“The Future Queen: What Kate Middleton’s Leadership Means for the British Monarchy”…see more

Born in Reading, Catherine grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

She was educated at St Andrew’s School and Marlborough College before earning a degree in art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she met Prince William in 2001 and graduated in 2005.

She held several jobs and pursued charity work before their engagement was announced in November 2010. She became Duchess of Cambridge by her marriage on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. The couple have three children: George, Charlotte, and Louis.

Following her marriage, Catherine has undertaken royal duties and commitments in support of the British monarch.

She has represented the royal family on official overseas tours and has played a significant role in various charitable activities by undertaking projects through the Royal Foundation, with her charity work primarily focusing on issues surrounding early childhood care, addiction, and art.

Catherine holds patronage with over 20 charitable and military organisations including the Anna Freud Centre, Action for Children, SportsAid, and the National Portrait Gallery.

To encourage people to discuss their mental health problems, she envisioned the mental health awareness campaign Heads Together, which she launched with her husband William and brother-in-law Harry in April 2016.

Catherine’s relationship with the media has been closely scrutinised, particularly regarding her efforts to maintain privacy amidst significant media attention and public interest.

The media have referred to her impact on British and American fashion as the “Kate Middleton effect”.

Time listed her as one of the most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

On 9 September 2022, she became Princess of Wales when William was created Prince of Wales by his father, King Charles III.