Kate Middleton

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

During their time 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 scored highly in both her school and university exams, will have been all too aware that the bubble of privacy would burst as soon as they graduated, however.

Upon completing their education the two moved to London where, as expected, they found themselves facing an array of 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 calm and dignity. She was born - the eldest of three children - on January 9, 1982, to Carol, a former air stewardess, and Michael, growing up in a modest middle class home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, where her family run a children's party supplies business. And 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 appeared to be going 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 her grandson's choice of partner.

By early spring 2006 speculation abounded that the couple would soon become engaged, with one High Street department store even going so far as to commission commemorative memorabilia. It came as a shock to royal watchers, therefore, when it was announced on April 14, that the pair had called time on the romance and were to go their separate ways.

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

With reports abound that the pair had indeed decided to give their romance a second chance, Kate and her royal beau were careful to conduct their relationship out of the limelight, rarely being seen out clubbing at their old haunts together.

In late 2007, Kate resigned from her job at Jigsaw and expressed an interest in pursuing a career in photography.