Never before seen photographs of Kate Middleton growing up have been published on the royal website ahead of her forthcoming marriage to Prince William.
The 29-year-old royal-bride-to-be has been given her official royal biography before her wedding on April 29, at Westminster Abbey, and in a series of snaps Kate can be seen on a family holiday in the Lake District, with younger sister and maid of honour Pippa in Jordan where her family lived for two years in 1984 and the early days of her university romance with William.
The biography reveals:
"Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born to Michael and Carole Middleton at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, on 9th January 1982. Catherine is the eldest of three children.
"Catherine was christened at the parish church of St Andrew's Bradfield in Berkshire on 20th June 1982. In May 1984, at the age of two, Catherine moved with her family to Amman in Jordan, where her father worked for two and a half years. Catherine attended a nursery school in Amman from the age of three.
"In September 1986, the Middletons returned to their home in West Berkshire, and Catherine started at St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, where she remained until July 1995.
"Catherine went on to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where she studied Chemistry, Biology and Art at A-level."
It also details Kate's gap year in Florence before she went to St Andrews University an fell in love with the second-in-line-to-the-throne.
The biography continues:
"In 2002, Catherine enrolled at the University of St Andrews, Fife, from where she graduated in 2005 with a 2:1 in History of Art. Catherine continued with her interest in sport at University, playing hockey for the University team. Catherine first met Prince William when studying at the University.
"Since completing her degree, Catherine has worked for Party Pieces, a company owned and run by her parents. Alongside her work for the family business, Catherine worked in London as a part-time buyer for the clothing company Jigsaw Junior.
"Catherine's hobbies include recreational sports such as hill walking, tennis, swimming, sailing, and the arts such as photography and painting."
It has been claimed over the weekend that Kate has chosen Alexander McQueen successor Sarah Burton to design her wedding dress, but McQueen has since denied the reports.
