Catherine, Princess of Wales

Catherine, Princess of Wales, was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on 9 January 1982. She is a member of the British royal family and is married to William, Prince of Wales, the heir apparent to the British throne. Catherine grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, after being born in Reading. She studied art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she met Prince William in 2001.

Catherine and William married at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011, and she became the Duchess of Cambridge. They have three children: George, Charlotte, and Louis. In 2022, when William became Prince of Wales, she became the Princess of Wales.

As a member of the royal family, Catherine has taken part in many important duties and visits both in the United Kingdom and around the world. She supports many charities, especially those that help young children, support people with addiction, and promote the arts. She also works to raise awareness about mental health and has helped create campaigns to discuss these important topics openly.

Catherine has become known for her style of dress, often influencing fashion trends. She has been recognized for her influence and was named one of Time's most influential people in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Despite much attention from the media, Catherine has worked to maintain a private family life while continuing her public duties.

Early life and education

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. Her parents, Michael Middleton and Carole Middleton, worked for British Airways. She grew up with her two younger siblings, Philippa ("Pippa") and James.

Catherine attended several schools, including St Andrew's School and Marlborough College, where she played sports and earned a gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. After taking a gap year to study in Florence and travel, she went to the University of St Andrews, where she studied art history and graduated in 2005.

Personal life

Catherine, Princess of Wales, was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. She grew up in a quiet village called Bucklebury.

She met Prince William while they were both students at university. They started dating a couple of years later and lived together in different homes over the years. After some time apart, they got back together and eventually decided to get married.

The couple got engaged in 2010 and married in a big ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 2011. They have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The family has lived in several homes, including a cottage in Wales and apartments in London.

In early 2024, Catherine had surgery for a health issue. She later shared that she had been treated for cancer and was now feeling better. She returned to public duties and continued her work supporting others.

Duchess of Cambridge

Catherine, Princess of Wales, began appearing in public with her husband, William, Prince of Wales, in 2010 after their engagement. Their first official event together was a fundraiser for a cancer charity. In 2011, they met the President and First Lady of the United States during an official visit. Catherine gave her first public speech in 2012 at a children's hospice she supports. She and William have also been ambassadors for major events like the Olympics and the Queen’s celebrations.

The couple has traveled to many countries on official visits. In 2011, they went to Canada and the United States. In 2012, they visited several Commonwealth countries. They have also traveled to Australia, New Zealand, France, India, Pakistan, and many others. These visits often include meetings with leaders, school visits, and events supporting important causes. In 2022, their tour of Belize, The Bahamas, and Jamaica included discussions about historical issues important to those countries.

Princess of Wales

In September 2022, Catherine and William visited Anglesey and Swansea for their first trip to Wales after becoming Princess and Prince of Wales. Later that year, they went to Boston for their first overseas trip as a couple, attending the Earthshot Prize. In February 2023, they visited Falmouth, their first trip to Cornwall with their new titles. In October 2023, they spoke out against attacks in Israel. During a visit to the United States in September 2025, Catherine and First Lady Melania Trump met with Scouts at Frogmore Gardens. In May 2026, Catherine traveled to Reggio Emilia for work on early childhood development, her first overseas trip since late 2022.

Charity work

Further information: Royal Foundation

Catherine has been involved in helping others since before she married Prince William. She supports many different causes. In 2007, she helped start a photo show to raise money for children in need. In 2008, she visited a special home for children who are very sick and also helped organize a fun dance event that collected money for a children’s hospital and a group that helps families with emotional problems.

After marrying William, Catherine started working more closely with the royal family to help support good causes. In 2011, she and William created a special fund so people could give money to charities instead of giving wedding gifts. This fund later became known as The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.

Catherine’s work focuses on helping young children, people with emotional and health problems, sports, art, and many other areas. She has helped start many projects and supports groups that work with children who are poor or have problems. She is also interested in helping people stay healthy and has supported groups that help families dealing with problems like addiction.

Catherine loves sports and often watches and supports events like Wimbledon. She has helped start programs to teach young people how to become sports coaches and has supported groups that help children connect with nature.

She has also helped groups that support people in the military and their families. Catherine has written about life for families in the military and visited bases to show her support.

Catherine has done a lot of work to help people who are sick, especially children. She has visited hospitals and supported groups that help children who are very ill. She has also helped start projects to support people recovering from addiction and has given money to groups that help families.

Catherine enjoys taking photos and has taken pictures of her children and other members of the royal family. She has helped organize photo shows to support young people and to remember important historical events.

Since 2021, Catherine has hosted a special Christmas carol service each year, bringing people together for a good cause. She has also helped support people affected by natural disasters by giving money to help them.

Catherine cares about taking care of our planet and has designed gardens to show how important nature is. She has hosted events for children to learn about gardening and the importance of being outside.

Catherine has talked about the importance of taking care of our minds and feelings. She has visited hospitals and talked about how important it is for children to have good mental health. She has started projects to help families talk about their feelings and to support people who are struggling with their minds. She has also helped create resources for schools to support children’s mental health.

Catherine believes the first few years of a child’s life are very important. She has started projects to help parents and children during these early years. She has created surveys and campaigns to raise awareness about how important early childhood is and has worked with experts to support families with young children.

Public image

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is known for her great sense of style and has appeared on many "best-dressed" lists. She has been on the cover of British Vogue and has been called one of the best-dressed people in Britain. Her fashion choices often include designs by well-known designers.

Many people think Catherine helps make the royal family more liked by the public. She is seen as someone who mixes modern ideas with royal traditions. She has been listed among the most influential people in the world by Time magazine and has been very popular in public opinion polls. In 2025, she was recognized for her work in supporting health awareness, and a special rose was named after her to help a hospital.

Privacy and the media

The death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 while being followed by photographers has influenced how Catherine and William approach the media. They have often asked for privacy when they are not officially working.

Over the years, Catherine has faced many stories in the news and photos taken without permission. This included times when her phone was accessed without her knowing, and photos were published from private moments. In 2012, some magazines published photos of her without her consent, and she and William took legal action to protect her privacy. Sadly, in 2012, a nurse who was involved in a call made by radio hosts later passed away, which led to public criticism of the media. The royal family has continued to ask for respect and has taken steps to protect Catherine and her children from being followed or photographed during private moments.

Titles, styles, and honours

Further information: List of titles and honours of Catherine, Princess of Wales

Titles and styles

When Catherine married in April 2011, she became a Princess of the United Kingdom and also the Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, and Baroness Carrickfergus. She was called "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge", except in Scotland where she was known as "Her Royal Highness The Countess of Strathearn".

After Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022, Catherine’s father-in-law became King Charles III. She then became the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Rothesay. Soon after, the King announced that her husband, William, would be the Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, making Catherine the Princess of Wales and Countess of Chester. Since then, she has been known as "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales" and as "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay" in Scotland.

Honours

Catherine holds several important honours, including being a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, a Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour, and a recipient of the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II and the Royal Family Order of Charles III.

Ancestry

Further information: Middleton family

Catherine's father, Michael, comes from a family with noble connections. His grandmother was closely related to a baron, and some of Catherine's ancestors lived in a grand estate called Potternewton Hall. They were part of families who were invited to important royal events.

On her mother's side, Catherine's family were workers and miners from areas near Sunderland and County Durham. Some of these ancestors were linked to royal history as well.