Following her marriage, Catherine has undertaken royal duties and commitments in support of the British monarch. She has represented the royal family on official overseas tours and has played a significant role in various charitable activities by undertaking projects through theRoyal Foundation, with her charity work primarily focusing on issues surroundingearly childhood care, addiction, and art. Catherine is patron of multiple charitable and military organisations including theAnna Freud Centre,Action for Children,SportsAid, and theNational Portrait Gallery. To encourage people to discuss theirmental health problems, she envisioned the mental health awareness campaign Heads Together, which she launched with William and her brother-in-lawHarry in April 2016.
Catherine's relationship with the media has been closely scrutinised, particularly regarding her efforts to maintain privacy amid significant media attention and public interest. The media have referred to her impact on British and American fashion as the"Kate Middleton effect".Time listed her as one of themost influential people in the world in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Middleton's family moved fromBradfield Southend,Berkshire, toAmman, Jordan, in May 1984, where Catherine attended an English-language nursery school.[21][22] When her family returned to Berkshire in September 1986, she was enrolled aged four atSt Andrew's School, aprivate school nearPangbourne in Berkshire.[23] Sheboarded part-weekly at St Andrew's in her later years.[24] In 1987 her mother founded Party Pieces, aprivately held mail order company that sold party supplies and decorations.[25][26] In 1995 the family moved to the village ofBucklebury[27][28] where Catherine studied atDowne House School.[29] She was a boarder atMarlborough College, a co-educational boarding school in Wiltshire,[30][31] where she showed talent in sport and was captain of the girls'field hockey team.[32] While attending the school, she was awarded a goldDuke of Edinburgh Award.[33][34] She also underwent an operation on the left side of her head, reportedly to remove alump, during the same period.[35]
In 2001 Middleton metPrince William while they were students in residence atSt Salvator's Hall.[42][b] She reportedly caught William's eye at a charity fashion show at the university in 2002.[44] The couple began dating in 2003.[45] During their second year, Middleton shared a flat with William and two friends.[46] From 2003 until 2005, they both resided at Balgove House on theStrathtyrum estate with two roommates.[47] They began staying at a cottage on the Balmoral estate known asTam-Na-Ghar, which was a gift fromQueen Elizabeth The Queen Mother to William shortly beforeher death. The property has remained a private retreat for the couple in subsequent years.[48] In 2004 the couple briefly split but later rekindled their relationship.[49]
In November 2006, Middleton commenced part-time work for twelve months as an accessories buyer with the clothing chainJigsaw.[50][51] She also worked as a project manager in the family business, where she was responsible for the website and catalogue.[52][53]
Middleton also attended theOrder of the Garter procession at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made aRoyal Knight of the Garter.[61] In July 2008, she was a guest at the wedding ofLady Rose Windsor and George Gilman while William was away on military operations in the Caribbean, serving aboardHMSIron Duke.[62] In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on theBodorgan Estate inAnglesey, Wales, where William resided during hisRAF search and rescue training and subsequent career.[63][64] Before her marriage, Middleton lived with her sister Pippa in an apartment owned by their parents inChelsea, London.[65]
Following their 2011 marriage, the couple usedNottingham Cottage as their London residence.[80] In 2013 they moved into the 20-room Apartment 1A atKensington Palace, renovated over 18 months at a cost of £4.5 million.[81] It became their main residence in 2017.[82] In September 2022, the family moved toAdelaide Cottage in Windsor, where they lived until October 2025.[83]Forest Lodge is their current residence.[84]
In January 2024, Kensington Palace announced that Catherine had undergone planned abdominal surgery at the London Clinic for an undisclosed condition.[94] She postponed engagements through March, prompting public speculation and conspiracy theories.[95]
On 22 March, in a video message, Catherine revealed that post-operative tests had found cancer and that she had begun chemotherapy in late February.[96] Her leave was extended as treatment continued.[97]
Catherine returned to public view at Trooping the Colour in June.[98] In September, she announced the end of chemotherapy and her intention to resume duties.[99] In October, she met families of the victims of the2024 Southport stabbings in her first official engagement since treatment.[100] In January 2025, following a visit to theRoyal Marsden Hospital, where she had received treatment, Catherine confirmed she was in remission from cancer.[101]
Duchess of Cambridge
Within the United Kingdom
Middleton made her first public appearance with Prince William following their engagement announcement in November 2010 at a fundraiser organised by theTeenage Cancer Trust in December.[102] She made her first official public appearance in February 2011 when the couple attended a lifeboat-naming ceremony inTrearddur.[103][104] In March 2011, the couple touredBelfast.[105]
Catherine's first official engagement after her wedding came in May that year when she and William met U.S. presidentBarack Obama and his wife,Michelle, atBuckingham Palace.[106] Reporters noted that warm words had been exchanged between the two families.[107] In October 2011, she undertook her first solo engagement at a reception forIn Kind Direct, hosted at Clarence House, stepping in forPrince Charles.[108] In March 2012, Catherine gave her first public speech at the opening of a children's hospice opened by her patronage, East Anglia's Children's Hospices.[109][110] She and William were announced as ambassadors for the2012 Summer Olympics in London.[111] As part of her role, Catherine attended numerous sporting events throughout the games.[112] She and William also attended celebrations ofQueen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee throughout 2012 including theThames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in July.[113][114]
In February 2019, alongside William, she undertook a two-day visit of Northern Ireland, visiting Belfast,Fermanagh, andBallymena.[115] The purpose of the visit was to celebrate the country's youth and acknowledge the progress made in overcoming the region's divisions over the past twenty years.[116] In June of the same year, Catherine took the royal first salute, typically received by the Queen, at theBeating Retreat military pageant.[117]
In October 2020, she and William met PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and his wife,Olena Zelenska, at Buckingham Palace, the first royal engagement there since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.[118] The meeting was well received, with Zelensky later thanking the couple for their support for Ukraine and its people.[119] In December, the couple embarked on a three-day tour of England, Scotland, and Wales via theBritish Royal Train to honour the work of individuals and organisations nationwide.[120][121]Boris Johnson expressed his support for the initiative, while First Minister of ScotlandNicola Sturgeon criticised the tour, citing travel restrictions; UK, Scottish and Welsh governments were consulted before planning the tour.[122][123]
Catherine and William attended theG7 summit for the first time in June 2021 inCornwall.[124] She also metJill Biden for the first time, marked by a warm welcome, as they toured Connor Downs Academy engaging with students and discussing early education initiatives in a roundtable discussion.[125][126]
Catherine and William's firstroyal tour of Canada took place in June–July 2011.[127] The tour's two-day trip to California was also her first visit to the United States.[128]Nicholas Witchell, writing forBBC News, described the tour as an "unqualified success", noting the couple's relaxed approach—from tree planting to street hockey—charmed the public and bolstered support for the monarchy.[129]In September 2012, the couple embarked on a tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands to commemorate Elizabeth II'sDiamond Jubilee across the Commonwealth.[130] During this overseas visit, she made her first official speech abroad, while visiting a hospice in Malaysia, drawing on her experience as patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices.[131]
The couple and their son visited Australia and New Zealand in April 2014.[132] The prime minister of Australia,Tony Abbott, referred to their tour as "one of the very best royal visits" Australia had experienced.[133] In June, they visited France to attend an event commemorating 70 years since theNormandy landings atGold Beach.[134] The couple visited the United States in December that year.[135] The tour was a success, featuring diplomatic engagements such as a visit to theNational September 11 Memorial & Museum, the couple's personal interests and attending an NBA match between theBrooklyn Nets and theCleveland Cavaliers.[136][137]
In October 2015, Catherine attended her firststate banquet at Buckingham Palace, held to host Chinese presidentXi Jinping.[138][139] In April 2016, she and William undertook a tour to India and Bhutan.[140] In October that year, Catherine made her first solo overseas trip to The Netherlands.[141] Countries visited by the couple in 2017 include France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium.[142][143][144] Their tour to Germany and Poland was successful, with the author Katie Nicholl referring to it as a "P.R. victory for Britain".[145] She visitedLuxembourg City in May 2017 for theTreaty of London commemorations.[146] In January 2018, the couple visited Sweden and Norway.[147] The couple visited Pakistan in October 2019; it was the royal family's first visit to the country in 13 years.[148] The tour was a success, helping promote diplomatic relations with Pakistan while also reflecting the couple's personal interests in climate change and the significance of quality education.[149] In March 2020, they carried out a three-day tour of Ireland, visiting three ofthe country's counties.[150]
In February 2022, Catherine visited Denmark to learn about the country's plans for the social and emotional development of young people and also to celebrate milestones of both countries' monarchs.[151] In March that year, she and William embarked on a tour of Belize, The Bahamas and Jamaica to commemorateElizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.[152]Reparations for slavery emerged as a major demand of public protesters during the couple's visit.[153]
Princess of Wales
In September 2022, Catherine and William visited Anglesey andSwansea which marked their first visit to Wales since becomingPrincess andPrince of Wales.[154] In February 2023, they visitedFalmouth marking their first visit to the region since becoming Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.[155] In September 2025, during theUS state visit, Catherine and First LadyMelania Trump presented badges and interacted with Scouts of theSquirrel group atFrogmore Gardens in what was described byCNN as a "more humanising moment".[156][157]
Catherine has been involved with charity work both before and after her marriage. In 2007 she curated a photography exhibition to mark the book launch ofTime to Reflect byAlistair Morrison, raising funds forUNICEF.[158] In 2008 she visited Naomi's House Hospice, where she spent time with children.[159] Later that year, she organised a 1980s-themedroller disco fundraiser which raised £100,000, split betweenOxford Children's Hospital and the mental health charity Place2Be.[160] While working for her parents' company, she organised events for theStarlight Children's Foundation, which helps terminally ill youth.[161] She also helped coordinate theBoodles Boxing Ball, which raised money for the charity.[162]
Following her marriage, Catherine assumed royal duties and commitments in support of the British monarch.[163] In March 2011, she and William established a gift fund through The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, allowing well-wishers to donate to 26 chosen charities in lieu of gifts.[164][165][166] In June 2012, the foundation was renamed to reflect Catherine's contribution to the charity.[167] The foundation was renamedThe Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales in September 2022.[168]
With William attending a Commonwealth Big Lunch at St Luke's Community Centre inIslington, March 2018
Catherine is a keen sportswoman and attendsWimbledon annually.[185][186][187] She has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016.[188] Catherine, who enjoyssailing, has occasionally taken part in the sport to raise money for charity.[189] In 2012, alongside William and his brotherHarry, Catherine launched Coach Core. The programme was set up following the2012 Olympics to provide apprenticeship opportunities for people who desire to pursue a career as a professional coach.[190] In 2014 she and William were awarded Honorary Life Membership of theMarylebone Cricket Club (MCC).[191] In July 2019, she supported Backyard Nature, a campaign encouraging children, families and communities to engage with nature.[192] In February 2022, she became patron of theRugby Football Union and theRugby Football League, both governing bodies that were previously supported by Prince Harry.[193]
Military and armed forces
In 2014 Catherine wrote the foreword forLiving in the Slipstream: Life as an RAF Wife, whose proceeds raised money for charity.[194] In December 2015, she assumed patronage of theRoyal Air Force Air Cadets[195] for youths 12–19 years of age. TheDuke of Edinburgh, who had been patron of the RAF Cadets for 63 years, formally handed over during an audience at Buckingham Palace.[196] Since then, she has made visits to their base inCambridgeshire[197] and celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2016.[198] In October 2022, she became patron ofPreet Chandi, a medical officer in the British Army, who aimed to complete a 1,000-mile solo expedition in the South Pole after finishing a 700-mile journey in the continent earlier that year.[199]
Health and medical initiatives
In her capacity as patron ofAction on Addiction, Catherine has occasionally made visits to its centres, spending time with recovering addicts.[200][201][202] In October 2012, she, alongside Action on Addiction, launched the M-PACT programme (Moving Parents and Children Together), one of the only UK programmes to focus specifically on the impact ofdrug addiction on families.[203] In June 2021, Catherine was announced as patron ofThe Forward Trust after its merger with Action on Addiction.[204] As patron, she launched a campaign titled "Taking Action on Addiction".[205]
Catherine has worked extensively in children'spalliative care alongside East Anglia's Children's Hospices.[216][217] She has carried out engagements to raise awareness of Children's Hospice Week since 2013.[218] In January 2025, she was announced as joint royal patron of theRoyal Marsden Hospital alongside Prince William, who has been its president since 2007.[219] Later that month, Catherine was also announced as patron ofTŷ Hafan, a children's hospice centre in Wales.[220]
Photography
Catherine has called herself an "enthusiastic amateur photographer"[221] and has taken official portraits of her children, as well as other members of the royal family.[222] In 2019 she supported workshops run by the Royal Photographic Society, in partnership with Action for Children, to highlight the effect of photography in expressing thoughts in young people.[223] As patron of the Royal Photographic Society she and other photographers took part in an exhibition that marked 75 years since the end of the Holocaust.[224] Photos taken by Catherine of the Holocaust survivors were later included in an exhibition at theImperial War Museum.[225] Catherine curated an exhibition of Victorian photography at the National Portrait Gallery with a thematic focus on childhood.[226] In May 2020, she launched "Hold Still", a project to capture people's life duringlockdown, which received 31,000 submissions.[227] In October 2020, the selected portraits were displayed on 112 public sites, including billboards, murals, and posters, across 80 towns and cities.[228] The photographs were later published in a book titledHold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020, with a foreword written by Catherine, on 7 May 2021.[229]
Community causes
Catherine has been hosting a Christmas carol concert calledTogether At Christmas annually at Westminster Abbey since December 2021 with the theme varying each year.[230] In March 2022 amid theRussian invasion of Ukraine, Catherine and William made a donation to help the refugees.[231] In February 2023, they donated to theDisasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which was helping victims of the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.[232] In July 2024, she and William made donations to help victims ofHurricane Beryl.[233]
Environmental causes
Catherine has emphasised the importance of environmental sustainability and the benefits of spending time in nature.[234][235]She designed the "Back to Nature Garden" together with thelandscape architects Andree Davies and Adam White in 2019.[236][237] The garden was later expanded and moved toHampton Court Palace as a part of theHampton Court Palace Flower Show,[238] before being shown at the Back to Nature Festival atRHS Garden Wisley.[239] A playground, inspired by the "Back to Nature" garden, was built on the Sandringham Estate in 2021.[240] In May 2023, Catherine hosted the first children's picnic at theChelsea Flower Show for students from ten primary schools who were participating in theRoyal Horticultural Society's Campaign for School Gardening.[241][242]
Catherine has tackled issues surrounding mental health and disabilities and has previously made visits to charities and hospitals such asSt Thomas' Hospital and theMaurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute to spend time with mothers and children who deal with these issues.[243][244] She has also been credited with raising national awareness of children's mental health; Benita Refson, president of Place2Be, has praised her work, saying that she would "shine the spotlight on child mental health", whilePeter Fonagy, CEO of theAnna Freud Centre has called her one of the most important figures in the field, and stated that "to the millions of children who have been suffering in silence, she is their voice".[245][246] In recognition of their work with charities concerned with children's mental health, Catherine and William were awarded the GoldBlue Peter badge, an award previously granted to Queen Elizabeth II.[247] To encourage people to open up about their mental health issues, Catherine, William and Harry initiated the mental health awareness campaign "Heads Together" in April 2016.[248] She later voluntarily talked about her struggles as a mother, and admitted that she suffered a "lack of confidence" and "feelings of ignorance" during certain periods of time.[248][249]
Catherine has discussed her experiences with "mum guilt" in balancing work/life commitments, and described bringing her newborn home from the hospital for the first time as "terrifying".[250] She has also highlighted the importance of "a happy home" and "a safe environment" for children, and described her "passion" for the outdoors, referencing it as an asset to building childhood wellbeing and developmental foundations.[251] She launched the Mentally Healthy Schools website, which provides staff and students with resources to support mental health.[252] After two years of development, the website had more than 250,000 visitors accessing its resources.[253][254] Catherine guest-editedHuffPost UK as part of an effort to raise awareness for children's mental health issues.[255][256]
In 2019 Catherine worked with the Royal Horticultural Society as one of the co-designers for a garden display at the Chelsea Flower Show.[257] In May 2019, as a part of their "Heads Together" initiative, Catherine, her husband and her in-laws launched Shout, a text messaging service for those who have mental issues.[258] In March 2020, she and William started supporting a new mental health initiative by the Public Health England amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[259] In April 2020, the couple announced Our Frontline, an initiative providing mental health support to emergency medical workers.[260]
Catherine made a surprise appearance onCBeebies Bedtime Stories, where she readThe Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson as part of the conclusion of Children's Mental Health Week in February 2022.[261] In May that year, she became patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.[262] In October, to mark World Mental Health Day, she and William took overNewsbeat and interviewed four guests on topics related to mental health.[263] The following year, the couple took part in a forum for young people in Birmingham, alongside BBC Radio 1 and a charity called The Mix, calledExploring our Emotional Worlds continuing their longstanding work to promote mental well-being.[264] In December 2024, she and William announced that they were jointly funding a pilot scheme with the charity Norfolk and Waveney Mind to offer extra support for rural and farming communities on theSandringham estate.[265]
In May 2025, Catherine launched a seasonal video series titledMother Nature to highlight nature's role in mental well-being, encouraging the public to reconnect with the natural world amid growing digital pressures.[266]
Early years and childhood development
WithJill Biden at Connor Downs Academy, Cornwall, June 2021
During the initial years of her charity work, Catherine became interested in the connection between the first five years of childhood and conditions such as homelessness, mental health, and addiction in later life.[267] In March 2018, she hosted a symposium with theRoyal Society of Medicine, focusing on children's health, and launched the Early Years Intervention Support initiative.[268] In May that year, she established the Early Years Steering Group.[269][270] In January 2020, Catherine launched "5 Big Questions on the Under 5's", a nationwide survey on development during early years.[271] The survey was conducted byIpsos MORI and contained "further qualitative and ethnographic research" on the early years.[272] It received more than 500,000 responses.[273] The results of the survey were released in November 2020.[274] The findings outlined five key topics surroundingearly childhood, including parental mental health and wider community health and support.[275] In July 2020, she supported and assisted in the development of BBC's "Tiny Happy People" initiative, providing free digital resources to parents with young children.[276] In August 2020, she headed a donation drive to benefit baby banks nationwide which spurred more than 10,000 donations.[277][278] In June 2021, Catherine launched theRoyal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to conduct work, research, and campaigns with other organisations on issues surrounding the early years.[279]
In February 2022, Catherine visited Denmark on behalf of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.[280][281][282] In June that year, she hosted her first roundtable discussion with politicians on early childhood development.[283] In January 2023, Catherine launched the Shaping Us initiative through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, a long-term campaign aimed at raising awareness about early childhood development and its importance.[284] In November that year, she delivered the keynote speech at The Shaping Us National Symposium held at The Design Museum in London.[285] In October 2025, Catherine co-authored an essay with ProfessorRobert J. Waldinger ofHarvard Medical School, encouraging parents to limit children's screen time to support early childhood relationships.[286]
Catherine, prominent for her fashion style, has been placed on numerous "best dressed" lists.[287] She toppedTatler's best-dressed list in 2022,[288] and was ranked first by the magazine on its list of the most glamorous European royals in 2024.[289] Her style has evolved from more conservative choices in the early years of her public life to a sophisticated and elegant wardrobe, often featuring designs byAlexander McQueen,Jenny Packham,Catherine Walker and international designers such asDolce & Gabbana andGucci.[290][291][292] The 'Kate Middleton effect' is the trend she is reported to have had on the sales of particular products and brands.[293][294][295][296] In 2021 it was reported that Catherine boosted the British fashion industry up to £1 billion within a year.[293]
Public opinion and influence
Catherine's influence has made her a significant asset to the royal family's public image.Camilla Tominey ofThe Daily Telegraph described her as "the monarchy's greatest asset", whilePetronella Wyatt of the same paper called her "the jewel in the crown".[297][298][299]Rhonda Garelick ofThe New York Times also noted her ability to balance modernity with traditional royal norms.[300] On Catherine's 40th birthday, her aides toldThe Times she avoids PR advice and "will never do something because she thinks the media will like it".[301]Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, her and William's former private secretary, said she has "an almost old-fashioned, Queen Mother attitude to drama – she just doesn't do it."[301] She has been described as influential byThe Times who noted that like Queen Elizabeth II andPrince Philip, andKing Charles III andQueen Camilla, she and William are "a good double act."[302]
Time magazine listed Catherine as one of the100 most influential people in the world in 2011, 2012, and 2013.[303] In 2011 and 2024 she was one of the runners-up for the magazine'sPerson of the Year award.[304][305] From 2023 to 2025,The Independent included Catherine on its "Influence List".[306] In December 2022, she was found to be the second most liked member of the royal family by the statistics and polling companyYouGov,[307] while anIpsos favourability poll in April 2023 ranked her first.[308] In April 2024, YouGov ranked her as the most popular royal.[309] That year, Catherine was the most searched person onGoogle Search in the United Kingdom and the second globally.[310][311] In May 2025, Catherine was named to theTime 100 Health list for her cancer awareness work.[312] That month, she and William featured on the inauguralTime 100 Philanthropy list.[313] The Royal Horticultural Society also launched a rose namedCatherine's Rose, bred byHarkness Roses, in her honour to support theRoyal Marsden Hospital.[314] In June, she and William toppedTatler's social power index.[315]
Privacy and the media
Thedeath of Diana, Princess of Wales, while being chased by the paparazzi in 1997 has shaped Catherine and William's guarded stance towards the media.[316][317] They have repeatedly asked for privacy when off-duty.[317]
In April 2004,The Sun published pictures of Middleton with William at a ski resort, identifying her as his girlfriend.[318] Following her graduation, she was frequently targeted by paparazzi and complained of harassment and intrusive media presence outside her home.[319][320][321]
Between 2005 and 2006, Middleton's phone was reportedly hacked 155 times by theNews of the World, according to its former royal editorClive Goodman, during a widerphone hacking scandal targeting the royal family.[322] In 2006 her lawyers issued further warnings following the publication of unauthorised photographs taken during a shopping trip.[323]
In January 2007, increased media attention around Middleton's 25th birthday led to legal warnings from Prince William, Prince Charles, and her lawyers over press harassment.[324][320] Some newspapers agreed to stop using paparazzi images.[325] In March, a complaint to thePress Complaints Commission (PCC) over a photo taken through harassment led to a settlement and warning.[326][327] In July,MPs criticised the PCC for failing to protect her from "persistent harassment".[328]
In 2010 Middleton pursued a privacy claim against two agencies and the photographer Niraj Tanna over tennis photographs taken during Christmas 2009. The case concluded with £5,000 in damages, legal costs, and an apology.[329][330] In 2011 close associates of the private investigatorJonathan Rees alleged that he had targeted Middleton during her relationship with Prince William.[331]
In May 2011, the Middleton family complained to the PCC after photographs of Catherine and her family in swimwear during a 2006 holiday were published in several newspapers.[332] The family argued that the images breached privacy and the editors' code of practice. In September, a deal was reached for the photos to be removed from the newspapers' websites and not published again.[333]
In September 2012, the French edition ofCloser, Italian magazineChi and theIrish Daily Star published topless photos of Catherine sunbathing atChâteau d'Autet.[334][335] William and Catherine filed a criminal complaint and civil suit in Nanterre.[336] A court granted an injunction banning further publication and launched a criminal inquiry.[337] In 2017Closer was fined €100,000, and its editor and owner €45,000 each.[338]
In December 2012, Australian radio hostsMichael Christian andMel Greig impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles in a call to King Edward VII's Hospital, where Catherine was being treated for hyperemesis gravidarum. They obtained information from a nurse on her ward. After a public backlash and hospital inquiry,Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who transferred the call, died by suicide.[339] The hosts later apologised.[340]
With William being photographed by members of the press during their 2016 royal tour of Canada
In February 2013,Chi published photos of Catherine's exposed pregnant belly, taken during a holiday on the private island ofMustique. The British press declined to publish them.[341] In October 2014, Catherine and William issued a legal warning to a freelance photographer for "harassing and following" their son George and his nanny.[342] In August 2015,Kensington Palace released a letter describing the media's "dangerous" efforts to photograph George and Charlotte.[343]
In March 2019, the royal family issued social media guidelines following online abuse directed at Catherine and her sister-in-law Meghan.[344] In May 2020, Kensington Palace criticised aTatler article about Catherine as inaccurate, leading the magazine to amend its online version after legal pressure.[345]
In March 2024, theAssociated Press,AFP,Reuters andGetty Images withdrew a Mother's Day photograph of Catherine and her children due to concerns over digital manipulation.[346] Catherine later admitted to editing the image and apologised for the confusion.[347] The incident occurred shortly before she revealed her cancer diagnosis and treatment.[348] Later that month, theLondon Clinic launched an investigation after reports that staff had attempted to access her private medical records.[349]
In October 2025, Prince Harry named Catherine and William in his court case againstAssociated Newspapers, asserting that private investigators had been employed to collect information on them in the past, including Catherine’s mobile phone number and other personal details.[350] Later that month, she and William won a privacy case in France againstParis Match over unauthorised photos from a family ski trip in the Alps.[351]
Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022, and Catherine's father-in-law succeeded as Charles III.[355] Catherine becameDuchess of Cornwall andDuchess of Rothesay.[356][357] Thus, she was briefly referred to by the title "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge".[358] The following day, on 9 September 2022, the King announced William's appointment as Prince of Wales andEarl of Chester, thereby making Catherine Princess of Wales and Countess of Chester. She has since been known as "Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales", and as "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Rothesay" in Scotland.[359][360]
^Initially, the media reported her first name as "Kate", a diminutive of "Catherine".[1] Despite later changes to her name and titles, the public continued to use "Kate Middleton".[2][3][4] The British media used "Kate" in their articles as a result ofsearch engine optimisation.[5] In November 2025, theBBC apologised to Catherine after receiving numerous complaints for failing to refer to her by her correct name and title.[6]
^The author Katie Nicholl suggests that the couple met before going to St Andrews through mutual friends while Middleton was a student at Marlborough College.[43]
^Epstein, Jennifer; Budoff Brown, Carrie (24 May 2011)."The Obamas meet Will and Kate".Politico.Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved1 June 2024.
^Ward, Victoria (22 June 2024)."Aristocratic roots of Peter Phillips' NHS nurse girlfriend revealed".The Daily Telegraph.Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved5 October 2024.The Princess of Wales' great-grandmother, Olive Middleton, was close to her second cousin, Baroness Airedale, and was photographed in 1927 ...
^Lacey, Robert (2021).Battle of Brothers (2nd ed.). HarperCollins Publishers, London. pp. 62, 553.ISBN978-0-00-840854-1. Retrieved30 August 2021.(Chapter 6 "Party Pieces" and Source Notes) Michael E. Reed has published his fascinating research into the aristocratic ancestry of the Middleton family in theDaily Telegraph and theGuardian and kindly supplied me with photographs of Baroness Airedale ["a distant ancestor of Michael Middleton" - Chapter 6, page 62] in her costume for the coronation of 1911.
The generations include wives of princes descended fromGeorge I, who formalised the use of the titlesprince andprincess for members of the British royal family.
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