Kate Middleton's Life Before Joining the Royal Family, in Pictures
Before Kate Middleton married Prince William, she was just a regular girl from Berkshire, England. The Duchess of Cambridge was born on Jan. 9, 1982, to parents Michael and Carole Middleton, and had a pretty normal upbringing. When Kate was only 2, her family moved to Amman, Jordan, for a few years as her father worked for British Airways, but she eventually returned to her hometown to study at various private schools, including St. Andrew's Prep School, Downe House, and Marlborough College. It wasn't until Kate attended the University of St. Andrews in 2001 that her whole world changed when she met William.
After living in the same residence hall during their first year, the two developed a close friendship and eventually started dating in 2003. Though their relationship had a few rocky moments, including their brief breakup in 2007, they eventually tied the knot in April 2011. Since becoming a member of the royal family, Kate's life has changed dramatically. Now, she's a mother of three kids, a patron of several royal charities, and the future queen of the UK. See her life before she became a royal in pictures ahead.
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1986
Four-year-old Kate, her father Michael, and younger sister Pippa posed for a photo in Jerash, Jordan.
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June 2005
Kate attended the wedding of Hugh Van Cutsem and Rose Astor in Burford, England.
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August 2005
Kate relaxed with friends as she attended the Festival of British Eventing in Stroud, England.
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May 2006
Kate was one of the many attendees at Laura Parker Bowles and Harry Lopes's wedding.
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June 2006
Kate greeted Lord Frederick Windsor as she attended a party at Bluebird in London.
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June 2006
Kate mingled with William's private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, as they watched William compete in the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match in Richmond, England.
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June 2006
Kate cut loose on the dance floor with Will's friend, Guy Pelly, at a pre-Wimbledon party in London.
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July 2006
Kate caught up with Harry's then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy and Zara Phillips as they attended the Tidworth Polo Club.
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July 2006
Kate and Chelsy Davy looked quite chummy as they attended a match at the Beaufort Polo Club.
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December 2006
Kate looked perfectly at ease as she attended the Sovereign's Parade with her family.
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February 2007
Kate had a fun night out with her sister Pippa at a London bar called Mahiki.
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February 2007
Kate, Will, and Harry were spotted cheering from the stands as they attended the RBS Six Nations Championship match.
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March 2007
Kate accompanied Will to the Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival in Cheltenham, England.
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March 2007
Kate looked quite cheery as she watched the Gold Cup horse race from the royal box.
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May 2007
Shortly after her breakup with William, Kate attended the Badminton Horse Trials with his close friend James Meade.
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May 2007
Kate brought along her sister Pippa as she attended a book launch for author Simon Sebag Montefiore.
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July 2007
Kate and Will appeared to be back together when she was spotted sitting a row behind him and Harry at a benefit concert in honor of Princess Diana at Wembley Stadium.
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July 2007
Kate took part in a training session with the Sisterhood Cross Channel rowing team.
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November 2007
Kate attended a book launch for Time To Reflect by photographer Alistair Morrison.
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March 2008
Kate got really animated as she attended the Gold Cup horse race at the Cheltenham Horse Racing Festival.
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April 2008
Kate looked like a proud girlfriend as she attended Will's graduation ceremony at RAF Cranwell.
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June 2008
Kate joined the royal family as they attended a service for the Most Noble Order.
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June 2008
Kate looked like she was enjoying herself as she attended the 46664 Concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela's life.
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July 2008
Kate was one of the many guests at Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman's wedding.
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September 2008
Kate caused a frenzy when she stepped out in yellow shorts for a midnight roller disco charity event.
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June 2009
Kate dressed casual in jeans and a leather jacket as she attended a charity polo match.
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August 2009
Kate got all dolled up for Nicholas Van Cutsem and Alice Hadden-Paton's wedding.
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January 2010
Kate and Will looked pretty cozy as they sat together during a RAF graduation ceremony.
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July 2010
Kate wore a green slip dress as she watched Will play in the Chakravarty Cup polo match.
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October 2010
Kate accompanied Will to Harry Meade and Rosie Bradford's wedding in Cheltenham, England.
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November 2010
Kate and Will announced their engagement to the world at St. James's Palace.
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December 2010
The engaged couple attended a Christmas reception in aid of the Teenager Cancer Trust.
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February 2011
Kate and Will looked head over heels as they made an official royal appearance together at the Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station in Wales.
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February 2011
Kate and Will were grinning from ear to ear as they visited the place where their love began, the University of St. Andrews.
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March 2011
Kate looked at ease as she greeted royal admirers while visiting Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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April 2011
Kate and Will were totally in sync as they visited Witton Country Park.
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April 2011
Kate waved at onlookers as she arrived at the Goring Hotel ahead of her wedding.
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April 2011
Kate and Will looked picture-perfect as they stepped out of Westminster Abbey following their wedding.