Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

EARLY LIFE

Kate Middleton was born in Reading, Berkshire, England on January 9, 1982 to Michael and Carole Middleton. Her father was a pilot and her mother an airline stewardess.

Kate Middleton is related to George Washington, they are cousins eight times removed. Their common ancestor was Sir William Gascoigne, who died in 1487. She is also related to famous American General George S. Patton.

Her parents became self-made millionaires after launching a successful party supply store.

Kate lived with her family in Amman, Jordan, for a few years in the mid 1980s.

Kate Middleton set a high-jump record of 1.50 metres when she attended St. Andrew's School in Berkshire on her return from Jordan. It has yet to be beaten.

At the age of 8, Kate became a brownie with the 1st St Andrews pack in Pangbourne, Berkshire with her little sister, Pippa.

Kate spent two terms at Downe House School in Berkshire before her parents moved her to Marlborough College. She reportedly left because she was being bullied for being "too perfect."

At the age 13, Kate went to Marlborough College, a co-educational independent boarding school in Wiltshire. She played tennis, hockey and netball there. Kate's statuesque height meant she was the perfect person to play goal defence in netball.

Whilst at Marlborough College, Kate performed as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Prince Charming in Cinderella.

Kate's nickname at school was 'Squeak' because her sister was called 'Pip.'

Kate took a gap year after her A-Levels at Malborough College, firstly doing an intensive 12-week course at the British Institute in Florence before spending time in Chile.

While an undergraduate  at the University of Saint Andrews, Kate continued participating in sports and played for the university's hockey team.

Kate graduated in 2005, from the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, with an undergraduate MA (2:1 Hons) in the history of art.

The Duchess of Cambridge is the first royal wife to hold a degree.

Ricky Wilson - https://www.flickr.com/photos/rlwilsonphotography/13773362623

Her first job was as an assistant accessories buyer for fashion brand Jigsaw after she finished university. She once considered launching a clothing line for kids.

RELATIONSHIP WITH PRINCE WILLIAM

As a young child, Kate performed in a play in which she portrayed a young lady wooed by a young, handsome blond prince named William.

It was at St Andrews where Kate Middleton met Prince William. She first came across the royal while wearing a see-through dress at a university fashion show in 2002.

The see-through dress that sparked William's interest in Kate was auctioned in 2011 for more than $120,000.

Kate Middleton and Prince William became engaged in October 2010, in a remote hut in Kenya, The Prince proposed during a 10-day trip to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to celebrate his passing his RAF helicopter search and rescue course.

Kate's engagement ring actually belonged to Prince Harry. He looked after it following Diana's death but handed it over to his brother when he discovered that he planned to propose.

Kate and William's first official event together after they got engaged was in Anglesey, Wales, where they dedicated a new lifeboat.

Their wedding took place in Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. Kate's wedding dress had a 2.7m train and hand embroidered individual lace flowers.

 Newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. By The_royal_family_on_the_balcony.jpg: Magnus Dderivative work: 

In keeping with wedding tradition for "something blue," Kate had a blue ribbon sewn into the interior of her dress.

Kate became the Duchess of Cambridge upon her marriage to the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.

The Duchess of Cambridge is distantly related to Prince William -- they are 12th cousins once removed.

She has three children,  Prince George born on July 22 2013, Princess Charlotte (May 2 2015) and Prince Louis (April 23 2018).

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

The Duchess of Cambridge enjoys photography and took pictures for her family's mail order business. She frequently takes photographs for official royal engagements and events, often choosing to release personal photos instead of relying on professional photographers. The Duchess has taken official portraits of her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, which have been praised for their natural and informal style.

Her other hobbies include walking, tennis, swimming, sailing, and painting.

According to Good Housekeeping, the Duchess of Cambridge likes to cook, owns a sausage maker and loves to make strawberry jam and plum preserves.

The duchess has a particular weakness for curry. She liked the takeaways made by the Shingadia family - owners of the Spar shop in Upper Bucklebury, Berkshire, near her childhood home - so much that they were invited to her wedding.

The Duchess' favourite drinks are Pina Coladas and Jack Daniels [Splash].

Sources Yahoo.com, OK Magazine, Etonline.com