The Duchess of Cambridge

Kate Middleton's wedding to Prince William

Signing up for a degree in History of Art at St Andrews brought her into the orbit of William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor, second in line to the British throne and Britain's future king. As housemates sharing a cottage in the Scottish town, Kate and the Prince fell for each other, and embarked on a romance that became a source of intense media interest across the world.

At St Andrews the two were protected from tabloid scrutiny by a gentleman's agreement between newspaper editors and the royal household. The slender brunette, who did well in both her school and university exams, would have been all too aware the bubble of privacy would burst as soon as they graduated, however.

University over, the two moved to London where they found themselves facing new challenges. Kate set up home in the capital and accepted a position as a junior buyer with High Street fashion chain Jigsaw. Her statuesque beau meanwhile threw himself into the rigours of military training.

While her sudden celebrity can't have been easy for the young graduate, she handled herself with poise and dignity. She was born - the eldest of three children - on January 9, 1982, to Carol, a former air stewardess, and businessman Michael, growing up in a modest middle class home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, where her family run a children's party supplies business. As a child she demonstrated the calm competence and strength of character which would serve her so well in the future, with childhood friends describing her as a kind-hearted and sensible soul who rarely caused upset among her peers.

The romance between the middle-class lass and her blue-blooded beau went from strength to strength, with Kate joining William, along with his father and brother, on several skiing holidays. She was also presented to the Queen, who was said to be much taken to her grandson's choice of partner.

By early spring 2006, speculation was rife that an engagement announcement was imminent, with one High Street store even going so far as to commission commemorative memorabilia. It came as a shock to royal watchers, therefore, to discover on April 14 that the pair had called time on the romance and were to go their own ways.

The separation didn't last long, however. By June there was speculation they'd rekindled their romance. And this seemed to be confirmed when in July Kate, accompanied by her mum, attended the Concert For Diana at Wembley Stadium - although the couple sat two rows apart and insisted they were "just good friends".

With reports they'd decided to give their romance a second chance filling the papers, Kate and her royal beau were careful to conduct their relationship out of the limelight, and were rarely seen out clubbing together at their old haunts.

In late 2007, Kate resigned from her job at Jigsaw and later went on to take up a production post with her parent's firm. Working for mum and dad meant she was able to take time out to join the Prince on foreign holidays, support him on the sidelines at polo matches and attend family events as their relationship once again grew in strength.

In November 2010, Clarence House confirmed that Prince William had proposed to Kate a month earlier, and that the couple were engaged and set to marry.

On April 29 2011, Kate officially stepped into the royal circle and left her previous life as a commoner behind.

Dubbed the wedding of the century, the bride was radiant on her big day as she stepped out in a Alexander McQueen ivory lace and silk dress which had been intricately fashioned by Sarah Burton.  

In a foliage-filled Westminster Abbey, Kate walked the aisle towards her Prince who was visibly moved as he set eyes on her and mouthed: "You look beautiful". 

Kate said "I do" to her Prince, and swiftly retired from the public eye to begin her new life as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.