Joining the royal family through marriage, Kate Middleton has lived a dazzling real-life Cinderella story. Ever since stepping into the spotlight as the girlfriend of Prince William, she has been a media darling with style, grace, and beauty.
Here are a few things you might not know about Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Kate Middleton Facts
26. From the Friendly Skies
She was born in Reading, England in 1982 to Michael and Carole Middleton, a pilot and an airlines stewardess respectively.
25. Amman to Remember
While her father worked for British Airways, Middleton lived in Amman, Jordan for a few years in the mid 80s.
24. Renaissance Woman
Middleton excelled at sports, enjoying tennis, (field) hockey, and netball, which is a British mash-up of basketball and volleyball.
23. Baked
The Duchess enjoys cooking and is a big fan of “Great British Bake Off” star Mary Berry.
22. If the Shoe Fits
She is 5’9” and has a shoe size of 8.5. Luckily, she probably has a team of seamstresses and cobblers to custom make everything for her.
21. College Sweethearts
She met Prince William in 2001 when they were both students in residence at St. Salvator’s Hall at the University of St. Andrews.
20. He Likes Older Women
Kate is six months older than Prince William.
19. Masterful
Middleton graduated with a Masters of Arts from the University of St. Andrews.
18. Triple Threat
As part of the royal family, she holds three titles: Duchess of Cambridge in England, Countess of Strathearn in Scotland, and Baroness Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland.
17. A Piece of the Puzzle
Before marrying into the royal family, she worked in London as a part-time buyer for the clothing company Jigsaw Junior.
16. Fitting
The couple’s first official event together after getting engaged was the launch of a Royal Navy lifeboat in Trearddur Bay, Wales.
15. Scene Stealer
Middleton’s sister, Pippa, received quite a bit of attention on Kate’s wedding day on account of a plunging neckline and an oft-complimented backside.
14. Future Kings and Queens
Her two children, George and Charlotte are third and fourth, respectively, in line to the British throne.
13. Strike a Pose
In June 2016, she consented to her first magazine shoot ever, doing a 10-page spread for Vogue.
Getty Images12. Gotta Catch Them All!
Her wedding to Prince William spawned a whole new range of royal memorabilia including Kate and William tea bags, dolls, and even pizza.
11. Pedal to the Metal
The royal couple received a tandem bike as a wedding gift from former Mayor of London and England’s answer to Back to the Future’s Biff, Boris Johnson.
10. The Kids Are Alright
Middleton is the patron of several charities most of which focus on children’s welfare. Won’t someone think of the children?! Kate will. Kate will think of the children.
9. Picture Perfect
She is a fan of photography and took catalogue pictures for her family’s mail order business before becoming royalty.
8. The Clothes Make the Woman
She has high standards for fashion and wore more than 25 outfits during her tour of Canada and Los Angeles in July 2011. This gave birth to a phenomenon known as ‘ the Middleton effect’ where anything she was seen wearing would be sold out of every store that sells that item.
7. Hopes Kardashed!
In her never-ending quest for fame and attention, Kim Kardashian sent Kate Middleton clothing from her own line in the hopes she would wear them to an event with the Queen. Middleton politely sent the clothes back.
6. Shoo!
For Kate’s 30th birthday, Kim designed a shoe and called it “The Duchess.”
5. Paint by Numbers
The Duchess’ first official portrait was unveiled by artist Paul Emsley at the National Portrait gallery in January of 2013.
4. Time after Time
She has twice been named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in the world in 2012 and 2013.
3. Party Time
In 1987, her parents founded Party Pieces, a mail order private company that sells party supplies and decorations with an estimated worth of £30 million.
2. Nice Hat
On her wedding day in 2011, she wore Queen Elizabeth II’s tiara. It was named Halo Scroll Tiara and was made by Cartier in 1936, gifted to Princess Elizabeth by The Queen Mother on her 18th birthday in 1944.
1. Say Yes to the Dress
Middleton’s wedding dress featured a 9 foot long train, hand embroidered lace flowers, and the envy of every woman on the planet.
