Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Before They Were Royals

It’s easy to see Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle as these untouchable Royal creatures of beauty, but not too long ago, they were just like us. Their relationship has always been somewhat of an enigma, but as they were both regular people before they married into the Royal family, they might have more in common than they think. Here are reminders that the Royal ladies used to be just like us, and at the core, probably still are.

1. We all remember graduation day, but seeing the now regal Kate Middleton graduating from university like a normal person feels really bizarre. She and Prince William both attended St. Andrews. Kate graduated with a degree in art history, whereas her husband studied geography. The two graduated from their alma mater at the same ceremony. This is one of the most dressed down versions of Kates we’ve ever seen.

2. You would certainly never expect the Duchess of Cambridge to drive herself around, but she did so here, and looked rather happy about it! Here she is escorting herself to her own 25th birthday party in 2007. We have a feeling that her birthday parties today look pretty different.

3. The very polished Middleton is seen in a variety of fancy and very expensive hats, but rare a cowboy hat. She looks more like Crocodile Dundee here than a member of the Royal family, but the look totally suits here. Here she is at the 2005 Gatcombe Park Festival of British Eventing.