Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, now known as The Duchess of Cambridge, was born to Michael and Carole Middleton at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, on 9th January 1982. The Duchess is the eldest of three children.

Her Royal Highness was christened at the parish church of St. Andrew’s Bradfield in Berkshire on 20th June 1982.

In May 1984, at the age of two, The Duchess moved with her family to Amman in Jordan, where her father worked for two and a half years. Her Royal Highness attended a nursery school in Amman from the age of three.

In September 1986, the Middletons returned to their home in West Berkshire, and The Duchess started at St. Andrew’s School in Pangbourne, where she remained until July 1995. Her Royal Highness went on to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she studied Chemistry, Biology and Art at A-level. The Duchess also took part in sport on behalf of the school, playing tennis, hockey and netball and participating in athletics, particularly high jump. Her Royal Highness completed her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award at Marlborough.

Leaving Marlborough College in July 2000, The Duchess undertook a gap year in which she studied at the British Institute in Florence, undertook a Raleigh International programme in Chile, and crewed on Round the World Challenge boats in the Solent.

In 2001, Her Royal Highness enrolled at the University of St Andrews, Fife, from where she graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 in History of Art. The Duchess continued with her interest in sport at University, playing hockey for the University team. Her Royal Highness first met Prince William when studying at the University.

Since completing her degree, The Duchess has worked for Party Pieces, a company owned and run by her parents. Alongside her work for the family business, Her Royal Highness worked in London as a part-time buyer for the clothing company Jigsaw Junior.

In 2008, The Duchess launched First Birthdays, a junior brand to Party Pieces. Her role within the family business included catalogue design and production, marketing and photography.

Her Royal Highness hobbies include recreational sports such as hill walking, tennis, swimming, sailing, and the arts such as photography and painting.