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.
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But how did Kate Middleton blossom into the Duchess of Cambridge, and go from a 'natural introvert' to a confident mum-of-three? In order to master the art of becoming a well-rounded member of the Royal Family, Kate had to go through a number of rigorous 'training' procedures - here's a look back at some of them.
Meeting the Queen
Kate did not meet the Queen until 2008, despite dating William on-and-off for a number of years prior to this. The long-awaited introduction took place at the wedding of now-divorced Peter and Autumn Phillips.
During the interview Kate and William gave after announcing their engagement, Kate reflected on the momentous occasion. She said: "It was in amongst a lot of other guests and she was very friendly."
Despite the meeting going well, it has been claimed by royal expert Katie Nicholl that the Queen was nervous Kate did not have her own identity before joining The Firm. In Katie's book, The Making of a Royal Romance, the royal expert penned: "Privately, she had grave concerns and believed that Kate needed to have a job and an identity in her own right before an engagement was announced."
Now, the Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge share a close relationship. Part of the reason why Kate and William are relocating from London to Berkshire is said to be so they can be closer to Her Majesty at Windsor Castle.
Learning to look and act royal
With Kate not hailing from a royal or high society background, unlike countless people who have married into the Royal Family over the years, she had a lot to learn before she walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. In the 2017 Amazon Prime documentary, Kate Middleton: Working Class to Windsor, it was claimed that the Queen privately taught Kate 'how to be a royal wife'.
In the documentary, journalist Ashley Pearson explained: "From the beginning, Kate Middleton had a great deal of support from the Royal Family which was really instructed by the Queen. This was to make sure she knew as much as she could possibly know and what to do in every situation – bearing in mind, of course, that she didn’t grow up in this world."
The lessons given by the Queen to Kate have been dubbed 'princess lessons'. As for what these entailed, Ashley elaborated: "There were things like learning how to get out of a carriage without exposing your modesty and learning how to bend down to get flowers from a young girl without exposing your modesty.
"Things that you would never think you’d have to learn but, of course, a woman in her position would certainly need to know. There were all kinds of small details and little bits of etiquette – how to sit, who to curtsey to, who not to curtsy to, what fork to use and whatever else they felt she needed to know."
Early alliances
Kate's adjustment to public life was plenty to take in, but the transition seemed a lot easier than it could have been thanks to the close bonds she formed with certain members of the Royal Family. Despite the 17-year age gap, one of the most natural friendships formed by the Duchess of Cambridge has been with Sophie, Countess of Wessex - William's aunt.
Since Sophie also faced the same lengthy induction process Kate did when she married into the Royal Family 12 years prior to the Duchess, it seems that the Countess of Wessex was more than happy with showing Kate how it's done. And according to body language expert Judi James, it is very apparent that Sophie looks out for Kate.
Judi told the Express : "Sophie’s formula does appear to have been copied by Kate too as, so far, she has managed to tread the very fine line of creating interest that is positive but not unmanageable.
"Many of the poses of the two women together show Sophie face-checking Kate with quite strong bouts of watchful-looking eye contact to suggest she’s taking a semi-maternal approach."
The Duchess of Cornwall has been another big help to Kate, and is said to have given her future step-daughter-in-law some handy advice in the lead up to her wedding. According to the Daily Mail, Kate and Camilla were spotted lunching shortly before the big day with Kate's sister, Pippa and Camilla's daughter, Laura.
Kate's first royal duties
After getting married in front of the world, the Duchess of Cambridge then had the pressure of carrying out her first ever duties as a royal. The newlyweds took a month away from the spotlight after their wedding, before completing their first engagement together - which was very high profile.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met the then-President of the United States, Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama whilst the pair were on a trip to London. During the state visit to the UK, the Cambridges met the Obamas at Buckingham Palace.
After this, Kate and William travelled to Canada for their first ever tour that summer. Now, the Duchess of Cambridge, first regarded as shy by those who engaged with her, appears to have no problem with being in the limelight.
Kate also developed her royal passions, including an important early-years initiative and co-creating the royal foundation. Over a decade into her royal role, Kate has blossomed into a confident senior member of The Firm - but royal expert Phil Dampier says "the best is yet to come".
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "When Kate first became a royal she was incredibly nervous. I remember talking to her at a reception on a tour of Canada in 2012 and she just gabbled and didn't make any sense at all. Ten years on she has become an accomplished public speaker and is full of confidence.
"With Harry and Meghan off the scene and Andrew out in the cold, as well as Charles and Camilla and Anne in they seventies, the whole future rests with William and Kate. Fortunately they look up to the task and I'm sure her best is yet to come."
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