Duration: 0:49

987 views

38

Catherine, Princess of Wales GCVO (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton; 9 January 1982[1]) is a member of the British royal family. She is married to William, Prince of Wales, the heir apparent to the British throne, making her likely the next queen consort.

Catherine
Princess of Wales (more)
Catherine, Princess of Wales in 2022 (cropped).jpg
Catherine in 2022
Born
Catherine Elizabeth Middleton
9 January 1982 (age 41)
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, Berkshire, England
Spouse
William, Prince of Wales
​
​(m. 2011)​
Issue
Prince George of Wales
Princess Charlotte of Wales
Prince Louis of Wales
House
Windsor (by marriage)
Father
Michael Middleton
Mother
Carole Goldsmith
Alma mater
Marlborough College
British Institute of Florence
University of St Andrews (MA Hons)
Signature
CatherineSignature.svg
Born in Reading, Catherine grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire. She was educated at St Andrew's School and Marlborough College before studying art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she met Prince William in 2001. She held several jobs in retail and marketing and pursued charity work before their engagement was announced in November 2010. They married on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. The couple's three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are second, third, and fourth respectively in the line of succession to the British throne.

Catherine holds patronage with over 20 charitable and military organisations including Action for Children, SportsAid, and the National Portrait Gallery.[2] She undertakes projects through the Royal Foundation, with her charity work focusing on issues surrounding early childhood care, addiction, and art. To encourage people to discuss their mental health problems. Catherine envisioned the mental health awareness campaign Heads Together, launched with her husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry in April 2016. The media have called Catherine's impact on British and American fashion the "Kate Middleton effect". Time listed her as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and as a finalist in 2018. On 9 September 2022, she became Princess of Wales when her husband was created Prince of Wales by his father, King Charles III.[3]

Early life, education and career

Personal life

Pre-wedding relationship with Prince William

With Prince Harry (left) at William's Order of the Garter investiture, 2008
In 2001, Middleton met Prince William while they were students in residence at St Salvator's Hall at the University of St Andrews.[59][a] She reportedly caught William's eye at a charity fashion show at the university in 2002 when she appeared on the stage wearing a see through lace dress.[61] The couple reportedly began dating in 2003.[62] During their second year, Middleton shared a flat with William and two other friends.[63] From 2003 to 2005, they both resided at Balgove House on the Strathtyrum estate with two roommates.[64][65] In 2004, the couple briefly split but continued their relationship soon afterwards.[66]

After her graduation, Middleton and her family were faced with intensive tabloid press scrutiny.[67][68][69] She was often photographed daily by the paparazzi outside her flat and work over the course of their relationship.[67][70][71] This prompted multiple warnings from the Palace and Middleton's lawyers.[70][71] She attended William's Passing Out Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 15 December 2006.[72][73] In April 2007, they ended their relationship.[74] She and her family attended the Concert for Diana in July 2007,[63] where she and William sat two rows apart. It was subsequently reported that the couple had reconciled.[75] On 17 May 2008, Middleton attended the wedding of William's cousin Peter Phillips to Autumn Kelly in William's stead, and met Queen Elizabeth II for the first time.[76][77]

Middleton attended the Order of the Garter procession at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made a Royal Knight of the Garter.[78] On 19 July 2008, she was a guest at the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman. William was away on military operations in the Caribbean, serving aboard HMS Iron Duke.[79] In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on the Bodorgan Estate in Anglesey, Wales, where William resided during his RAF search-and-rescue training and subsequent career.[80][81][82]

Marriage and children
Further information: Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Wedding dress of Catherine Middleton, and Engagement dress of Catherine Middleton

Middleton and Prince William became engaged in October 2010, in Kenya, during a 10-day trip to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to celebrate William passing the RAF helicopter search and rescue course.[83][84] Clarence House announced the engagement on 16 November 2010.[85][83][86] William gave Middleton the engagement ring that had belonged to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.