How Kate Middleton is preparing for role as future Queen – new job takes things up a notch

Kate Middleton expanded her royal role yesterday, taking over from the Queen is one aspect of her official duties.

Over the years Kate and her husband have taken on more prominence in the Royal Family.

When Prince Charles, 70, becomes king Prince William will step into his shoes as Prince of Wales.

As his wife Kate will also step up to take a bigger role when the time comes.

When William becomes king it is thought Kate will be queen consort.

The Queen recently handed over one of her patronages to her granddaughter-in-law.

Queen Elizabeth II handed over the patronage of the Royal Photographic Society to Kate, a role she held for 67 years.

Kensington Palace tweeted of the royal news: “The Duchess of Cambridge has become Patron of the Royal Photographic Society @The_RPS.

“Her Majesty The Queen has passed the Patronage of @The_RPS to The Duchess of Cambridge, having held the role for 67 years.

“The Royal Photographic Society was founded in 1853 with the objective of promoting the art and science of photography.

“The Duchess of Cambridge has a longstanding interest in photography, and her patronage of @The_RPS will further highlight the beneficial impact that art and creativity can have on emotional wellbeing, particularly for children and young people.”

How else is Kate preparing for her future role as the spouse of a monarch?

Royal expert Rebecca Long told Us Weekly: “Kate’s been taking on new responsibilities little by little over the last few years, so it won’t be a shock when the time comes.

“William and Kate are the favourite royals to take the crown in many generations, so the people of the U.K. are very excited about it.”

Kate also supports the Queen at high profile events such as the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

She also attends the Queen’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour.

Kate Middleton attended the annual Order of the Garter Service at St George’s Chapel earlier this month. 

She attended the event alongside Sophie Countess of Wessex, 54, and other foreign royals such as Queen Letizia.

Also in attendance was Queen Maxima of The Netherlands.

Kate Middleton’s wedding was one of the more influential in recent decades. 

It was recently revealed how her dress honoured the Royal Family in one specific way.

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 become the Duchess of Cambridge on the day.