Catherine, Princess of Wales, born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on January 9, 1982, became a senior member of the British Royal Family following her marriage to Prince William on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. Originally known as the Duchess of Cambridge, she assumed the title Princess of Wales in 2022, focusing her charitable work on children’s mental health, early childhood development, and addiction’s impact on families. Her extensive royal duties and personal background reveal additional fascinating details.
A journey from middle-class origins to royal prominence defines the life of Catherine, Princess of Wales, who transformed from Catherine Elizabeth Middleton into one of Britain’s most recognized public figures through her marriage to Prince William and subsequent role within the monarchy.
Born on January 9, 1982, in Reading, Berkshire, Catherine grew up as the eldest of three children to Michael and Carole Middleton, alongside siblings Philippa and James, experiencing early international exposure when the family lived in Amman, Jordan, from 1984 to 1986 during her father’s work assignment.
Catherine’s formative years included early global exposure through her family’s residence in Jordan during her father’s international work assignment.
The Middleton family’s financial stability stemmed from Party Pieces, a business founded by Catherine’s parents in 1987, while her lineage reflects diverse British social strata, with maternal ancestors working as coal miners and builders, contrasted by paternal connections to British aristocracy.
Catherine’s educational path demonstrated consistent achievement through St. Andrew’s School and Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she excelled academically and athletically, particularly captaining the field hockey team before pursuing higher education.
Following a gap year dedicated to travel and volunteer work abroad, Catherine enrolled at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she met Prince William in 2001 and subsequently graduated with an art history degree in 2005.
Her post-graduation career included roles as a part-time waitress, accessories buyer, and contributor to the family business before her engagement to Prince William was announced in November 2010 after years of intense public scrutiny.
The couple’s April 29, 2011, wedding at Westminster Abbey marked Catherine’s transformation into the Duchess of Cambridge, though she later assumed the Princess of Wales title in 2022, succeeding Princess Diana in this historic designation.
Catherine simultaneously holds the titles Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge, reflecting the complex hierarchical structure of British nobility.
As a full-time working royal since 2011, Catherine supports The King and Prince William through official engagements and international tours, representing the Royal Family domestically and abroad while maintaining consistently high approval ratings among the British public.
Her charitable focus centers on children’s mental health, early childhood development, and emotional wellbeing, with particular attention to addiction’s impact on families and children through various patronages spanning mental health, sports, and arts organizations. Through The Royal Foundation, she has developed programmes and charitable projects that collaborate with organizations making proven impact in their respective fields.
Catherine balances her public responsibilities with motherhood, raising three children who hold direct succession rights: Prince George, born 2013, Princess Charlotte, born 2015, and Prince Louis, born 2018.
The family maintains residence at Adelaide Cottage while Catherine pursues personal interests including tennis, sailing, and photography, frequently releasing official family portraits that demonstrate her behind-the-camera skills. The name Catherine derives from the Greek origin meaning pure, reflecting early Christian associations with Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
