Best Known As: Royalty

Gist:  Catherine "Kate" Elizabeth Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the girlfriend of Prince William of Wales. Since their relationship first began, Middleton has received widespread media attention and there has been constant speculation that they will eventually marry.

Born in 1982, Middleton grew up in Berkshire, and after attending Marlborough College went to the University of St Andrews. There she met Prince William, also studying there, in 2001. They soon started a relationship, and media attention soon followed, and in 2005 her lawyer complained of harassment. In April 2007, it emerged in the press that William and Middleton had split up. They continued to be friends, and later in 2007 the pair reunited. Since then Middleton has attended many high-profile royal events. She has been admired for her fashion sense, and has been placed on numerous 'best dressed' lists.

Life Facts:  Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, the daughter of Michael Francis Middleton (born 23 June 1949) and Carole Elizabeth (née Goldsmith; born 31 January 1955). Middleton, an airline pilot, and Goldsmith, an air stewardess, had married on 21 June 1980 at the Parish Church in Dorney, Buckinghamshire. Carole Middleton's maternal family, the Harrisons, were working class labourers and miners from County Durham. In 1987, the Middletons founded their own company, Party Pieces, a mail order firm that sells party paraphernalia. They have since become millionaires.

Michael and Carole Middleton had two further children, Philippa "Pippa" Charlotte (born 1983) and James William (born 15 April 1987). Pippa Middleton, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, has received press coverage since her sister became famous, with focus on her relationships and lifestyle. Kate Middleton grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and attended St. Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire followed by Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

In early 2006, it was rumoured that Middleton intended to found her own mail order company. However, a key investor stepped down, and Middleton decided to hold off on this plan. In November 2006, she accepted a position as an assistant accessories buyer with the British clothing chain Jigsaw.

Prince William himself has stated that he does not intend to marry until he is at least 28 or at 30.

In March 2007, the Daily Mail also, for the first time, painted Middleton in an unflattering light. The article claimed that Middleton had started to use her status as Prince William's girlfriend to her advantage, that she had accepted free gifts, such as a £1,000 Burberry Manor bag and a £300 handbag from Melissa del Bono. According to the Daily Mail, Audi gave Middleton a discount after she bargained with them for a new car. Another claim was that she had argued with a parking warden on receiving a ticket and used front doors (after fixing her hair and makeup) to leave night clubs instead of private exits, allowing the paparazzi to take photos, even though she had threatened legal action against photographers in the past. Finally, the article suggested that Middleton had had little contact with her university friends since becoming involved with Prince William.

In September 2007, it was reported that Middleton was planning to give up her job as an accessories buyer to become a professional photographer. Moreover, it was said that she wanted to take some time for herself. Some months later, it was announced that she intended to take private classes with internationally renowned photographer Mario Testino, who had taken several well-known photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons. Middleton and Testino apparently were introduced by Prince William. Testino later denied that Middleton was going to be working for him or had ever worked for him. In December 2007, it was also reported that Middleton had moved in with Prince William at Clarence House, the residence of the Prince of Wales in London. Clarence House later denied this.

In April 2008, Prince William landed his RAF Chinook helicopter in the back garden of Middleton's parents' home. This sparked controversy over the use of RAF equipment being at the prince's disposal.

In April 2008, Middleton attended the RAF Wings ceremony to see Prince William collect his wings from Prince Charles. It was originally suggested that she would not attend, however, her presence at the ceremony soon caused more rumours of an engagement.

On 17 May 2008, Middleton attended the wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly, which Prince William missed to attend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend's brother. On 19 July 2008, Middleton attended the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman. Prince William was away on military operations.

In July 2009, the News of the World revealed that Kate Middleton's maternal uncle offered drugs and prostitutes to their undercover reporters in Ibiza, Spain. Gary Goldsmith, brother to Carole Middleton, was recorded on video proffering drugs, and, among other things, cutting lines of cocaine at his house, the 'Maison de Bang Bang'. Goldsmith claimed that Prince William and Kate had stayed with him at his house in 2006, and even claimed that the two were due back in August 2009.

Career Facts:  In early 2006, it was rumoured that Middleton intended to found her own mail order company. However, a key investor stepped down, and Middleton decided to hold off on this plan. In November 2006, she accepted a position as an assistant accessories buyer with the British clothing chain Jigsaw.

Prince William himself has stated that he does not intend to marry until he is at least 28 or at 30.

In March 2007, the Daily Mail also, for the first time, painted Middleton in an unflattering light. The article claimed that Middleton had started to use her status as Prince William's girlfriend to her advantage, that she had accepted free gifts, such as a £1,000 Burberry Manor bag and a £300 handbag from Melissa del Bono. According to the Daily Mail, Audi gave Middleton a discount after she bargained with them for a new car. Another claim was that she had argued with a parking warden on receiving a ticket and used front doors (after fixing her hair and makeup) to leave night clubs instead of private exits, allowing the paparazzi to take photos, even though she had threatened legal action against photographers in the past. Finally, the article suggested that Middleton had had little contact with her university friends since becoming involved with Prince William.

In September 2007, it was reported that Middleton was planning to give up her job as an accessories buyer to become a professional photographer. Moreover, it was said that she wanted to take some time for herself. Some months later, it was announced that she intended to take private classes with internationally renowned photographer Mario Testino, who had taken several well-known photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons. Middleton and Testino apparently were introduced by Prince William. Testino later denied that Middleton was going to be working for him or had ever worked for him. In December 2007, it was also reported that Middleton had moved in with Prince William at Clarence House, the residence of the Prince of Wales in London. Clarence House later denied this.

In April 2008, Prince William landed his RAF Chinook helicopter in the back garden of Middleton's parents' home. This sparked controversy over the use of RAF equipment being at the prince's disposal.

In April 2008, Middleton attended the RAF Wings ceremony to see Prince William collect his wings from Prince Charles. It was originally suggested that she would not attend, however, her presence at the ceremony soon caused more rumours of an engagement.

On 17 May 2008, Middleton attended the wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly, which Prince William missed to attend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend's brother. On 19 July 2008, Middleton attended the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman. Prince William was away on military operations.

In July 2009, the News of the World revealed that Kate Middleton's maternal uncle offered drugs and prostitutes to their undercover reporters in Ibiza, Spain. Gary Goldsmith, brother to Carole Middleton, was recorded on video proffering drugs, and, among other things, cutting lines of cocaine at his house, the 'Maison de Bang Bang'. Goldsmith claimed that Prince William and Kate had stayed with him at his house in 2006, and even claimed that the two were due back in August 2009.