Although it may have seemed that Kate Middleton transitioned seamlessly from being a commoner to becoming the Duchess of Cambridge, a lot of hard work went on behind the scenes in the run up to her wedding to Prince William. When the then-29-year-old walked back down the aisle of Westminster Abbey in 2011 after saying her vows, she was suddenly a member of The Firm and under intense pressure to set an example.
Ten years before tying the knot, Kate and William met whilst they were both students at the University of St Andrews. In the decade between 2001 and 2011, Kate was prepped and primed to deal with the immense responsibility that comes with being part of the Royal Family.
A lot has changed in the eleven years since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge assumed their new titles; three children later and the pair have taken on even more duties, especially since the Queen has suffered with reduced mobility problems. With Kate often speaking out on important issues as part of her public service role, she appears to be a completely different person to the shy young woman who once concerned the Queen as she seemed to avoid public speaking.
