Nathaniel Archibald was born to Howard Archibald, a successful business magnate, and Anne Archibald, a member of the Vanderbilt family. On the surface, Nate seems to be the perfect "Golden Boy" of the Upper East Side. Nate is best friends with Chuck Bass, with whom he attends the elite St. Jude's School for Boys and shares a deep friendship. Nate has been with girlfriend Blair Waldorf "since kindergarten". However, ever since childhood he secretly harbors feelings for Blair's best friend, Serena van der Woodsen who he believes is breathtakingly beautiful but insecure, with whom he shared a sordid one night stand before her departure. Nate's feelings for Blair are complicated by his ongoing infatuation with Serena and his parents' determination to keep him on a certain path.