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119-847: Catherine, Princess of Wales (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton ; 9 January 1982), is a member of the British royal family . She is married to William, Prince of Wales , heir apparent to the British throne . Born in Reading , Catherine grew up in Bucklebury , Berkshire. She was educated at St Andrew's School and Marlborough College before earning a degree in art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she met Prince William in 2001 and graduated in 2005. She held several jobs and pursued charity work before their engagement
238-593: A 2021 interview , the Duchess of Sussex, who is of biracial heritage, relayed second-hand that there had been "concerns and conversations" within the royal family about the skin colour of their son, Archie , while the Duke of Sussex stated it was a single instance. The interview received a mixed reaction from the British public and media, and several of their claims were called into question. The Duke of Cambridge said
357-700: A gap year , studying at the British Institute of Florence in Italy and travelling to Chile to participate in a Raleigh International programme. She worked as a deckhand at the Port of Southampton in the summer preceding university. She subsequently enrolled at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, where she initially studied psychology before focusing solely on art history . She worked part-time as
476-605: A 1980s-themed roller disco fundraiser which raised £100,000, split between Oxford Children's Hospital and the mental health charity Place2Be. While working for her parents' company, she began organising events for the Starlight Children's Foundation, which helps terminally ill youth. She also helped coordinate the Boodles Boxing Ball , which raised money for the charity. Following her marriage, Catherine assumed royal duties and commitments in support of
595-499: A 700-mile journey in the continent earlier that year. In her capacity as patron of Action on Addiction , Catherine has occasionally made visits to its centres, spending time with recovering addicts. In October 2012, she, alongside Action on Addiction, launched the M-PACT programme (Moving Parents and Children Together), one of the only UK programmes to focus specifically on the impact of drug addiction on families. In June 2021, Catherine
714-485: A PR basis" and will "never do something because she thinks the media will like it." Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton , her and William's former private secretary, stated that "she has that almost old-fashioned, Queen Mother attitude to drama – she just doesn't do it." Time magazine listed Catherine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2023 and 2024, The Independent included Catherine on its "Influence List". In December 2022, she
833-490: A book titled Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020 , with a foreword written by Catherine, on 7 May 2021. Catherine has been hosting a Christmas carol concert called Together At Christmas annually at Westminster Abbey since December 2021 with the theme varying each year. In March 2022 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine , Catherine and William made a donation to help the refugees. In February 2023, they donated to
952-463: A bus during a shopping trip. Media attention increased around the time of Middleton's 25th birthday in January 2007, prompting warnings from Prince Charles, Prince William, and Middleton's lawyers, who threatened legal action. Two newspaper groups decided to refrain from publishing paparazzi pictures of Middleton but continued to use photographs of her at public events. In March 2007, her lawyers filed
1071-529: A charity called The Mix, called Exploring our Emotional Worlds continuing their longstanding work to promote mental well-being. During the initial years of her charity work, Catherine became interested in the connection between the first five years of childhood and conditions such as homelessness, mental health, and addiction in later life. In March 2018, she hosted a symposium with the Royal Society of Medicine , focusing on children's health, and launched
1190-689: A charity fashion show at the university in 2002 when she appeared on the stage wearing a see-through lace dress. The couple began dating in 2003. During their second year, Middleton shared a flat with William and two other friends. From 2003 until 2005, they both resided at Balgove House on the Strathtyrum estate with two roommates. In 2004 the couple briefly split but later rekindled their relationship. After her graduation, Middleton and her family faced intensive tabloid press scrutiny due to her relationship with William. In November 2006, she commenced part-time work for twelve months as an accessories buyer with
1309-463: A co-educational boarding school in Wiltshire, where she showed talent in sport and was captain of the girls' field hockey team. While attending the school, she was awarded a gold Duke of Edinburgh Award . She also underwent an operation on the left side of her head, reportedly to remove a lump , during the same period. Despite being offered a place at the University of Edinburgh , Middleton took
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#17327906944311428-570: A cost of £4.5 million. Kensington Palace became William and Catherine's main residence in 2017. The couple and their children officially moved into Adelaide Cottage in Windsor in September 2022. In December 2012, St James's Palace announced that Catherine was pregnant with her first child. The announcement was made earlier in the pregnancy than is usual as she had been admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum ,
1547-653: A formal complaint to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) over a photograph published by the Daily Mirror that was taken as a result of harassment, leading to a settlement and a warning from the PCC. In July 2007, MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee stated that Middleton was the victim of "clear and persistent harassment" by the paparazzi and criticised the lack of intervention by
1666-669: A local parish church, on 20 June 1982. She has two younger siblings, Philippa ("Pippa") and James . Her paternal family benefited financially from trust funds ; her great-grandparents Noël and Olive Middleton played host to members of the British royal family in the 1920s through to the 1940s. Her maternal family are descended from coal miners and have been described as working-class. Middleton's family moved from Bradfield Southend , Berkshire, to Amman , Jordan , in May 1984, where Catherine attended an English-language nursery school. When her family returned to Berkshire in September 1986, she
1785-452: A major demand of public protesters during the couple's visit. Catherine has been involved with charity work both before and after her marriage. In 2007 she curated a photography exhibition to mark the book launch of Time to Reflect by Alistair Morrison to raise funds for the UNICEF . In 2008 she visited Naomi's House Hospice, where she spent time with children. Later that year, she organised
1904-468: A model of family life". The scandals contributed to the public's unwillingness to pay for the repairs to Windsor Castle after the 1992 fire . A further " PR disaster" was the royal family's initial response to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales , in 1997. In the 1990s, the royal family formed the Way Ahead Group, made up of senior family members and advisers and headed by Elizabeth II, in
2023-662: A new mental health initiative by the Public Health England amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom . In April 2020, the couple announced Our Frontline, an initiative providing mental health support to emergency medical workers. In February 2021, Catherine recorded a video message about the importance of positive mental health during the pandemic. She made a surprise appearance on CBeebies Bedtime Stories , where she read The Owl Who Was Afraid of
2142-594: A private investigator working for a News of the World journalist. A 2021 BBC documentary suggested that briefings and counter-briefings from different royal households was the reason behind the negative coverage about members of the royal family. Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace, which represented the Queen, the then Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge respectively, described these suggestions as "overblown and unfounded claims". Senior members of
2261-507: A quest to change in accordance with public opinion. The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in April 2011 led to a "tide of goodwill", and by Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 the royal family's image had recovered. A 2019 YouGov poll showed that two-thirds of British people were in favour of maintaining the royal family. The role and public relations of the extended royal family again came under increased scrutiny due to
2380-611: A remote alpine cabin on Mount Kenya during a ten-day trip to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to celebrate the prince's passing the RAF helicopter search and rescue course. Clarence House announced the engagement on 16 November that year. William gave her the engagement ring that had belonged to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales . Middleton was confirmed into the Church of England on 10 March at St James's Palace by
2499-451: A severe form of morning sickness. She gave birth to Prince George at St Mary's Hospital, London , in July 2013. The severe morning sickness returned with the subsequent pregnancies, forcing Catherine to cancel her official engagements. She gave birth to Princess Charlotte in May 2015 and to Prince Louis in April 2018. George, Charlotte and Louis were respectively third, fourth and fifth in
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#17327906944312618-449: A three-day tour of Ireland, visiting three of the country's counties . In February 2022, Catherine visited Denmark to learn about the country's plans for the social and emotional development of young people and also to celebrate milestones of both countries' monarchs. In March that year, she and William embarked on a tour of Belize, The Bahamas and Jamaica to commemorate Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee . Reparations for slavery emerged as
2737-500: A three-year worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the profile of nurses. She has written of her family ties with nursing; her grandmother, Valerie Middleton , and her great-grandmother, Olive Middleton , were both VAD nurses for the British Red Cross . During the COVID-19 pandemic , Catherine undertook many in-person and virtual engagements supporting National Health Service workers. She discreetly volunteered with
2856-769: A trip to Canada in 1939 and in 1940 during The Blitz in London. Annual events attended by the royal family include the State Opening of Parliament , Trooping the Colour , and the National Service of Remembrance . According to historian Robert Lacey , Queen Elizabeth II once said that investitures of the honours recipients are the most important thing she does. Besides the King, Prince William and Princess Anne also perform investitures. Family members represent
2975-488: A waitress during her studies. Middleton was an active member of The Lumsden Club , which held fundraisers and community projects each year. In 2005 she graduated from the University of St Andrews with an undergraduate MA ( 2:1 Hons ) in Art History. In 2001 Middleton met Prince William while they were students in residence at St Salvator's Hall at the University of St Andrews. She reportedly caught William's eye at
3094-473: A warm welcome, as they toured Connor Downs Academy engaging with students and discussing early education initiatives in a roundtable discussion. In September 2022, Catherine and William visited Anglesey and Swansea which marked their first visit to Wales since becoming Princess and Prince of Wales. In February 2023, they visited Falmouth marking their first visit to the region since becoming Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, titles that are automatically bestowed upon
3213-513: Is Buckingham Palace . Announcements of the births and deaths of members of the royal family are traditionally attached to its front railings. Both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle , the monarch's weekend home in Berkshire , are used to host state visits . The Palace of Holyroodhouse and Hillsborough Castle serve as official royal residences when the monarch is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, respectively. Clarence House served as
3332-459: Is Catherine "Kate" Middleton . Following her family's return to Berkshire from Amman when she was four years old, Middleton was enrolled at St Andrew's, and she boarded part-weekly at the school in her later years. It was at this school in 1991 that Middleton first saw her future husband, Prince William , when he was part of a Ludgrove School hockey team that came to play a match at Middleton's school. The school has just under 300 pupils. It
3451-599: Is Frogmore Cottage , near Windsor. The Duke of York lives at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park , while the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey . St Andrew%27s School, Pangbourne St Andrew's School is an independent preparatory school in the hamlet of Buckhold, near Pangbourne , Berkshire, England. Together with its 'Pre-Prep – Early Years' department,
3570-405: Is Mountbatten-Windsor , reflecting the name taken by her Greek-born husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , upon his naturalisation . A surname is generally not needed by members of the royal family who are entitled to the titles of prince or princess and the style His or Her Royal Highness. Such individuals use surnames on official documents such as marriage registers , however. Members of
3689-436: Is co-educational. Its facilities include boarding houses, three science laboratories, music school, art studio and carpentry workshop, and a chapel. Sporting facilities include a 25-metre pool, all-weather astro playing field, sports hall, climbing wall, 9 hole golf course, 3 tennis courts (including one grass court) and rugby/football/cricket/lacrosse pitches. Former students of the school are called "Old St Andrew's", and there
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3808-465: Is no strict legal or formal definition of who is or is not a member, although the Royal Household has issued different lists outlining who is a part of the royal family. Members often support the monarch in undertaking public engagements, and pursue charitable work and interests. Members of the royal family are regarded as British and world cultural icons . The Lord Chamberlain 's "List of
3927-657: Is the trend that she is reported to have had in sales of particular products and brands. In 2021 it was reported that Catherine boosted the British fashion industry up to £1 billion within a year. Catherine's influence has made her a significant asset to the royal family's public image, enhancing their appeal and influence, a view echoed by journalist Camilla Tominey who described her as "the monarchy's greatest asset". Rhonda Garelick of The New York Times has also noted her ability to balance modernity with traditional royal norms. Speaking to The Times on Catherine's 40th birthday, her aides stated that she does not accept "advice on
4046-478: The 2024 Trooping the Colour in June, having mentioned in a letter released by Kensington Palace the previous day that she was still undergoing treatment for cancer. She continued to make occasional appearances over the following months amidst her ongoing cancer treatment. In September 2024, Catherine, in a video message released by Kensington Palace, revealed that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and that she
4165-517: The Bishop of London , with her family and William in attendance, preceding her wedding. The couple married on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey on St Catherine's Day. The day was declared a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. Estimates of the global audience for the wedding ranged around 300 million or more, whilst 26 million watched the event live in Britain alone. Her wedding dress
4284-587: The Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers . In October 2015, Catherine attended her first state banquet at Buckingham Palace, held to host Chinese president Xi Jinping . In April 2016, she and William undertook a tour to India and Bhutan. In October that year, Catherine made her first solo overseas trip to The Netherlands. Countries visited by the couple in 2017 include France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium. Their tour to Germany and Poland
4403-478: The Court Circular , a list of daily appointments and events attended by the royal family. Public appearances are often accompanied by walkabouts, where royals greet and converse with members of the public outside events. The start of this tradition is sometimes attributed to a trip Queen Elizabeth II made in 1970 to Australia and New Zealand. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother also interacted with crowds on
4522-800: The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which was helping victims of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake . In May 2023, she hosted the first children's picnic at the Chelsea Flower Show for students from ten primary schools who were participating in the Royal Horticultural Society 's Campaign for School Gardening. In July 2024, she and William made donations to help victims of Hurricane Beryl . Catherine has tackled issues surrounding mental health and disabilities and has previously made visits to charities and hospitals such as St Thomas' Hospital and
4641-617: The Imperial War Museum . Catherine curated an exhibition of Victorian photography at the National Portrait Gallery with a thematic focus on childhood. In May 2020, she launched "Hold Still", a project to capture people's life during lockdown , which garnered 31,000 submissions. In October 2020, the selected portraits were displayed on 112 public sites, including billboards, murals, and posters, across 80 towns and cities. The photographs were later published in
4760-462: The London Clinic . She postponed all of her public engagements and duties through March that year. The subsequent speculation about her absence from public view prompted various conspiracy theories about her health and garnered extensive media attention. The speculation largely started after William withdrew from the thanksgiving service of his godfather, Constantine II of Greece , where he
4879-579: The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute to spend time with mothers and children who deal with these issues. She has also been credited with raising national awareness of children's mental health; Benita Refson, president of Place2Be, has praised her work, saying that she would "shine the spotlight on child mental health", while Peter Fonagy , CEO of the Anna Freud Centre has called her one of
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4998-909: The National Portrait Gallery . She acquired patronage of the Lawn Tennis Association , the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club , Action for Children , and the Royal Photographic Society after they were passed down by Queen Elizabeth II. She became patron of the Foundling Museum , a museum to commemorate the Foundling Hospital , in 2019. Catherine was also a local volunteer leader with The Scout Association in north Wales, of which Queen Elizabeth II
5117-628: The Royal Foundation , with her charity work primarily focusing on issues surrounding early childhood care, addiction, and art. Catherine holds patronage with over 20 charitable and military organisations including the Anna Freud Centre , Action for Children , SportsAid , and the National Portrait Gallery . To encourage people to discuss their mental health problems, she envisioned the mental health awareness campaign Heads Together, which she launched with her husband William and brother-in-law Harry in April 2016. Catherine's relationship with
5236-560: The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to conduct work, research, and campaigns with other organisations on issues surrounding the early years. In February 2022, Catherine visited Denmark on behalf of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. In June that year, she hosted her first roundtable discussion with politicians on early childhood development. In January 2023, Catherine launched
5355-693: The Royal Voluntary Service during the same period. Catherine has worked extensively in children's palliative care alongside East Anglia's Children's Hospices and undertakes private visits to children's hospices and their families. She made her first public address at the opening of their Ipswich facility in 2012 after being announced as their patron in January that year. She has carried out engagements to raise awareness of Children's Hospice Week since 2013. Catherine has called herself an "enthusiastic amateur photographer" and has taken official portraits of her children, as well as other members of
5474-718: The Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League , both governing bodies that were previously supported by her brother-in-law Harry. In 2014 Catherine wrote the foreword for Living in the Slipstream: Life as an RAF Wife , whose proceeds raised money for charity. In December 2015, she assumed patronage of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets for youths 12–19 years of age. The Duke of Edinburgh , who had been patron of
5593-406: The advent of television , however, the media started paying less respect to the royal family's privacy. Princes William and Harry have had informal arrangements with the press whereby they would be left alone by the paparazzi during their education in return for invitations to staged photograph opportunities. William has continued the practice with his family posts on Instagram . Relations between
5712-779: The monarchy in Canada . In September 2012, the couple embarked on a tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands to commemorate Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee across the Commonwealth. During this overseas visit, she made her first official speech abroad, while visiting a hospice in Malaysia, drawing on her experience as patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices. The couple and their son visited Australia and New Zealand in April 2014. The prime minister of Australia, Tony Abbott , referred to their tour as "one of
5831-452: The British monarch. In March 2011, she and William set up a gift fund held by The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to allow well-wishers who wanted to give them a wedding gift to donate money to charities they care about instead. The gift fund supported 26 charities of the couple's choice, incorporating the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation. In June 2012, The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry
5950-645: The Caribbean tour of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations , the family encountered criticism from a number of political figures and the press, given their past connections to colonialism and the Atlantic slave trade via the Royal African Company . Reparations for slavery emerged as a major demand of protesters during the couple's visit. Both
6069-692: The Dark by Jill Tomlinson as part of the conclusion of Children's Mental Health Week in February 2022. In May that year, she became patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. In October, to mark World Mental Health Day, she and William took over Newsbeat and interviewed four guests on topics related to mental health. The following year, the couple took part in a forum for young people in Birmingham, alongside BBC Radio 1 and
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#17327906944316188-602: The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have their official London residences and offices at apartments in Kensington Palace , London. The former and their children officially moved into Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park in September 2022. The Duke and Duchess of Kent reside in Wren House in the grounds of Kensington Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official residence in the United Kingdom
6307-460: The Duke of York's friendship with convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell , and allegations of sexual abuse , along with his unapologetic conduct in the 2019 interview about these subjects and subsequent 2021 lawsuit . In June 2019, the royal family, several members of which advocate for environmental causes, faced criticism after it was revealed that they "had doubled [their] carbon footprint from business travel". In
6426-563: The Duke of York, the Duke of Sussex and the Duchess of Sussex do not currently carry out royal duties. Other members of the royal family holding royal rank who do not carry out official duties are: Prince George , Princess Charlotte , and Prince Louis of Wales ; Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex ; Princess Beatrice ; Princess Eugenie ; the Duchess of Kent ; and Prince Michael of Kent and his wife . Notes The monarch's children and grandchildren (if they are children of
6545-635: The Early Years Intervention Support initiative. In May that year, she established the Early Years Steering Group. In January 2020, Catherine launched "5 Big Questions on the Under 5's", a nationwide survey on development during early years. The survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI and contained "further qualitative and ethnographic research" on the early years. It received over 500,000 responses. The results of
6664-466: The Middleton family complained to the PCC after photographs of Catherine, Pippa, and their mother in bikinis while on holiday in 2006 were published in several newspapers. One of the photographs showed Pippa topless, prompting the family to complain about newspapers breaching the editors' code of practice by invading their privacy. In September 2011, a deal was negotiated for the images to be removed from
6783-465: The PCC. In 2010 Middleton pursued an invasion of privacy claim against two agencies and photographer Niraj Tanna for photographs taken of her playing tennis over Christmas 2009, resulting in £5,000 damages, legal costs, and an apology. In 2011 close associates of Jonathan Rees , a private investigator connected to the News International phone hacking scandal , stated that he had targeted Catherine during her period as William's girlfriend. In May 2011,
6902-409: The Princess's bulimia and self-harming was published; her private telephone conversations surfaced, as did the Prince's intimate telephone conversations with his lover, Camilla Parker Bowles; the Duke and Duchess of York separated; and photographs of the topless Duchess having her toes sucked by another man appeared in tabloids. Historian Robert Lacey said that this "put paid to any claim to being
7021-406: The RAF Cadets for 63 years, formally handed over during an audience at Buckingham Palace. Since acquiring patronage of the RAF Cadets, she has made visits to their base in Cambridgeshire and celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2016. In October 2022, she became patron to Preet Chandi , a British Army medical officer who aimed to complete a 1,000-mile solo expedition in the South Pole after finishing
7140-495: The Royal Family" comprising King Charles III and Queen Camilla ; William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales ; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex ; Prince Andrew, Duke of York ; Anne, Princess Royal ; Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh ; Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester ; Prince Edward, Duke of Kent ; and Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy . Among them,
7259-406: The Royal Family" published in August 2020 mentions all of King George VI 's descendants and their spouses (including Sarah, Duchess of York , who is divorced), along with Queen Elizabeth II 's cousins with royal rank and their spouses. The list applies for the purposes of regulating the use of royal symbols and images of the family. The website of the royal family provides a list of "Members of
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#17327906944317378-469: The Shaping Us initiative through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, a long-term campaign aimed at raising awareness about early childhood development and its importance. In November that year, she delivered the keynote speech at The Shaping Us National Symposium held at The Design Museum in London. Catherine, prominent for her fashion style, has been placed on numerous "best dressed" lists. She topped Tatler ' s Best Dressed List in 2022, and
7497-609: The UK that are disadvantaged. Princess Anne started The Princess Royal Trust for Carers , which helps unpaid carers, giving them emotional support and information about benefit claims and disability aids. The Earl and Countess of Wessex (as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were then known) founded the Wessex Youth Trust, since renamed The Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust, in 1999. The Prince and Princess of Wales are founding patrons of The Royal Foundation , whose projects revolve around mental health , conservation, early childhood, and emergency responders . In 2019 following
7616-518: The clothing chain Jigsaw . She also worked as a project manager in the family business, where she was responsible for the website and catalogue. Middleton attended William's Passing Out Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December 2006. In April 2007, they ended their relationship. It was subsequently reported that the couple had reconciled. In May 2008, Middleton attended the wedding of William's cousin Peter Phillips to Autumn Kelly in place of William, and met Queen Elizabeth II for
7735-405: The country" in 2020. Boris Johnson expressed his support for the initiative, while First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon criticised the tour, citing travel restrictions; UK, Scottish and Welsh governments were consulted before planning the tour. Catherine and William attended the G7 summit for the first time in June 2021 in Cornwall . She also met Jill Biden for the first time, marked by
7854-414: The courts granted an injunction against Closer , prohibiting further publication of the photographs and announced a criminal investigation would be initiated. In September 2017, Closer was fined €100,000 and its editor Laurence Pieau and owner Ernesto Mauri were each fined €45,000. British royal family The British royal family comprises King Charles III and his close relations. There
7973-559: The family among a group of people who they most associated with British culture . Members are expected to promote British industry. Royals are typically members of the Church of England , headed by the monarch. When in Scotland they attend the Church of Scotland as members and some have served as Lord High Commissioner to the Church of Scotland . Members of the royal family are patrons for approximately 3,000 charities, and have also started their own nonprofit organisations. The King started The Prince's Trust , which helps young people in
8092-414: The family as " soft power assets". Given the royal family's public role and activities, it is sometimes referred to by courtiers as "The Firm", a term that originated with George VI. Members of the royal family are politically and commercially independent, avoiding conflict of interest with their public roles. The royal family are considered British cultural icons , with young adults from abroad naming
8211-451: The first royal engagement held at the residence since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was well received, with President Zelensky later expressing gratitude for the royal couple's solidarity with Ukraine and its people. In December that year, the couple embarked on a three-day tour of England, Scotland, and Wales via the British Royal Train "to pay tribute to the inspiring work of individuals, organisations and initiatives across
8330-516: The first time as "terrifying". She has also highlighted the importance of "a happy home" and "a safe environment" for children, and described her "passion" for the outdoors, referencing it as an asset to building childhood wellbeing and developmental foundations. She launched the Mentally Healthy Schools website, which helps the students and staff with access "to reliable and practical resources to improve awareness, knowledge and confidence in supporting pupils' mental health". After two years of development,
8449-710: The first time. Middleton also attended the Order of the Garter procession at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made a Royal Knight of the Garter . In July 2008, she was a guest at the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman while William was away on military operations in the Caribbean, serving aboard HMS Iron Duke . In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on the Bodorgan Estate in Anglesey , Wales, where William resided during his RAF search and rescue training and subsequent career. Before her marriage, Middleton lived with her sister Pippa in an apartment owned by their parents in Chelsea, London . Middleton and William became engaged in October 2010, at
8568-585: The games. She and William also attended celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee throughout 2012 including the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in July. In June 2019, Catherine took the royal first salute, typically received by the Queen, at the Beating Retreat military pageant . In October 2020, William and Catherine met President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and First Lady Olena Zelenska at Buckingham Palace,
8687-903: The income of the Duchy of Lancaster , and the Prince of Wales from the Duchy of Cornwall . The security expenses for the royal family are typically covered by the Metropolitan Police rather than the sovereign grant. The royal family, the Home Office , and the Metropolitan Police decide which members have a right to taxpayer-funded police security. Extended members do not retain automatic right to protection; in 2011, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie ceased receiving police security. The sovereign's official residence in London
8806-481: The line of succession to the British throne at the times of their births. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II , they are now second, third, and fourth in line to the throne. William and Catherine have owned two English Cocker Spaniels , named Lupo and Orla. Kensington Palace announced in January ;2024 that Catherine had undergone a planned abdominal surgery for an undisclosed medical condition at
8925-612: The list by special legislation. Each year the family "carries out over 2,000 official engagements throughout the UK and worldwide", entertaining 70,000 guests and answering 100,000 letters. Engagements include state funerals, national festivities, garden parties, receptions, and visits to the Armed Forces . Many members have served in the Armed Forces themselves, including the King's brothers and sons. Engagements are recorded in
9044-406: The media and British royals have been destabilized by the rise of the digital media , with the quantity of articles becoming paramount toward gaining advertising revenue , with neither side able to exercise control. In the 2000s, the phones of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and Prince Harry and his then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy , were hacked multiple times by media outlets, most notably by
9163-416: The media has been closely scrutinised, particularly regarding her efforts to maintain privacy amidst significant media attention and public interest. The media have referred to her impact on British and American fashion as the "Kate Middleton effect" . Time listed her as one of the most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012 and 2013. On 9 September 2022, she became Princess of Wales when William
9282-402: The media, stating she had done nothing significant to warrant publicity and complained that photographers were permanently stationed outside her flat. Dickie Arbiter , who previously served as a press secretary to the royal family, stated that her treatment by the press drew parallels to the tumultuous experience of Diana in the early years of her marriage. Between 2005 and 2006, Middleton's phone
9401-433: The media. They have often requested that, when off-duty, their privacy should be respected. In April 2004, The Sun published pictures of Middleton with William at a ski resort and alleged that she was his girlfriend. After her graduation from university, Middleton was faced with widespread press attention and was often photographed by the paparazzi. In October 2005, she complained through her lawyer about harassment from
9520-403: The mental health awareness campaign " Heads Together " in April 2016. She later voluntarily talked about her struggles as a mother, and admitted that she suffered a "lack of confidence" and "feelings of ignorance" during certain periods of time. Catherine has discussed her experiences with "mum guilt" in balancing work/life commitments, and described bringing her newborn home from the hospital for
9639-456: The monarch on official visits and tours to other countries as ambassadors to foster diplomatic relations. They have also attended Commonwealth meetings on the monarch's behalf. The royal family also participates in state visits on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office , which includes the welcoming of dignitaries and a formal banquet. Journalist James Forsyth has referred to
9758-648: The monarch's eldest son and his spouse. Catherine and William's first royal tour of Canada took place in June–July 2011. The tour's two-day trip to California was also her first visit to the United States. Nicholas Witchell , writing for BBC News , noted that the tour to Canada had been an "unqualified success" for the couple as they engaged in various activities from tree planting to street hockey, with their warm interactions and thoughtful gestures enhancing their popularity and reinforcing positive sentiments towards
9877-503: The monarch's sons), and the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, are automatically entitled to be known as prince or princess with the style His or Her Royal Highness (HRH). Peerages , often dukedoms , are bestowed upon most princes prior to marriage. Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall , children of the King's sister, Princess Anne, are, therefore, not prince and princess. Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex , though entitled to
9996-513: The most important figures in the field, and stated that "to the millions of children who have been suffering in silence, she is their voice". In recognition of their work with charities concerned with children's mental health, Catherine and William were awarded the Gold Blue Peter badge , an award previously granted to Queen Elizabeth II. To encourage people to open up about their mental health issues, Catherine, William and Harry initiated
10115-514: The negative reactions to the " Prince Andrew & the Epstein Scandal " interview, the Duke of York was forced to resign from public roles; the retirement became permanent in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex permanently withdrew from royal duties in early 2020. Following these departures, there is a shortage of royal family members to cover the increasing number of patronages and engagements. Royal biographer Penny Junor says that
10234-681: The newspapers' websites and never published again. In September 2012, the French edition of Closer and the Italian gossip magazine Chi published photographs of Catherine sunbathing topless while on holiday at the Château d'Autet . On 17 September 2012, William and Catherine filed a criminal complaint with the French prosecution department and launched a claim for civil damages at the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Nanterre . The following day
10353-817: The official residence of Charles III from 2003, when he was Prince of Wales, until he ascended to the throne on 8 September 2022. Another London residence of his when Prince of Wales was St James's Palace , which he shared with the Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra. Princess Alexandra also resides at Thatched House Lodge in Richmond . The King also privately owns Sandringham House in Norfolk and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, which are his personal property. He inherited them from Elizabeth II upon her death. The Prince and Princess of Wales and
10472-470: The progress made in overcoming the region's divisions over the past twenty years. The couple visited Pakistan in October 2019; it was the royal family's first visit to the country in 13 years. The tour was a success, helping promote diplomatic relations with Pakistan while also reflecting the couple's personal interests in climate change and the significance of quality education. In March 2020, they carried out
10591-478: The royal family has presented itself "as the model family" since the 1930s. Author Edward Owen wrote that during the Second World War , the monarchy sought an image of a "more informal and vulnerable family" that had a unifying effect on the nation during instability. In 1992 , the Princess Royal and her husband Mark Phillips divorced; the Prince and Princess of Wales separated; a biography detailing
10710-489: The royal family support the monarch in "state and national duties", while also carrying out charity work of their own. If the sovereign is indisposed, two counsellors of state are required to fulfil his/her role, with those eligible being restricted to the sovereign's spouse, and the first four people in the line of succession over the age of 21. In 2022 the then Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal were added to
10829-665: The royal family were "very much not a racist family". In June 2021, documents revealed that "coloured immigrants or foreigners" were banned by Elizabeth II's chief financial manager at the time from working for the family as clerks in the 1960s, prompting black studies professor Kehinde Andrews to state that "the royal family has a terrible record on race". In response, the palace stated that it complied "in principle and in practice" with anti-discrimination legislation, and that second-hand claims of "conversations from over 50 years ago should not be used to draw or infer conclusions about modern-day events or operations." In March 2022 and during
10948-594: The royal family, who represent the monarch, draw their income from public funds known as the sovereign grant , which is an annual payment of the British government to the monarch. It comes from the revenues of the Crown Estate , which are commercial properties owned by the Crown . Members of the royal family who receive money from the sovereign grant must be accountable to the public for it and are not allowed to make money from their name. The monarch also receives
11067-508: The royal family. In 2019 she supported workshops run by the Royal Photographic Society in partnership with Action for Children to highlight the effect of photography in expressing thoughts in young people. As patron of the Royal Photographic Society she and other photographers took part in an exhibition that marked 75 years since the end of the Holocaust. Photos taken by Catherine of the Holocaust survivors were later included in an exhibition at
11186-458: The school but in the larger chapel of nearby Bradfield College. Scholarships are awarded to some children above the age of eleven, based on merit. St Andrew's has a School Council to involve its children in decisions affecting them. In March 2011 an Independent Schools Inspectorate report endorsed the school's success. The school was founded in 1934 as a boarding school for boys, and consisted of just two staff and eight boys. Historically, as
11305-472: The school educates girls and boys aged between three and thirteen. In 2011, there were 266 children at the school, of whom 155 were boys and 111 were girls. The school has a Christian ethos, and its chapel services are reported to be "broadly Anglican in style". The most important religious event of the school year is the Advent Carol Service, which because of the numbers attending is held not at
11424-486: The school grew, boys would leave to go onto schools such as Eton , Harrow and Winchester , however its ties with these schools slowly deteriorated after it first admitted girls in 1971, going on to become fully co-educational. The school's main building, a listed Victorian Gothic country house called Buckhold, which was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1885 for Herbert Watney , is set in fifty-four acres of woods and playing fields. The school's most famous alumna
11543-438: The styles "Princess Louise of Edinburgh" and "Prince James of Edinburgh", respectively, are not called prince and princess, as their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, wanted them to have more modest titles. The King reportedly wants to reduce the number of titled members of the royal family. By tradition, wives of male members of the royal family share their husbands' title and style. Princesses by marriage do not have
11662-551: The survey were released in November 2020. The findings outlined five key topics surrounding early childhood, including parental mental health and wider community health and support. In July 2020, she supported and assisted in the development of BBC's "Tiny Happy People" initiative, providing free digital resources to parents with young children. In August 2020, she headed a donation drive to benefit baby banks nationwide which spurred over 10,000 donations. In June 2021, Catherine launched
11781-440: The then Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge have condemned slavery in their speeches, and the Prince has described acknowledging the wrongs of the past as a necessity for the Commonwealth countries to realise their potential. Historically, the royal family and the media have benefited from each other; the family used the press to communicate with the public, while the media used the family to attract readers and viewers. With
11900-451: The title prefixed to their own name but to their husband's; for example, the wife of Prince Michael of Kent is Princess Michael of Kent. Sons of monarchs are customarily given dukedoms upon marriage, and these peerage titles pass to their eldest sons. Male-line descendants of King George V , including women until they marry, bear the surname Windsor. The surname of the male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II, except for women who marry,
12019-489: The two families. In October 2011, she undertook her first solo engagement at a reception for In Kind Direct , hosted at Clarence House , stepping in for Prince Charles. In March 2012, Catherine gave her first public speech for the opening of a children's hospice opened by her patronage, East Anglia's Children's Hospices. She and William were announced as ambassadors for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. As part of her role, Catherine attended numerous sporting events throughout
12138-605: The very best royal visits" Australia had experienced. In June, they visited France to attend an event commemorating 70 years since the Normandy landings at Gold Beach . The couple visited the United States in December that year. The tour was a success, featuring diplomatic engagements such as a visit to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum , the couple's personal interests and attending an NBA match between
12257-566: The website had over 250,000 visitors accessing its resources. Catherine guest-edited HuffPost UK as part of an effort to raise awareness for children's mental health issues. In 2019 Catherine worked with the Royal Horticultural Society as one of the co-designers for a garden display at the Chelsea Flower Show. She designed the "Back to Nature Garden" together with Andree Davies and Adam White. The garden
12376-589: Was announced as patron of The Forward Trust after its merger with Action on Addiction. As patron, she launched a campaign titled "Taking Action on Addiction". In January 2018, locks of Catherine's hair were reportedly donated to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which made wigs for children diagnosed with cancer. In February that year, she became patron of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists . She also launched Nursing Now,
12495-468: Was announced in November 2010. She became Duchess of Cambridge by her marriage on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey . The couple have three children: George , Charlotte , and Louis . Following her marriage, Catherine has undertaken royal duties and commitments in support of the British monarch. She has represented the royal family on official overseas tours and has played a significant role in various charitable activities by undertaking projects through
12614-716: Was at a fundraising event organised by the Teenage Cancer Trust in December 2010. She made her first official public appearance in February 2011, when the couple attended a lifeboat-naming ceremony in Trearddur , near their home at that time in Anglesey, North Wales . In March 2011, the couple toured Belfast . Catherine's first official engagement after her wedding came in May that year when she and William met Barack and Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace . Reporters noted that warm words had been exchanged between
12733-512: Was created Prince of Wales by his father, King Charles III . Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading into an upper-middle-class family with ties to the landed gentry . Her parents, Michael Middleton and Carole (née Goldsmith), were a flight dispatcher and flight attendant at British Airways , respectively. She was baptised at St Andrew's Bradfield ,
12852-523: Was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen . Catherine was styled as "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge". The couple were given the country home Anmer Hall , on the Sandringham House , as a wedding gift from the Queen. Following their marriage in 2011, the couple used Nottingham Cottage as their London residence. They moved into the four-storey, 20-room Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace in 2013. Renovations took 18 months at
12971-486: Was enrolled aged four at St Andrew's School , a private school near Pangbourne in Berkshire. She boarded part-weekly at St Andrew's in her later years. In 1987 her mother founded Party Pieces, a privately held mail order company that sold party supplies and decorations. In 1995 the family moved to the village of Bucklebury where Catherine studied at Downe House School . She was a boarder at Marlborough College ,
13090-488: Was found to be the second most liked member of the royal family by statistics and polling company YouGov , while an Ipsos favourability poll in April 2023 suggested that she was the most liked member. In April 2024, YouGov found her to be the most popular member of the royal family. The death of Diana, Princess of Wales , while being chased by paparazzi in August 1997 has influenced Catherine's and William's attitude towards
13209-526: Was hacked 155 times according to former News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman , who was involved in a phone hacking scandal by the newspaper that targeted the royal family. In 2005, after Middleton was chased by the paparazzi on her way to an interview, William consulted her and her father and penned a legal letter to newspapers requesting that they respect her privacy. In April 2006, her lawyers issued new warnings to several newspapers and picture agencies after they published photographs of Middleton on
13328-713: Was later expanded and moved to Hampton Court Palace as a part of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show , before being shown at the Back to Nature Festival at RHS Garden Wisley . A playground, inspired by the "Back to Nature" garden, was built on the Sandringham Estate in 2021. In May 2019, as a part of their "Heads Together" initiative, Catherine, her husband and her in-laws launched Shout, a text messaging service for those who have mental issues. In March 2020, she and William started supporting
13447-399: Was looking forward to resuming public engagements in the coming months. In October 2024, she accompanied William on a visit to meet the families of the victims of the 2024 Southport stabbing , marking her first official public engagement since the completion of her chemotherapy treatment. Middleton's first public appearance with William following their engagement announcement in November 2010
13566-571: Was patron, before being made co-president in September 2020, alongside the Duke of Kent . Catherine is a keen sportswoman and attends Wimbledon annually. She has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016. Catherine, who enjoys sailing , has occasionally taken part in the sport to raise money for charity. In 2012 together with her husband and his brother Harry , Catherine launched Coach Core. The programme
13685-406: Was ranked first by the magazine on its list of the most glamorous European royals in 2024. Her style has evolved from more conservative choices in the early years of her public life to a sophisticated and elegant wardrobe, often featuring designs by Alexander McQueen , Jenny Packham , Catherine Walker and international designers such as Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci . The "Kate Middleton effect"
13804-593: Was renamed to reflect Catherine's contribution to the charity. It is now known as The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales . Catherine's charity work primarily focuses on issues surrounding young children, mental health, sport, addiction and art. Her impact on charitable donations and project visibility has been called the "Kate effect". She holds a number of charitable patronages. Catherine, being an art history graduate, also takes an interest in art and handpicked The Art Room, which helped disadvantaged children access art therapy before its closure, as well as
13923-517: Was set up following the 2012 Olympics to provide apprenticeship opportunities for people who desire to pursue a career as a professional coach. In 2014 she and William were awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club . In July 2019, she lent her support to Backyard Nature, a campaign created to inspire "children, families and communities to get outside and engage with nature". In February 2022, she became patron of
14042-410: Was slated to speak, citing an undisclosed "personal matter". Catherine announced on 22 March, through a video message filmed by BBC Studios , that post-operative tests had found cancer, and the palace said she had been undergoing chemotherapy since late February. Her medical leave from public engagements was subsequently extended. She made her first public appearance after her cancer diagnosis at
14161-480: Was successful, with author Katie Nicholl referring to it as a "P.R. victory for Britain". She visited Luxembourg City in May 2017 for the Treaty of London commemorations. In January 2018, the couple visited Sweden and Norway. In February 2019, they carried out a two-day visit of Northern Ireland, visiting Belfast, Fermanagh , and Ballymena . The purpose of the visit was to celebrate the country's youth and acknowledge
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