In Pictures: The Duchess of Cambridge over the years
As the Duchess of Cambridge celebrates her 37th birthday on Wednesday, here’s a look back at Kate’s royal life so far:
– The Engagement
Kate Middleton became engaged to Prince William in 2010 when she was 28 years old, after months of speculation.
The former student flatmates, who met at St Andrews University in Fife, Scotland, had been dating for more than seven years when William proposed on a romantic holiday to Kenya.
William smuggled his late mother’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring in his rucksack to surprise Kate.
– Getting to know the ropes
In February 2011, Kate and William carried out their first official public engagement after announcing their engagement.
They visited Trearddur Bay in Anglesey, North Wales, to attend a service of dedication for a new RNLI lifeboat.
Future royal Kate was at ease, laughing and smiling as she poured champagne over a lifeboat as part of the ceremony.
– The wedding
Kate and William tied the knot in front of 2,000 guests and a television audience of millions in London’s Westminster Abbey on April 29 2011.
Kate’s elegant wedding gown with its fitted bodice and delicate lace neckline and sleeves was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Miss Middleton became an HRH, the Duchess of Cambridge and a future Queen after saying her vows.
– The Family
Kate and William were overjoyed to welcome Prince George in 2013, and went on to add to their young family with Princess Charlotte in 2015 and then Prince Louis last year.
The family of five posed together at Anmer Hall in an image used for their 2018 Christmas card.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to share a new photograph of their family.
The photograph, taken by Matt Porteous, shows The Duke and Duchess with their three children at Anmer Hall, and features on Their Royal Highnesses’ Christmas card this year. pic.twitter.com/6XqCMlhLi8
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 14, 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released an additional photograph taken following the christening of Prince Louis.
The Duke and Duchess hope that everyone enjoys this lovely photograph of Prince Louis as much as they do.
📷 @mattporteouspic.twitter.com/Ix9CykzeBx
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 16, 2018
– The Tours
Kate’s first official overseas tour saw the Cambridges travel to Canada in June 2011 and then onto California in the US.
Since then the couple have travelled to the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, taken Prince George to New Zealand and Australia, and toured India and Bhutan.
Other trips have included Germany and Poland with George and Charlotte, and Sweden and Norway.
– The big events
The duchess joined the Queen and the royal family at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
Other festivities have included the Queen’s 90th birthday, as well as annual favourites including Trooping the Colour, state banquets, diplomatic receptions and the Order of the Garter parade.
– Charity work
Kate is now patron of 17 charities and organisations, and has focused her charity work on helping children have the best possible start in life, particularly surrounding their mental health.
She has worked closely with the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, and Place2Be, which provides early intervention mental health support in schools.
In 2017, the duchess championed the Heads Together mental health campaign with William and Prince Harry.
