Long before they were the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate were just two young royals in love—and their favorite London hotspot was the now-legendary nightclub, Boujis.
Located in South Kensington, Boujis was the go-to club for the elite in the early 2000s, drawing everyone from A-listers to aristocrats. It was also the backdrop for one of William and Kate’s earliest public dates, according to the club’s former owners, Carlo Carello and Jake Parkinson-Smith.
“Kate and Will did love their Crackbabies,” Carlo said. “Their first date at Boujis—that I can say. They say it was their first public outing.”
Jake confirmed the memory, adding, “We were all there,” of the royal couple’s now-iconic night.
For the uninitiated, the infamous Crackbaby shot—made from passion fruit, vodka, Chambord, and champagne—became a staple at Boujis, known for fueling its electric, star-studded Tuesday nights. The drink even inspired a show-stopping version called the Faboujis Egg, served in an ice sculpture shaped like a giant egg.
Kate Middleton, then 25, was often spotted leaving the club with sister Pippa during the height of her party-girl era, especially around her temporary split from William in 2007. Dressed in dazzling minidresses, she epitomized early 2000s glam.
Boujis wasn’t just a royal favorite. Everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio and Rihanna to Will Smith and his son Jaden danced the night away there. Lady Gaga once dropped by after a London show and even asked to perform, emerging from her car in a white leotard and sunglasses for what Carlo described as “that picture-perfect moment as a nightclub owner.”
But the party came to an end in 2016 after a brawl led to the closure of the venue. Since then, the Boujis legacy has lived on through new ventures by its founders, including B London, and most recently, Gallery—a new club that opened on March 27 on the former site of Mahiki, another iconic London haunt.
The launch of Gallery drew a glittering guest list including Kate Moss, Harry Styles, Poppy Delevingne, Stormzy, Timothée Chalamet, and singer Benson Boone. Though Carlo and Jake haven’t confirmed if any royals will be stopping by, with Kensington Palace just around the corner, it wouldn’t be a surprise. “We were very lucky to be on their doorstep and saw them drive past on a daily basis… a little wave,” Jake recalled fondly.
As for the drinks menu at Gallery, Carlo teased a playful nod to Boujis’ flair: “At the moment we’re looking at drinks that come out of giant watermelons.” And for those looking to splurge? The most expensive item on the menu is a £10,000 bottle of champagne.
With its high-profile pedigree and wild legacy, Gallery might just become the next stage for another royal love story—or at the very least, a memorable night out.
