The bride of Prince William of Wales - Kate Middleton (31 photos)

4 April 2011

With less than three weeks to go before the wedding day of the Prince of Wales and Kate Middleton, news feeds are full of news about the famous bride and groom. Kate Middleton was announced as a relative of George Washington, and a revealing outfit was sold at the auction, in which Kate appeared on the catwalk of the student show when the Prince drew attention to her. And most recently, the future princess published personal pictures from the family archive, which depict her childhood and youth. You will see these and other photos in this collection.

The bride of Prince William of Wales - Kate Middleton (31 photos)

Kate Middleton was born into an ordinary family in Berkshire: her parents worked in aviation in the past. Today, her family owns Party Pieces, a company selling kids' party supplies. At one time, Kate studied at the prestigious Marlborough College, which is currently attended by Prince William's cousin Eugenie of York, and then entered the Scottish University of St. Andrew's Faculty of Art History. It was there that the girl met the heir to the British throne.

1. 1985: Kate Middleton at the age of three on vacation in the British Lake District. Photo from the family archive.

2. 1986: Kate Middleton at age four (left) with her father and sister Pippa in Jerash, Jordan. Photo from the family archive of the family.

3. 1987: Five-year-old Kate Middleton. Photo from the family archive of the family.

4. 1990: Kate at St. Andrew's Preparatory School in Pangburn, Berkshire.

5. March 26, 2002: Kate Middleton walks the catwalk during a student fashion show at St Andrew's University. At the same show was her classmate at the university – Prince William.

6. March 26, 2002: Kate Middleton with an unknown student during a student fashion show at the University of St. Andrew. According to the official version, it was on that day that William noticed Kate.

7. July 23, 2004: Kate Middleton at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. According to rumors in those days, Kate and William were just friends.

8. June 23, 2005: Kate Middleton on her graduation day from St. Andrew's University, which she spent with William.

9. June 23, 2005: Kate Middleton and Prince William on graduation day from St Andrew's University. Photo from the family archive of the family.

10. June 23, 2005: Kate Middleton on her graduation day from St Andrew's University. Photo from the family archive of the family.

11. July 12, 2005: Kate Middleton cycling outside her parents' home in Bucklebury, West Berkshire.

12. September 3, 2006: Kate Middleton on a yacht off the coast of Ibiza while relaxing with Prince William (not pictured) and friends.

13. November 10, 2006: Kate Middleton and her mother Carol go shopping in Chelsea, London.

14. February 10, 2007: Prince William with his girlfriend Kate at the game between the rugby teams of England and Italy during the Six Nations Cup in Twickenham.

15. May 10, 2007: Kate Middleton gets into the back seat of a taxi after a party at London's Mahiki nightclub.

16. August 1, 2007: During a brief break with Prince William, Kate and her team during training on the Thames before attempting to cross the English Channel.

17. April 11, 2008: Prince William with his girlfriend Kate at RAF Cranwell, just after William was promoted to pilot after his traineeship.

18. June 7, 2008: Kate Middleton watches a boxing match that took place inas part of the "Boodles Boxing Ball" charity event at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

19. June 17, 2008: Kate Middleton, right, and her younger sister Pippa walking around London. Pippa will be the main bridesmaid during the wedding of Kate and William.

20. 16 June 2008: Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and Duchess Camilla of Cornwall watch as Prince William joins other members of the royal family as a Knight of the Garter at St George's Chapel, Windsor.

21. September 17, 2008: Kate Middleton, left, and her friend arriving at the Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco to the London hotel "Renaissance Rooms".

22. August 31, 2009: Kate Middleton joined Prince William on a partridge hunt in Scotland on the 11th anniversary of Princess Diana's death.

23. October 23, 2010: Prince William with his girlfriend Kate at the wedding of Harry Meade and Rosie Bratford.

24. November 16, 2010: Prince William with Kate Middleton during a photo shoot after the official announcement of their engagement at St. James's Palace in London.

25. November 25, 2010: One of two official engagement portraits taken by photographer Mario Testino.

26. November 25, 2010: One of two official engagement portraits taken by photographer Mario Testino.

27. December 18, 2010: Prince William with Kate Middleton at the Teenage Cancer Trust in Norfolk during her first official appearance since her engagement.

28. February 24, 2011: Kate Middleton with her hair blowing in the wind during a visit to Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station with Prince William in North Wales.