Kate Middleton Turns 29 on January 9! (Slideshow and Links)

In just a few short days, Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton, fiancée of Prince William, will celebrate her 29^th birthday. Middleton was born January 9, 1982 in Reading, Berkshire and will marry Prince William this upcoming April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

See People's Slideshow of Kate here.

Middleton met the Prince, (whose own birthday is June 21, 1982) while she was a student at the University of St. Andrews, located in Fife, in 2001. According to her fan website (click here), although Middleton met the Prince in 2001 she was just friends with him until 2003 after she broke up with her then boyfriend.

Middleton is the oldest of three children born to Michael and Carole Middleton who created a company called "Party Pieces" which has brought them millionaire status. Her younger siblings are a sister, Philippa "Pippa", and a brother named James.

She graduated with Honors in the History of Art from the University of St. Andrews, and fashion is Kate's true love. In fact, she has landed on several "best dressed" lists and according to her fan site would like to create a clothing organization in which she designs the clothes.

Obviously, Kate Middleton has received tons of press for her relationship with the Prince, but with the November announcement of their upcoming wedding, even more scores of material have been published about her.

With her connection to the Prince, who is second in the line of succession to be the king to the thrones of 16 states, Kate has become a household name. Although quietly photographed for nearly nine years next to the Prince, Middleton has now been given a voice of her own.

And as the wedding date of April 29 approaches, chances are the world will know even more about Prince William's wife-to-be.

Click here to view ABC news video about Middleton.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Middleton, http://www.katemiddletonfans.com/, http://www.people.com/people/kate_middleton/photos#20891813 , http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/kate-middleton-spotlight-world-princess-waiting/story?id=12169325