Catherine Middleton: From Working Class to Royalty

Imagine growing up as a commoner (which is not that difficult for most of us to do) and marrying into royalty (a little harder to imagine). That is, in short, the life of Catherine (Kate) Middleton, now Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.

She was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on January 9, 1982, in Reading, Berkshire, England, to a pilot -- Michael -- and flight attendant, Carole Middleton. She was the first of three children; her younger siblings are Philippa and James Middleton. They were very much "working class".

From rags to riches

But when Kate's mother founded her own business, which took off quickly, the children were sent to private boarding schools. Kate did well in school, despite being teased and bullied, and was the first in her family to attend college. She enrolled in the University of St Andrews, Fife -- and that is where she met her Prince.

During her first year of university, she was placed in the same building as Prince William of Wales. Upon sharing several classes together, the two became friends, walking to class together and having breakfast. Most of us can only dream of chumming it up with royalty.

Surprisingly, the two were not romantically interested in each other at first, being in different places in their lives. But when Kate split with her boyfriend, she and Will naturally began dating in 2003 -- and that was just the beginning of their relationship.

The years that followed groomed Kate for the life of a monarch. As one can imagine, there is a lot of social etiquette to learn while dating royalty.

A royal engagement

Finally, after a brief hiatus in 2007, the two were engaged on November 16, 2010. Will proposed with his late mother's ring; he is the first in a long line of monarchs to marry a commoner in 350 years. And the rest, you probably know, thanks to all the wedding news coverage.

On April 29, 2011, William and Catherine married at Westminster Abbey, in London with a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony that was shared with the world. After so many years of dating and making it through having their relationship scrutinized by the press, they are obviously completely in love.

Kate deserves a lot of credit for remaining poised, yet letting her true happiness shine through, while millions of people watched this life-changing event.

What's next?

The main job of a princess is to support her husband, the monarch. She will be expected to participate in ceremonial events, to promote her country abroad and even to adopt various charitable causes. But most importantly, the princess should provide children to be heirs to the throne (although there is not as much pressure today as there once was).

The fishbowl existence may seem exhausting to some, but there is no doubt Kate can handle it, all while living a happy, fulfilling life.

Sources:
Kate Middleton Biography
Biography Online
What Does a Princess Do?