"Princess Kate has had a royal evolution unlike anyone else in the history of the British monarchy— from commoner to duchess to Princess of Wales and future queen consort. Kate Middleton was very well-vetted by the time she married Prince William in 2011 after nearly a decade together. And she seemed to adapt to her new role with ease as she took on patronages, became one of the institution’s most popular figures and welcomed children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Kate, who gained the new title of princess upon Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, has shown herself to be a devoted mom and a supportive spouse as William prepares to become the next king of England. She has carved out her own path as well, focusing on mental health, the arts, and in particular, early childhood development. In February, she announced her new “Shaping Us” initiative, which aims at improving the first five years of children’s lives. “By focusing our collective time, energy, and resources to build a supportive, nurturing world around the youngest members of our society and those caring for them, we can make a huge difference to the health and happiness of generations to come,” she said at the launch of the campaign. Kate, who is also the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge, is uniquely suited to the cause, thanks to her gift for appearing both relatable yet aspirational— people feel as if they know her. “If we can judge how she feels by how she behaves and by how she looks, I think she looks supremely confident,” royal commentator Daisy McAndrew told Today in January 2022. “If you observe her since she first came into the public eye all those years ago, since her wedding 10 years ago, and now, she’s a very different being.... I think we really see a woman who’s come into her own, understands the role that she has to fulfill and is doing it to the best of her ability.”"
KATE • Inside Her New Life
COMING INTO HER OWN
THE NEW PRINCE & PRINCESS OF WALES • WILLIAM AND KATE ARE FORGING THEIR OWN PATH IN THE ROLES LAST HELD BY HIS PARENTS.
A CLOSE BOND • KATE HAS A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW KING AND QUEEN CONSORT.
KATE MIDDLETON’S EARLY YEARS • THE FUTURE PRINCESS OF WALES WAS A COMMONER BORN INTO A LOVING MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY.
{THE MIDDLETONS}
PRINCE WILLIAM’S DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD • A SENSITIVE CHILD, THE YOUNG PRINCE WAS DEEPLY AFFECTED BY HIS PARENTS’ ROCKY RELATIONSHIP AND HIS MOTHER’S TRAGIC DEATH.
HEAD OVER HEELS • KATE AND WILLIAM STARTED OFF AS FRIENDS, BUT THINGS CHANGED WHEN HE SAW HER WALK IN A CHARITY FASHION SHOW.
GETTING SERIOUS • AS THE COUPLE’S ROMANCE HEATED UP, THEY MOVED INTO THEIR VERY OWN LOVE NEST. BUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP SOON HIT A ROADBLOCK.
THEY CALLED HER “WAITY KATIE” • DESPITE SPECULATION THAT WILLIAM WAS ABOUT TO PROPOSE, HE SEEMED NO CLOSER TO POPPING THE QUESTION TO KATE.
FINALLY! AN ENGAGEMENT • PRINCE WILLIAM POPPED THE QUESTION TO KATE WITH A ROMANTIC PROPOSAL AT A PLACE THAT WAS VERY SPECIAL TO HIM.
A FAIRY-TALE WEDDING • KATE AND WILLIAM TIED THE KNOT IN APRIL 2011 IN A ROMANTIC CEREMONY WATCHED BY MORE THAN 2 BILLION PEOPLE.
GEORGE THE NATURE-LOVING PRINCE • KATE AND WILLIAM’S ELDEST SON IS QUIET AND THOUGHTFUL, LIKE HIS FATHER.
CHARLOTTE THE CHEEKY PRINCESS • THE ROYAL COUPLE’S DAUGHTER IS A BIT OF A SPITFIRE WITH AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT.
LOUIS PRINCE WITH PERSONALITY • WILLIAM AND KATE’S ADORABLE YOUNGEST CHILD IS “CERTAINLY NOT SHY,” ACCORDING TO A ROYAL EXPERT.
ROYAL REAL ESTATE • THOUGH THEIR HOMES IN WINDSOR, LONDON AND NORFOLK ARE VERY DIFFERENT, WILLIAM AND KATE HAVE MADE EACH ONE A COZY PLACE FOR THEIR FAMILY.
THE KATE EFFECT • THE PRINCESS OF WALES TOPS BEST-DRESSED LISTS AND THE CLOTHES SHE WEARS QUICKLY SELL OUT.
HER MOST...
