When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, she became the Duchess of Cambridge. Along with taking a HRH title, she took on the duties of a full-time working royal.
The royal would share the same social rank and status of the King, although she would not have the same political powers.
Analysing the Duchess of Cambridge over the years, body language expert Judi James commented on how Kate might handle the position.
There are many royal protocols and rules that the mother-of-three has followed over the years.
Judi explained she could ensure these rules are stuck to if her role becomes more senior.
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“Kate’s role has grown slowly and carefully,” the expert told Express.co.uk.
“She appears to be a rule-keeper who could evolve into a rule-enforcer once she is queen.
“She could protect protocol and maybe even act as mediator in the family but without becoming stuffy or unapproachable.”
Since joining the family, the Duchess seems to have grown in confidence.
“As a future Queen, Kate’s style should very much depend on the type of royal people will be hoping for.
“So far Kate has not put a foot wrong in terms of her royal role.
“Her styling and her body language are impeccable and – in a world where royals, like celebrities, are chopped down to size on a regular basis – she appears able to avoid anything other than petty criticism.”
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How did Kate Middleton become a royal?
Early life
Kate Middleton, or Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, England.
She was born to Michael and Carole Middleton, a former flight dispatcher and air hostess. The couple founded a party supplies company, Party Pieces, in 1987 – now estimated to be worth £30 million.
Kate has a younger sister Pippa Matthews, 34, and a younger brother James Middleton, 31.
Education
Kate and her family moved to Amman, Jordan, in 1984, where the future Duchess was educated at an English-speaking nursery school.
After moving back to Berkshire the family sent Kate to private school, St Andrews School. She went on to briefly study at Downe House before moving onto Marlborough College where she boarded.
For university the young Kate attended the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. Here she was awarded an undergraduate MA (2:1 Hons) in history of art.
Relationship with Prince William
Kate met Prince William when they were both studying at St Andrews, and both living in St Salvator’s Hall. Famously, William reportedly took a fancy to Kate after she wore a see-through dress during a fashion show.
In 2003 the couple began dating and lived together during their second year of university.
The couple split in April 2007, however, in October they were back together.
Wedding
Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his late mother Princess Diana’s engagement ring in October 2010. The couple were holidaying in Kenya at the time.
On 29 April 2011 they married at Westminster Abbey with a whopping 26 million watching the event live.
Kate wore an Alexander McQueen dress worth a reported £250,000 on the big day.
Kate assumed the title “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge” and also became the Duchess of Cambridge on the day.