Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, also known as Kate Middleton became the subject of fascination to people around the world when she started dating Prince William, second in line to the throne, in the early 2000s.
Eager to learn more about the potential future queen of England, people became elated when the couple married in 2011.
Now with two children, 4-year-old George and 2-year-old Charlotte, and another baby due in April, everyone can't help but want to get to know how this woman was welcomed into the center of the royal family.
Coming from humble beginnings, Kate and Will's love story is one that gives us all hope of someday meeting a prince of our own.
1. Kate has spent some time abroad.
Between the ages of 2 and 4, she and her sister Pippa, along with her parents Carole and Michael Middleton lived in Amman, Jordan. Her father was a manager at British Airways, while her mother, who was formally a flight attendant, was on an extended maternity leave.
Before Kate started school at St. Andrews, where she met Will Wales, she studied Renaissance culture in Florence and took a charity trip to Chile.
2. She had a crush on Will before she met him.
Like many girls of the 90s, Kate reportedly had a massive crush on Prince William. It was reported that she even had a picture of him hanging on the wall of her bedroom when she lived in Bucklebury, England.
"We would sit around talking about all the boys at school we fancied, but Catherine would always say: "˜I don't like any of them. They're all a bit rough.' Then she would joke: "˜There's no one quite like Prince William,'" a friend Jessica Hay said in William & Catherine: Their Story.
It wasn't until Kate and Will shared a house with friends in their second year at St. Andrews that they met, and the rest of history.
3. Kate is older than Will.
Technically speaking, Kate snagged herself a younger man. Kate's birthday is January 9, 1982, while Prince William was born on June 21, 1982. While the six month different has likely no baring on their relationship, her status of an older bride was notable when she married into the royal family.
4. It was her fashion sense that made William take notice of her.
While she may be seen as one of the most fashionable women in the world now, it took a lot for her to catch the eye of the young prince. Although the pair were friends at St. Andrews, a source said that the prince saw her in a new light after watching her strut her stuff in a 2001 fashion show. The soon-to-be duchess was sporting a bikini with a sheer cover-up during her modeling session.
5. She had a civilian job.
Before becoming a professional princess, Kate held a civilian job after graduating from university in 2005. She became an assistant buyer at London retailer, Jigsaw. She was even known to fetch coffees during photo shoots, before leaving the position in 2007.
6. She didn't wallow when she and Will broke up in 2007.
When Kate and Will briefly broke up in 2007, she didn't sit at home and feel sorry for herself. Instead she used her celebrity status to show her former flame exactly what he was missing out on. Photos published around the world showed the former girlfriend hitting parties and having the time of her life, even though she was secretly pining for her prince. Her approach worked, and the couple reconciled three months after their breakup.
7. Her degree sets her apart from the rest of the royals.
If Kate makes it to the throne alongside William, she'll be the first college-educated queen in England's history.
Kate has had good education from an early age, attending Marlborough College, a pricey boarding school, where she earned good grades and competed on the cross-country track team and played field hockey.
She went on to earn a degree in History of Art from St. Andrews, graduating in 2005.
8. Kate has a signature scent.
Have you ever wondered what a princess smells like? Well, Kate's signature scent is Jo Malone Orange Blossom. She loves it so much that candles of the scent filled Westminster Abbey on her wedding day in 2011.
That wasn't the only aroma for the special day. As a nod to her future husband she carried the flower, Sweet William, in her bouquet.
9. She's an amateur photographer.
Kate has snapped the first official photos of Princess Charlotte at their Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall, as well as Prince George attending his first day of pre-school at Westacre Montessori.
She has also captured Charlotte's most recent first day of nursery school pictures, something that breaks with royal tradition about having a professional photographer take these milestone photos.
Kate has also taken photos for her parents' party-planning business, Party Pieces.
Can you imagine what her own Instagram account would look like!
10. She loves to workout.
While towering at 5 feet 10 inches tall, and maintaining a size two frame is clearly an indication of good genes, Kate also likes to live a healthy lifestyle.
She's reportedly something of a workout fanatic, spending roughly an hour a day doing some sort of exercise. She concentrates on staying healthy and looking great by working out by herself or enjoying outdoor activities with her husband including biking and skiing.
What were you surprised to learn?
