Kate and William return to St Andrews

Prince William and Kate Middleton, accompanied by Sir Menzies Campbell (right), during a visit to St Andrews University. 

Prince William and his fiancee, Kate Middleton, have returned to the Scottish university where they first met to launch its 600th anniversary celebrations.

The event at the University of St Andrews was the couple's first official engagement in Scotland and followed a visit on Thursday to Anglesey, north Wales.

Their romance blossomed when they were students there between 2001 and 2005. To mark their wedding the university announced it would establish a £70,000 scholarship open to applicants of all nationalities.

A flypast by three aircraft from RAF Leuchars and a choir performance helped mark the institution's 600th anniversary. Prince William and Middleton met staff and students before unveiling a plaque. They also viewed the Papal Bull, a historic document issued by Pope Benedict XIII to found the university in the 15th century.

Prince William addressed 600 students and staff as patron of the university's 600th anniversary appeal.

Later, the couple spent half an hour speaking to members of the public.

Abigail Pearson, a 22-year-old student from Staffordshire said she had offered her best wishes to Middleton for her wedding. "She [Kate] replied 'Thank you so much, it does feel a little weird coming back here but it is very nice'," she said.

Alice Dow, 75, who was born in St Andrews, stood for several hours in cold, blustery conditions to see the royal visitors. She said the town was proud to have a link with them.

In a speech, Louise Richardson, principal and vice-chancellor of St Andrews, said the university wished them "a life of love, health and happiness together".

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