Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Kate Middleton

We look to Princess Catherine for style tips, parenting techniques and all the hair inspo (anyone else obsessed with those intricate updos?). But way before she took on the title of Duchess of Cambridge (and now Princess of Wales), Kate Middleton’s life was quite different.

The London native led a normal life as part of an upper-middle-class family, studying psychology and art history as she developed a passion for charity work. The royal even demonstrated a natural talent for sports, breaking a record at St. Andrew's School's track and field event (which, FYI, still stands today). But the princess's life took a turn after she met her future husband, Prince William.

While discussing her thoughts on joining the royal family in 2010, shortly after her engagement, she candidly told British journalist Tom Bradby, “It’s quite a daunting prospect but hopefully I’ll take it in my stride. William’s a great teacher, so hopefully he’ll be able to help me along the way, and I really look forward to spending my time with William.”

More than a decade later, the proud mom and future Queen Consort is radiating confidence as she successfully juggles multiple royal engagements—and captures stunning portraits while she's at it.

Keep reading for the latest on Princess Catherine.

Fast Facts

• Official Royal Title: Catherine, Princess of Wales
• Hometown: Reading, Berkshire, England
• Birthday: January 9, 1982
• Spouse: William, Prince of Wales
• Children: Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales
• Star Sign: Capricorn

Early Life

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born to Michael and Carole Middleton in 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. The princess is the eldest of three, including Philippa ("Pippa") and James, and when she was just 2 years old, she and her family moved to Amman in Jordan, where she attended nursery school. Then, in 1986, the family returned to West Berkshire, where Middleton attended St. Andrew’s School.

I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun and I'm very lucky I come from a very strong family.

Kate Middleton

Her Royal Highness has opened up about enjoying her childhood, thanks to her supportive family. When she appeared on Giovanna Fletcher's podcast, Happy Mum, Happy Baby, she said, "I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun and I'm very lucky I come from a very strong family. My parents were hugely dedicated. I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us. They came to every sports match, they'd be the ones on the sideline shouting, and we'd always have our family holidays together."

After St. Andrew’s School, Middleton went on to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she studied Chemistry, Biology and Art. She also served as captain of the women's field hockey team, and after taking a gap year to travel to Italy and Chile, Middleton enrolled at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland to study art history. During her time there, she developed her passion for philanthropy, joining The Lumsden Club to support women and children's charities and the arts. More importantly though, the University of St. Andrews was where she met her future husband, Prince William.

Introduction to the Royal Family

Though the pair officially started dating in 2003, they first met in 2001, while they were students in residence at St Salvator's Hall at the University of St Andrews. According to Royal writer Katie Nicholl, the prince made his first move in 2002, after spotting Middleton in a charity fashion show, where she modeled the famous see-through lace dress.

A mutual friend who attended the afterparty told Nicholl, "He actually told her she was a knockout that night, which caused her to blush. There was definitely chemistry between them, and Kate had really made an impression on William. She played it very cool."

Shortly after, the two started a relationship, briefly splitting up in 2007. But after two months apart, they rekindled their romance. In 2010, the prince popped the question during their getaway to Mount Kenya in Africa. And on April 29, 2011 they tied the knot at Westminster Abbey—a televised ceremony that garnered 162 million viewers worldwide.

The prince and princess have since welcomed three children: Prince George, who was born in July 2013, Princess Charlotte, born May 2015 and Prince Louis, born April 2018. You've likely spotted the trio with their parents at royal events, and they occasionally pop up on their parents' social media.

Royal Endeavors

As you may have noticed from countless news headlines, Middleton stays busy with royal engagements. Among her most notable appearances include the late queen’s Platinum Jubilee, King Charles's Trooping the Colour parade and her surprise appearance at Wimbledon, which marked her return to the spotlight after a brief hiatus.

Her Majesty is now the patron of more than 20 organizations, according to the royal family's official website. These include the Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union, the Foundling Museum, Action for Children and the Royal Photographic Society. And as you may have noticed with her charity work, the mother of three is quite passionate about mental health and raising awareness about the importance of early childhood development. (Talk about a royal role model.)

In addition to balancing her many patronages, Middleton has also proven her natural talent as a photographer. In fact, she has captured quite a few family milestones, including Prince George's first day of nursery school and Princess Charlotte’s second birthday.

Personal Life

In March 2024, the princess shocked the world with a heartbreaking health announcement. On Instagram, she released a video confirming that she had been diagnosed with cancer. In the footage, she explained, “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.”

As a result, Middleton temporarily stepped back from the spotlight and underwent a course of preventative chemotherapy. Fortunately, she has since completed her treatments and is now back to performing her royal duties. To mark the end of her treatments, she shared a heartwarming video with her family and said,  “Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

As for the princess's romantic life, Middleton previously dated four men before she met her prince charming, according to Hello! magazine. First, prior to her gap year in 2001, she dated her Marlborough College classmate, Harry Blakelock, and he was considered her "first love." She also dated Willem Marx (now a London-based journalist) during her time at Marlborough.

When she started attending St. Andrews, Middleton had a relationship with Rupert Finch during his fourth year of studying, but they reportedly broke up after less than a year together. Also, when Middleton and Prince William briefly split in 2007, she was romantically linked to Henry Ropner.

Family & Children

Middleton's husband, Prince William, is the heir apparent to the British throne, founder of the Earthshot Prize initiative and patron of over 30 charities and military organizations. He is also an advocate for the homeless, which prompted him to partner with The Royal Foundation and launch the charity Homewards.

The future king has carried out several public and official duties alongside his wife, and quite a few of these events included their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis (better known as the master of meme-worthy facial expressions). For instance, the family made several headlines after attending King Charles’s annual birthday parade, which also marked Middleton's return to her royal duties following her cancer diagnosis. And Kensington Palace shared a heartwarming behind-the-scenes video of Middleton interacting with her kids.

Becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience.

Kate Middleton

While delivering a speech at a charity event organized by Best Beginnings in 2017, she shared her candid thoughts on motherhood. She said, per Vogue, “Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge. Even for me, who has support at home that most mothers do not. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer, overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother. It’s full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together.”

Personal Style 

After joining the royal family, the Princess of Wales went through quite the style evolution, opting for bold power suits, polka-dot dresses and stunning monochromatic ensembles. Her style is timeless and elegant—and she doesn't shy away from statement pieces, whether it's a dazzling piece of jewelry or a bold coat. Alessandra Rich, LK Bennett, Emilia Wickstead and Gianvito Rossi are just a few of her go-to brands.