to Australia with our parents, and the wombat, you know, that's the local animal, so I just basically got called that, not because I look like a wombat, or maybe I do."