Overview

Catherine, Princess of Wales (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on 9 January 1982) is the wife of William, Prince of Wales. She entered public life after their widely covered engagement and wedding on 29 April 2011. Upon marriage she became Duchess of Cambridge; following the accession of King Charles III in 2022 she became known as Princess of Wales. Her role combines official duties, charitable work and representation of the royal family at home and abroad.

Early life and education

Catherine was born at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and grew up in the county of Berkshire, where her family ran a small business and she spent her childhood and adolescence. She attended private schools, including Marlborough College, before studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. While at St Andrews she read history of art and met Prince William in 2001; their friendship developed into a long-term relationship that attracted increasing media attention.

Relationship, marriage and family

The couple's relationship was subject to significant press scrutiny, an experience that Catherine and William have described as intrusive and difficult during periods of intense media interest about harassment. After a brief split in 2007 they reconciled and became engaged in 2010. Their marriage on 29 April 2011 was a major public event in the United Kingdom and abroad.

  • Prince George — born 22 July 2013.
  • Princess Charlotte — born 2 May 2015.
  • Prince Louis — born 23 April 2018.

Public role, interests and patronages

As a senior member of the royal family, Catherine carries out public engagements, supports official tours and attends ceremonial occasions. She has developed particular interests in early childhood development, mental health and the arts. In partnership with charitable foundations and organizations she has promoted initiatives aimed at improving services for young children and raising awareness of mental well‑being.

Her charitable work includes patronage and support for a range of cultural, sporting and social causes. Catherine has used photography and media projects to highlight community stories, and she has worked alongside other members of the royal family on campaigns that seek to reduce stigma around mental health and encourage early intervention for children.

Public image and influence

Catherine's style and public comportment have attracted sustained public and media interest. She is frequently mentioned in fashion and lifestyle coverage, and her choices have influenced consumer interest in accessible designs and established designers alike. At the same time, she has been the focus of discussions about privacy, press behaviour and the balance between public duties and family life.

Notable facts and distinctions

Born into a private family that became prominent after her relationship with William, Catherine has navigated the transition from relative private citizen to high-profile royal. Her official titles and honors have evolved with the changes in the monarchy. She continues to combine representational work with substantive campaigns on early years and mental health, and her profile ensures that those causes receive widespread attention.

For more background on the institutions associated with her life and education see University of St Andrews, and for regional context visit sources about Berkshire. Contemporary reporting and official royal communications provide regular updates on her engagements and patronages related to the Prince of Wales and the royal household institutions. Broader discussions of media treatment of public figures reference concerns noted in coverage about press conduct.