History of Catherine, Princess of Wales in Timeline

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Catherine, Princess of Wales

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is a prominent member of the British royal family as the wife of William, Prince of Wales. As such, she is in line to be Queen Consort. She engages in royal duties and charitable work, and is known for her style and public appearances.

2 hours ago : Royal Family Easter: Sophie's Absence, Andrew's Omission, and Charles's Sweet Charlotte Moment.

The Royal Family's Easter service saw Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, absent. Prince Andrew and his family were also not present. King Charles shared a special greeting with Princess Charlotte during the celebration. The focus remained on family despite absences.

1911: Lupton Family Invited to Coronation

In 1911, Catherine's paternal great-grandmother Olive Middleton (née Lupton) and her first cousin once removed Baroness von Schunck (née Kate Lupton) were invited to the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.

1942: Death of Baroness Airedale

In 1942, Baroness Airedale died. Catherine's father, Michael, is the son of Peter Middleton, whose Middleton forebears were from Leeds, West Yorkshire.

January 1982: Birth at Royal Berkshire Hospital

In January 1982, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

January 1982: Catherine Elizabeth Middleton Born

In January 1982, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born. She later became Catherine, Princess of Wales.

1983: Birth of Sister Philippa

In 1983, Catherine's younger sister, Philippa ('Pippa'), was born.

1984: Move to Amman, Jordan

In 1984, the Middleton family moved from Bradfield Southend, Berkshire, to Amman, Jordan, where Catherine attended nursery school.

September 1986: Return to Berkshire and Enrollment at St Andrew's School

In September 1986, the Middleton family returned to Berkshire, and Catherine was enrolled at St Andrew's School.

1987: Mother Founds Party Pieces

In 1987, Catherine's mother founded Party Pieces, a mail-order company.

1987: Birth of Brother James

In 1987, Catherine's younger brother, James, was born.

1995: Relocation to Bucklebury

In 1995, the Middleton family relocated to Bucklebury, and Catherine continued her education.

1997: Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

In 1997, the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, while being pursued by paparazzi, shaped Catherine and William's cautious approach to the media.

2001: Meeting Prince William

In 2001, Catherine Middleton met Prince William while they were students at St Salvator's Hall.

2002: Charity Fashion Show

In 2002, Catherine reportedly caught Prince William's attention at a charity fashion show at the University of St Andrews.

2003: Start of Dating Relationship

In 2003, Catherine and Prince William began dating.

April 2004: Published Photographs with William

In April 2004, The Sun published photographs of Catherine and William at a ski resort, identifying her as his girlfriend.

2004: Brief Separation

In 2004, Catherine and Prince William briefly separated before resuming their relationship.

2005: Phone Hacking

Between 2005 and 2006, Catherine's phone was reportedly hacked 155 times by the News of the World, according to its former royal editor, Clive Goodman.

2005: Living at Balgove House

From 2003 until 2005, Catherine and Prince William lived at Balgove House on the Strathtyrum estate with two roommates.

2005: Graduation from University

In 2005, Catherine graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Master of Arts (2:1 Hons) in art history.

2005: Graduation from University of St Andrews

In 2005, Catherine graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in art history.

November 2006: Joins Jigsaw as Accessories Buyer

In November 2006, Catherine began working part-time for 12 months as an accessories buyer with the clothing chain Jigsaw.

December 2006: Attendance at William's Passing Out Parade

In December 2006, Catherine attended William's Passing Out Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

2006: Warnings Following Publication of Unauthorized Photographs

In 2006, Catherine's lawyers issued further warnings following the publication of unauthorised photographs taken during a shopping trip.

2006: Swimwear photographs during a holiday

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.

January 2007: Legal Warnings Over Press Harassment

In January 2007, heightened media attention around Catherine's 25th birthday prompted legal warnings from William, Charles, and her lawyers over press harassment.

April 2007: End of Relationship

In April 2007, Catherine and William ended their relationship.

2007: Curated Photography Exhibition for UNICEF

In 2007, Catherine curated a photography exhibition to mark the launch of "Time to Reflect" by Alistair Morrison, raising funds for UNICEF.

May 2008: Attends Wedding of Peter Phillips

In May 2008, Catherine attended the wedding of William's cousin Peter Phillips to Autumn Kelly in William's place, meeting Queen Elizabeth II for the first time.

June 2008: Attends Order of the Garter Procession

In June 2008, Catherine attended the Order of the Garter procession at Windsor Castle, where William was made a Royal Knight of the Garter.

July 2008: Attends Wedding of Lady Rose Windsor

In July 2008, Catherine was a guest at the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman while William was serving in the Caribbean aboard HMS Iron Duke.

2008: Visited Naomi House Children's Hospice and Organized Roller Disco Fundraiser

In 2008, Catherine visited Naomi House Children's Hospice. Later that year, she organized a 1980s-themed roller disco fundraiser that raised £100,000 for Oxford Children's Hospital and Place2Be.

June 2010: Move to Cottage in Anglesey, Wales

In June 2010, Catherine and William moved into a cottage on the Bodorgan Estate in Anglesey, Wales.

October 2010: Engagement to Prince William

In October 2010, Catherine and William became engaged at a remote alpine cabin on Mount Kenya.

November 2010: Public Appearance at Teenage Cancer Trust Fundraiser

In November 2010, Catherine made her first public appearance with William following their engagement announcement at a fundraiser organised by the Teenage Cancer Trust.

November 2010: Engagement Announcement

In November 2010, Catherine's engagement to Prince William was announced.

2010: Privacy Claim Over Tennis Photographs

In 2010, Catherine pursued a privacy claim against two agencies and the photographer Niraj Tanna over tennis photographs taken during Christmas 2009.

February 2011: First Official Public Appearance

In February 2011, Catherine made her first official public appearance when she and William attended a lifeboat-naming ceremony in Trearddur.

March 2011: Established Gift Fund for Charities

In March 2011, Catherine and William established a gift fund through The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, allowing well-wishers to donate to 26 selected charities in lieu of wedding gifts.

April 2011: Marriage at Westminster Abbey

In April 2011, Catherine married Prince William at Westminster Abbey and became the Duchess of Cambridge.

April 2011: Marriage and Title Acquisition

Upon her marriage in April 2011, Catherine became a Princess of the United Kingdom, as well as Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, and Baroness Carrickfergus; she also received the style of Royal Highness.

May 2011: Complaint to PCC over Swimwear Photographs

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, arguing that the images breached privacy.

July 2011: Royal Tour of Canada and Visit to California

In July 2011, Catherine and William embarked on their first royal tour of Canada, which included a two-day visit to California, marking Catherine's first trip to the United States. The tour was considered a success, enhancing support for the monarchy.

2011: Listed Among Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2011, Catherine was listed among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

2011: Named one of Time's most influential people

In 2011, Catherine was named one of Time's most influential people.

March 2012: First Public Speech

In March 2012, Catherine gave her first public speech at the opening of a children's hospice supported by her patronage, East Anglia's Children's Hospices.

June 2012: Foundation Renamed to Reflect Catherine's Involvement

In June 2012, The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry was renamed to reflect Catherine's involvement.

September 2012: Publication of Topless Photographs and Legal Action

In September 2012, the French edition of Closer, the Italian magazine Chi, and the Irish Daily Star published topless photographs of Catherine sunbathing at Château d'Autet, leading to a criminal complaint and civil suit.

October 2012: Launched the M-PACT Programme

In October 2012, Catherine helped launch the M-PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) program, one of the few UK initiatives addressing the impact of parental addiction on families.

December 2012: Radio Hoax and Nurse's Suicide

In December 2012, Australian radio hosts impersonated Elizabeth II and Charles in a call to King Edward VII's Hospital, where Catherine was being treated. Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who transferred the call, later died by suicide.

December 2012: Announcement of First Pregnancy

In December 2012, St James's Palace announced that Catherine was pregnant with her first child, Prince George.

2012: Listed Among Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2012, Catherine was listed among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

2012: Named one of Time's most influential people

In 2012, Catherine was named one of Time's most influential people.

2012: Launched Coach Core Programme

In 2012, Catherine, William, and Harry launched Coach Core, a program established after the 2012 Olympics to provide apprenticeships for young people aspiring to careers in sports coaching.

February 2013: Publication of Pregnant Belly Photographs

In February 2013, Chi published photographs of Catherine's exposed pregnant belly, taken during a holiday on the private island of Mustique.

July 2013: Birth of Prince George

In July 2013, Catherine gave birth to Prince George at St Mary's Hospital, London.

2013: Move to Kensington Palace

In 2013, Catherine and William moved into Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.

2013: Listed Among Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2013, Catherine was listed among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

2013: Named one of Time's most influential people

In 2013, Catherine was named one of Time's most influential people.

2013: Supported Children's Hospice Week annually

Since 2013, Catherine has supported Children's Hospice Week annually, furthering her involvement in children's palliative care.

April 2014: Visit to Australia and New Zealand

In April 2014, Catherine, William, and their son visited Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Prime Minister described the tour as one of the best royal visits the country had hosted.

October 2014: Legal Warning for Harassment of Prince George

In October 2014, Catherine and William issued a legal warning to a freelance photographer for "harassing and following" their son George and his nanny.

2014: Awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club

In 2014, Catherine and William were awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

2014: Wrote Foreword for 'Living in the Slipstream: Life as an RAF Wife'

In 2014, Catherine wrote the foreword for "Living in the Slipstream: Life as an RAF Wife", with proceeds supporting charity.

May 2015: Birth of Princess Charlotte

In May 2015, Catherine gave birth to Princess Charlotte.

August 2015: Kensington Palace Letter Describing Media Attempts to Photograph Children

In August 2015, Kensington Palace released a letter describing the media's dangerous attempts to photograph George and Charlotte.

October 2015: Attended First State Banquet

In October 2015, Catherine attended her first state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honour of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

December 2015: Assumed Patronage of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets

In December 2015, Catherine assumed patronage of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, following the Duke of Edinburgh's 63-year tenure. The handover occurred during an audience at Buckingham Palace.

April 2016: Tour of India and Bhutan

In April 2016, Catherine and William undertook a tour of India and Bhutan, representing the crown on diplomatic visits.

April 2016: Launch of Heads Together Campaign

In April 2016, Catherine helped develop the Heads Together campaign with William and Prince Harry to encourage public discussion of mental health.

June 2016: Appearance on British Vogue's Centenary Issue Cover

In June 2016, Catherine appeared on the cover of British Vogue's centenary issue.

2016: Marked 75th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets

In 2016, Catherine marked the 75th anniversary of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, continuing her work with the organization.

2016: Became Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Since 2016, Catherine has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

May 2017: Visit to Luxembourg City

In May 2017, Catherine visited Luxembourg City for commemorations marking the Treaty of London.

2017: Fines in Topless Photo Case

In 2017, Closer was fined €100,000, and its editor and owner were each fined €45,000 for publishing topless photos of Catherine.

2017: Kensington Palace Becomes Main Residence

In 2017, Kensington Palace became Catherine and William's main residence.

January 2018: Visit to Sweden and Norway

In January 2018, Catherine and William visited Sweden and Norway as part of their royal duties.

January 2018: Reported Hair Donation and Became Patron of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

In January 2018, locks of Catherine's hair were reportedly donated anonymously to the Little Princess Trust. The following month, she became patron of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She also launched Nursing Now, a three-year global campaign to raise the profile of nursing.

March 2018: Symposium on Children's Health and Launch of Early Years Intervention Support

In March 2018, Catherine hosted a symposium with the Royal Society of Medicine on children's health and launched the Early Years Intervention Support initiative.

April 2018: Birth of Prince Louis

In April 2018, Catherine gave birth to Prince Louis.

2018: Became Royal Patron of Victoria and Albert Museum

In 2018, Catherine became the first royal patron of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

February 2019: Visit to Northern Ireland

In February 2019, Catherine and William undertook a two-day visit to Northern Ireland, visiting Belfast, Fermanagh, and Ballymena.

March 2019: Royal Family Issues Social-Media Guidelines

In March 2019, the royal family issued social-media guidelines following online abuse directed at Catherine and her sister-in-law, Meghan.

July 2019: Supported Backyard Nature Campaign

In July 2019, Catherine supported Backyard Nature, a campaign encouraging children, families, and communities to engage with the natural world.

October 2019: Visit to Pakistan

In October 2019, Catherine and William traveled to Pakistan, marking the first royal visit to the country in 13 years. The tour aimed to promote diplomatic relations and highlighted the couple's interest in climate change and education.

2019: Became Patron of the Foundling Museum

In 2019, Catherine became the patron of the Foundling Museum, which commemorates the Foundling Hospital.

2019: Chelsea Flower Show Garden Display and Launch of Shout

In 2019, Catherine co-designed a garden display at the Chelsea Flower Show with the Royal Horticultural Society. In May 2019, Catherine, William, and other family members launched Shout, a text-messaging service for mental health support, as part of the Heads Together initiative.

2019: Designed "Back to Nature Garden"

In 2019, Catherine designed the "Back to Nature Garden" with landscape architects Andree Davies and Adam White, promoting environmental sustainability.

2019: Supported Photography Workshops and Contributed to Holocaust Exhibition

In 2019, Catherine supported workshops run by the Royal Photographic Society and Action for Children. As patron of the Royal Photographic Society, she contributed to an exhibition marking 75 years since the end of the Holocaust.

January 2020: Launch of 5 Big Questions on the Under 5's

In January 2020, Catherine launched 5 Big Questions on the Under 5's, a nationwide survey on early childhood development, conducted by Ipsos MORI.

March 2020: Visit to Ireland

In March 2020, Catherine and William carried out a three-day visit to Ireland, traveling across three counties to engage with various communities.

March 2020: Support for Mental-Health Initiative

In March 2020, Catherine and William supported a new mental-health initiative by Public Health England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2020: Announcement of Our Frontline

In April 2020, Catherine and William announced Our Frontline, which provides mental-health support for emergency and frontline workers.

May 2020: Launched "Hold Still" Photography Project

In May 2020, Catherine launched "Hold Still", a project documenting life during the COVID-19 lockdown, which received 31,000 submissions.

May 2020: Criticism of Tatler Article

In May 2020, Kensington Palace criticised a Tatler article about Catherine as inaccurate, leading the magazine to amend its online version after legal pressure.

July 2020: Support for BBC's Tiny Happy People initiative

In July 2020, Catherine supported the development of the BBC's Tiny Happy People initiative, which provides free digital resources for parents with young children.

August 2020: Donation Drive to Support Baby Banks

In August 2020, Catherine led a donation drive to support baby banks nationwide, generating more than 10,000 donations.

September 2020: Appointed Co-President of The Scout Association

In September 2020, Catherine was appointed co-president of The Scout Association alongside the Duke of Kent.

October 2020: Meeting with President Zelenskyy

In October 2020, Catherine and William met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and his First Lady Olena Zelenska at Buckingham Palace.

November 2020: Release of 5 Big Questions Results

In November 2020, the results of Catherine's 5 Big Questions on the Under 5's survey were released, outlining five key themes in early childhood.

2020: Death of Lupo

In 2020, the family's English Cocker Spaniel, Lupo, died.

May 2021: Publication of "Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020"

On May 7, 2021, the book "Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020" was published, featuring images from the Hold Still project and a foreword written by Catherine.

June 2021: Attends G7 Summit

In June 2021, Catherine and William attended the G7 summit for the first time in Cornwall. During the summit, Catherine met Jill Biden and visited Connor Downs Academy.

June 2021: Became Patron of The Forward Trust

In June 2021, Catherine became patron of The Forward Trust following its merger with Action on Addiction, and subsequently launched the "Taking Action on Addiction" campaign.

June 2021: Launch of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood

In June 2021, Catherine launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to coordinate research, campaigns, and partnerships on early-years issues.

December 2021: Hosted the "Together at Christmas" Carol Service

In December 2021, Catherine hosted the annual "Together at Christmas" carol service at Westminster Abbey.

2021: Playground inspired by the garden opened on the Sandringham Estate

In 2021, A playground inspired by the "Back to Nature Garden" opened on the Sandringham Estate, providing a space for children to connect with nature.

2021: Boost to the British Fashion Industry

In 2021, it was reported that Catherine boosted the British fashion industry by up to £1 billion within a year.

February 2022: Became Patron of Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League

In February 2022, Catherine became patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League, roles previously held by Harry.

February 2022: Appearance on CBeebies Bedtime Stories

In February 2022, Catherine made a surprise appearance on CBeebies Bedtime Stories, reading "The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark" by Jill Tomlinson to mark the end of Children's Mental Health Week.

February 2022: Visit to Denmark on Behalf of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood

In February 2022, Catherine visited Denmark on behalf of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

February 2022: Visit to Denmark

In February 2022, Catherine visited Denmark to study their approach to supporting young people's social and emotional development.

March 2022: Donation to Support Refugees During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In March 2022, Catherine and William donated to support refugees during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

September 2022: Visit to Wales as Princess of Wales

In September 2022, Catherine and William visited Anglesey and Swansea, marking their first visit to Wales since becoming Princess and Prince of Wales.

September 2022: Becomes Princess of Wales

In September 2022, Catherine became Princess of Wales when William was created Prince of Wales by King Charles III.

September 2022: The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales

In September 2022, The Royal Foundation became The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.

September 2022: New Titles Following Queen Elizabeth II's Death

In September 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Catherine became Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Rothesay. On 9 September 2022, she became Princess of Wales and Countess of Chester after William's appointment as Prince of Wales.

September 2022: Move to Adelaide Cottage

In September 2022, the family moved to Adelaide Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

October 2022: Became Patron of Preet Chandi

In October 2022, Catherine became patron of Preet Chandi, a British Army medical officer undertaking a 1,000‑mile solo expedition to the South Pole after completing a 700‑mile journey earlier that year.

December 2022: Second Most Liked Royal Family Member

In December 2022, Catherine was found to be the second most liked member of the royal family by the polling company YouGov.

January 2023: Launch of the Shaping Us Initiative

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 of early-childhood development and its importance.

February 2023: Donation to Disasters Emergency Committee Following Turkey-Syria Earthquake

In February 2023, Catherine and William donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) following the 2023 TurkeySyria earthquake.

February 2023: Visit to Cornwall as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall

In February 2023, Catherine and William traveled to Falmouth, marking their first visit to Cornwall since assuming the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

April 2023: Ranked First in Ipsos Favourability Poll

In April 2023, an Ipsos favourability poll ranked Catherine first among the royal family.

May 2023: Hosted Children's Picnic at Chelsea Flower Show

In May 2023, Catherine hosted the first children's picnic at the Chelsea Flower Show for pupils from ten primary schools participating in the Royal Horticultural Society's Campaign for School Gardening.

October 2023: Statement on Attacks on Israel

In October 2023, Catherine and William issued a public statement condemning the October 7 attacks on Israel.

January 2024: Undergoes Abdominal Surgery

In January 2024, Kensington Palace announced that Catherine had undergone planned abdominal surgery at the London Clinic.

March 2024: Withdrawal of Mother's Day Photograph

In March 2024, the Associated Press, AFP, Reuters, and Getty Images withdrew a Mother's Day photograph of Catherine and her children due to concerns about digital manipulation; Catherine later acknowledged editing the image and apologised for the confusion.

April 2024: Most Popular Royal According to YouGov

In April 2024, YouGov again ranked Catherine as the most popular royal.

July 2024: Donated to support communities affected by Hurricane Beryl.

In July 2024, Catherine and William donated to support communities affected by Hurricane Beryl, showing their commitment to global relief efforts.

December 2024: Joint Funding for Pilot Scheme

In December 2024, Catherine and William announced joint funding for a pilot scheme with Norfolk and Waveney Mind to support rural and farming communities on the Sandringham estate.

2024: Resumes Public Duties

In 2024, Catherine returned to public view, announced the end of chemotherapy, and met families of the victims of the 2024 Southport stabbings.

2024: Diagnosis and Chemotherapy

In early 2024, Catherine was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy.

January 2025: Announced as Joint Royal Patron of the Royal Marsden Hospital and became patron of Tŷ Hafan

In January 2025, Catherine was announced as joint royal patron of the Royal Marsden Hospital alongside William. Later that month, she became patron of Tŷ Hafan, a children's hospice in Wales.

January 2025: Confirmation of Remission

In January 2025, following a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital, Catherine confirmed she was in remission.

May 2025: Launch of Mother Nature Video Series

In May 2025, Catherine launched the Mother Nature video series to highlight nature's role in mental wellbeing.

May 2025: Named to the Time 100 Health list and Time 100 Philanthropy list

In May 2025, Catherine was named to the Time 100 Health list for her cancer-awareness work. That same month, she and William were included on the inaugural Time 100 Philanthropy list.

September 2025: Interaction with Scouts at Frogmore Gardens

During the US state visit in September 2025, Catherine and First Lady Melania Trump presented badges and met Scouts from the Squirrels section at Frogmore Gardens. This interaction was described by CNN as a "more humanising moment".

October 2025: Co-authored essay on limiting children's screen time

In October 2025, Catherine co-authored an essay with Professor Robert J. Waldinger of Harvard Medical School, encouraging parents to limit children's screen time to support early-childhood relationships.

October 2025: Court Case Against Associated Newspapers and Privacy Case Win

In October 2025, Harry named Catherine and William in his court case against Associated Newspapers. Also in October 2025, Catherine and William won a privacy case in France against Paris Match over unauthorised photographs taken during a family ski trip in the Alps.

October 2025: Move from Adelaide Cottage

In October 2025, the family is expected to move from Adelaide Cottage and Forest Lodge is their current residence.

2025: Named an "Eternal Influencer"

In 2025, British Vogue named Catherine an "Eternal Influencer" and one of the 50 best-dressed Britons.

2025: Curated display for the Victoria and Albert Museum

In July 2025, Catherine curated a small display for the Victoria and Albert Museum, highlighting her continued involvement in the arts.

January 2026: Conclusion of Mother Nature Video Series

In January 2026, Catherine concluded the Mother Nature video series, which was described by The Daily Telegraph as "one of her most personally creative projects to date".