Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton was born 9 January 1982 and is the girlfriend of Prince William of Wales. Kate Middleton was raised in Bucklebury, Berkshire, in the south of England, and attended the public school Marlborough College where she gained eleven GCSEs and three A-levels. Like Prince William , Kate Middleton was a student at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.


Kate Middleton graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 (Upper Second-Class Honours) degree in History of Art.


Kate Middleton is the eldest daughter of Michael Middleton, an English businessman, and his wife, Carole. Kate Middleton's parents own Party Pieces, a mail order company that sells party accessories. Kate Middleton has a younger sister, Pippa Middleton, and a younger brother, James Middleton.


Although there was a rumour of her making her own clothing line in 2005, Kate Middleton has only been seen, by the press, attending polo matches, equestrian events, weddings, holidays abroad, nights out at clubs, and shopping.


Girlfriend of Prince William.


While attending the University of St Andrews in 2001, Kate Middleton met Prince William of Wales. At the time, Kate Middleton already had a boyfriend. Prince William and Kate Middleton became flatmates in late 2002, at the beginning of their second year at St Andrews. Kate Middleton and her then-boyfriend broke up around Christmas 2003, and she and Prince William have since been involved in a relationship together.


They were first seen together publicly in an April 2004 ski trip in Klosters. During 2005, the British media speculated that Prince William and Kate Middleton planned to become engaged. It is believed that she has met the Queen at Balmoral, and that she approves of any union between the couple. However, as an engagement has yet to be announced, it is expected that one is unlikely to occur until after Prince William's training at Sandhurst Military Academy finishes at the earliest.


Kate Middleton's status as the girlfriend of Prince William has given her widespread media coverage in the U.K. Kate Middleton is often photographed on her day to day business. On October 17, 2005 she complained about harassment from the media, with her lawyer saying she has done nothing to court publicity. As she is not engaged to Prince William, she is not entitled to protection from the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department.


In December 2005, the German magazine Das Neue published photos of the exterior of Kate Middleton's London flat, thus revealing its location. This prompted a security review by police amidst concerns for her safety and a report in the London Evening Standard that Prince William was considering going to the European Court of Human Rights over concerns for the privacy of Kate Middleton and himself. In February 2006, it was announced that Middleton would receive her own 24-hour protection supplied by the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department. This fuelled speculation that she and Prince William would be getting engaged since she is not entitled to this service. However, no such engagement occurred. She was not awarded a Royal Allowance to fund the payment, but the cost was taken from that of Prince William's father, Prince Charles.


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