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Early Life and Family

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born on 9 January 1982 in Reading, Berkshire, to Carole (nee Goldsmith) and Michael Middleton. She grew up primarily in Bucklebury, a village in Berkshire, alongside her younger sister, Philippa (Pippa), and her brother, James. Her parents built a mail-order and e-commerce party supplies company, Party Pieces, which became an important part of the family story and introduced their children to the practicalities of small business, marketing, and hands-on work. Between 1984 and 1986 the family lived in Amman, Jordan, where Catherine attended a local nursery and experienced life abroad at a young age.

Education

Catherine attended St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, where she participated in sport, music, and outdoor activities. She spent a brief period at Downe House before moving to Marlborough College, a coeducational boarding school where she played field hockey and excelled academically. In 2001 she enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, to study history of art. She graduated in 2005 with a master of arts (MA, as styled in Scotland), earning a 2:1.

University Years and Relationship with Prince William

At St Andrews, Catherine met Prince William, then second in line to the throne, who was studying geography. Their friendship developed within a close-knit circle of students and housemates and gradually became a relationship known to the public after they were photographed on a skiing holiday in 2004. The pair briefly separated in 2007 before reconciling later that year, a period that unfolded under intense media attention. Throughout their courtship Catherine maintained work in the private sector, notably as an accessories buyer at the retailer Jigsaw and in roles linked to Party Pieces, while learning to navigate the scrutiny that came with dating a future king.

Engagement and Marriage

Prince William proposed in October 2010 during a trip to Kenya, presenting Catherine with the sapphire and diamond engagement ring that had belonged to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Their engagement was announced in November 2010. On 29 April 2011 they were married at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched around the world. Upon marriage she became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, and in Scotland the Countess of Strathearn. The wedding, attended by members of both families including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, King Charles (then Prince of Wales), and Prince Harry, solidified her role within the modern royal family.

Residences and Early Married Life

After the wedding, the couple lived on Anglesey in North Wales while Prince William served as an RAF search and rescue pilot. They later established a home at Kensington Palace in London and a country residence, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. During the period when William worked with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the family divided time between Norfolk and London, balancing royal duties with a relatively private domestic life.

Roles, Titles, and Transition to Princess of Wales

Catherine quickly took on official duties, conducting engagements across the United Kingdom and abroad. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 and the accession of King Charles III, Prince William was created Prince of Wales, and Catherine became The Princess of Wales. In Scotland she is known as the Duchess of Rothesay. She also became Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2022, a ceremonial military role that reflects her growing responsibilities. Earlier, in 2015, she was appointed Honorary Air Commandant of the Air Cadets. In 2019 she was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her service.

Charitable Focus and Initiatives

Catherine's public work has centered on early childhood, mental health, the arts, and sport. She helped launch Heads Together with Prince William and Prince Harry to change the national conversation on mental health, and has supported the crisis text line Shout through The Royal Foundation. In 2021 she established The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, highlighting the science and policy importance of the first five years of life. She led the 5 Big Questions survey to gather views from parents and caregivers, and in 2023 spearheaded the Shaping Us campaign to raise public awareness about early development.

In the arts, Catherine has served as Patron of the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and in 2020 curated Hold Still, a community photography project that captured life during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also supported East Anglia's Children's Hospices and, following the merger of Action on Addiction into The Forward Trust, championed work addressing addiction and its impact on families. Known for a lifelong interest in nature and outdoor play, she co-designed a family-friendly garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2019 to promote the benefits of time spent in green spaces.

Sport and Public Engagement

A keen sportswoman, Catherine has long supported initiatives that promote physical and mental well-being through sport. After Queen Elizabeth II stepped back from many patronages, Catherine became Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, a visible role each year at Wimbledon. In 2022 she was named Patron of both the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League. Her engagements often spotlight grassroots clubs, school programs, and inclusive sport.

Family Life

Catherine and Prince William have three children: Prince George of Wales (born 22 July 2013), Princess Charlotte of Wales (born 2 May 2015), and Prince Louis of Wales (born 23 April 2018). All three were born at St Mary's Hospital in London. Catherine experienced hyperemesis gravidarum during her pregnancies, which led to some curtailed engagements but also opened conversations about maternal health. The family has balanced education and royal tradition with an emphasis on normal childhood experiences, attending school in the Windsor area after the family moved to Adelaide Cottage in 2022. Grandparents and extended family remain meaningful influences, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the royal side, and Carole and Michael Middleton, who have been regularly present in their grandchildren's lives.

Media, Privacy, and Public Image

From her university years, Catherine has navigated intense media interest. She and Prince William have advocated for responsible press conduct, particularly around the privacy of children. In 2012, unauthorized photographs taken during a private holiday sparked legal action in France that resulted in damages awarded in 2017. Over time, Catherine has cultivated a public image of poise, diligence, and empathy, using fashion and photography to support British designers and to communicate causes in a modern, visual way.

Health and Recent Developments

In January 2024 Kensington Palace announced that Catherine had undergone major abdominal surgery. In March 2024 she shared that post-operative tests had found cancer and that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. The personal message, released to provide clarity and protect space for her family, was widely noted for its candor and composure. During treatment she stepped back from public duties while continuing to support her core work from home as health allowed, with Prince William and other members of the royal family taking on additional public-facing responsibilities.

Legacy and Influence

As The Princess of Wales, Catherine has become a central figure in the United Kingdom's public life, working alongside Prince William to shape the evolving role of the monarchy under King Charles III. Her emphasis on early childhood development, mental health, and community-based action reflects a strategy of long-term, preventative impact. Through a combination of high-profile patronages and sustained, research-led initiatives, she has used her platform to connect science, policy, and everyday family life, while maintaining a close partnership with the most important people around her: her husband, their children, and the wider families that support them.