Kate Middleton Is 41: Photos Of The Princess From Her College Years To Now

By:

Elissa Anderson

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Kate Middleton: Then & Now

Kate Middleton: Then & Now — Kate Middleton is beloved by Britain as the Princess Of Wales. But unlike her hubby Prince William, she wasn’t always destined to be royalty. Kate, born January 9, 1982, first charmed the Prince when they met in 2001 while studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

They began their courtship around 2003, it wasn’t until Nov. 2010 that the couple was finally engaged. People around the world tuned in to watch their royal wedding when it happened in 2011. The Prince and Princess started a family soon after, welcoming Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2015, and Prince Louis in 2018.

Kate isn’t just a princess. She’s been dedicated to philanthropy since assuming her title. She holds patronage within over 20 charitable and military organizations, including Action for Children, SportsAid, and the National Portrait Gallery.

And through it all, she’s been the epitome of glamour. Her fashion choices have been mimicked by many, in turn, catapualting the career of designers like Emilia Wickstead. Kate was truly radiant during this appearance at Britain’s National Portrait Gallery in London on May 4, 2016.

Ready for more photos of Princess Kate Middleton? Check out our gallery here.

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Kate Middleton In 2002

Kate Middleton In 2002 — Kate Middleton really turned heads during St. Andrews University Charity Fashion Show in 2002. She reportedly piqued Will’s interest after strutting down the runway in a sheer tube dress that revealed dark underwear underneath. They began dating around 2003, but wouldn’t get engaged until 7 years on.

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Kate Middleton In 2004

Kate Middleton In 2004 — Kate Middleton looked preppy-chic during the Game Fair at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Britain in Aug. of 2004. She wore leather riding boots and matched her skirt to a long green jacket she tossed over her shoulders.

Kate and William, along with two other roommates, resided at the private cottage Balgove House, near their school, University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The couple briefly split in 2004, but reunited not long after.

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Kate Middleton At A 2005 Wedding

Kate Middleton At A 2005 Wedding — Kate Middleton was chic at the wedding of Hugh Van Cursem and Rose Astor at Burford in Oxforshire on Jun. 4, 2005. She donned a little black chapeau with a creme jacket and lacy, two-toned pencil skirt.

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Kate Middleton In 2005

Kate Middleton In 2005 — Prince William and Kate Middleton watched a match at Britain’s Beaufort Polo Club on Jun. 18, 2005. They were dressed for a warm day, rocking short sleeves and sunglasses.

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Kate Middleton & Prince William’s Graduation

Kate Middleton & Prince William’s Graduation — Kate Middleton and Prince William graduated from St. Andrews University on Jun. 23, 2005. She earned a degree in Art history during her time in college.

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Kate Middleton At A 2006 Ball

Kate Middleton At A 2006 Ball — Kate Middleton was so stunning in a teal dress during 2006’s Boodles Boxing Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel London. The gown featured a silky ribbon belt and she had her hair style in warm waves.

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Kate Middleton In 2007

Kate Middleton In 2007 — Kate Middleton attended the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meeting in Gloucestershire, Britain on Mar. 16, 2007. She and William reportedly split that April, only to reunite by July.

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Kate Middleton & Prince William After Polo

Kate Middleton & Prince William After Polo — Kate Middleton was simply beaming while leaving a Berkshire polo match with Prince William on May 10, 2009. The couple flirted while walking around the event, where they enjoyed a drink together.

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Kate Middleton & Prince William Announce Their Engagement

Kate Middleton & Prince William Announce Their Engagement — Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton were glowing after they announced their engagement at St. James’s Palace in London in Nov. 2010. The future-king proposed to his love during a trip to Kenya.

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Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress

Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress — Kate Middleton was pure elegance during her Apr. 29, 2011 wedding. Her lacydress has been designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of the Alexander McQueen label. According to a press release from St James’ Palace Catherine chose the British brand for the “beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship”.

The details of the dress were simply amazing. The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt of the dress was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework and individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle. Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly were used throughout the bodice and skirt.

The train was two metres and 70cm long, and the dress had an ivory satin bodice. The design, which was is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, drew on the Victorian tradition of corsetry, a hallmark of McQueen designs. The veil, made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle, is held Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, belonging to The Queen, which was made in 1936. Her earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a diamond acorn, and were a gift from her parents.

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Kate Middleton In 2012

Kate Middleton In 2012 — Now a Princess, Kate had many duties to take over. She’s seen presenting a Shamrock to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards on St 2012. Her gorgeous green coat-dress was by Emilia Wickstead, one of her favorite designers.

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Kate Middleton In 2014

Kate Middleton In 2014 — Kate Middleton looked during a reception at New Zealand’s Government House in Apr. 2014. She wore a black dress with a silver leaf detail on the shoulder.

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Kate Middleton Plays Tennis

Kate Middleton Plays Tennis — Game on! Kate Middleton played some tennis with ace Andy Murray’s mother Judy at Craigmount High School in Edinburgh, Scotland on Feb. 24, 2016. She was dressed in a Nike top and black and white track pants.

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The Royals In 2017

The Royals In 2017 — Family time! Prince William and Kate Middleton became parents not long after their wedding, seen here with son Prince George and daughter Princess Charlotte in Warsaw, Poland on July 19, 2017. They looked like quite the picture perfect family, rocking all shades of blue.

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Kate Middleton In 2018

Kate Middleton In 2018 — Kate Middleton was ravishing in red as she helped open the Mittal Children’s Medical Centre in London on Jan. 17, 2018. Her coat was so chic.

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Kate Middleton At Buckingham Palace In 2019

Kate Middleton At Buckingham Palace In 2019 — Kate Middleton was in real royal style when she hosted an evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace in London on Dec. 11, 2019. She wore a diamond tiara and elegant black dress.

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The Royals In 2020

The Royals In 2020 — Christmas fun! Prince William and Kate Middleton took their kids to a special pantomime performance at London’s Palladium Theatre, on Dec. 11, 2020. They were so happy to be together.

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Kate Middleton & Prince William At The Premiere Of ‘No Time To Die’

Kate Middleton & Prince William At The Premiere Of ‘No Time To Die’ — Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge were glowing during the London premiere of the James Bond film No Time To Die on Sep. 28, 2021. Kate’s gold dress looked like a burst of pure sunshine and Will was handsome in a velvet jacket.

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Kate Middleton At A 2022 Ball

Kate Middleton At A 2022 Ball — Kate Middleton was pure poise at a Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace in London on Dec. 6, 2022. She wore red sequins by Jenny Packham, along with a diamond tiara.

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Kate Middleton On Christmas Day 2022

Kate Middleton On Christmas Day 2022 — Kate Middleton walked her youngest Prince Louis by the hand during Christmas Day 2022 church service at the royal’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. It was the first holiday since their matriatch, Queen Elizabeth II, had passed away.

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