History Is Present

Katherine Middleton ~ Future Queen of England

Monday 22^nd July 2013. What an important day in British History because Kate Middleton gave birth to our future king.

Kate is the eldest child of a middle class family from a village called Buckley in Berkshire. Born Catherine Elizabeth on 9 January 1982, Kate had a far simpler life then her future husband with her two younger siblings: Philippa and James.

The fairy tale that the world knows began in 2001 at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where Kate was studying Art History, when the star crossed lovers met. They didn't start dating until 2002. Throughout their relationship there was a lot of harassment from the Media but the couple made through it and became stronger.

 In April 2007, The Sun broke a "world exclusive" which suggested that William and Kate had split up while the BBC confirmed the story as the day progressed. The couple decided to break up during a holiday to Zermatt, Switzerland. Clarence House made only one comment about the relationship's end, according to The Times, stating, "We don't comment on Prince William's private life".

The Sun’s report quoted a "close friend of the couple" as saying that Kate felt that William had not been giving her enough attention and been spending with other woman with William feeling he was too young to get married. The Daily Mail blamed a desire by royal courtiers not to "hurry along" a marriage announcement, and Prince William's desire to enjoy his bachelor status within his Army career and that a friend of William's encouraged him to take a "careless approach" to relationships. The same article suggested that Kate had "expected too much" in wanting William to demonstrate his commitment to her.

In June 2007, Kate and William insisted they were "just good friends" following reports of a reconciliation. Kate and her family attended the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium, where she and Prince William sat two rows apart. The couple were seen together in public on a number of occasions and it was believed that they had "rekindled their relationship".

The Happy Couple

Kate joined William and his father on a deerstalking expedition at Balmoral and attended the wedding of William's cousin, Peter Phillips, even though William did not due to a prior commitment. In April 2008, Middleton accompanied William when he was awarded his RAF wings at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. On 16 June 2008, she attended Prince William's investiture into the Order of the Garter, along with the Royal Family.

Finally it was announced in October 2010 that William and Kate were engaged. The country was over-the-moon with news as “royal fever” hit the nation hard as England celebrated with the Royal Family. This was extra special for the couple as William had given his late mother’s engagement ring as a way of her being part of this event.

"It's very special to me. As Kate's very special to me now, it was right to put the two (Catherine and Diana) together. It was my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today and the excitement, and the fact that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together.”

The Newly Weds

The couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on the 29^th April 2011 (ironically St Catherine’s Day). The wedding was something out of a fairy tale; Kate looked breathtaking in her McQueen Bridal Dress while William looked like Prince Charming. Kate & William were given the title of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge by the Queen. Kate is known in Scotland as Her Royal Highness The Countess of Strathearn.

Catherine's full title and style is Her Royal Highness Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus. Unlike the majority of royal brides, and in contrast to most previous consorts for over 350 years Catherine's immediate family is neither aristocratic or royal.

In October the British royal succession law was changed to adopt absolute primogeniture, meaning that the first child of the Duke and Duchess would be eligible to take the throne regardless of whether it is male or female.

More excitement hit the nation in December 2012 as Kate announced she was pregnant. The announcement was made earlier than planned as she had been admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital Sister Agnes after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum and stayed there for three days. On 14 January 2013, St James's Palace announced that the child was due to be born in July 2013, and that the condition of the Duchess was improving.

In January 2013, the Queen issued new letters patent enabling all children of the eldest son, as opposed to only the eldest son, of the Prince of Wales to enjoy the princely title and style of Royal Highness. 

Kate, William and Baby George

The Duchess was admitted to St Mary's Hospital in London in the early stages of labour on the morning of 22nd July 2013 where Kate gave birth to a boy weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces (3.80 kg) at 16:24. On 24^th July 2013 the new parents revealed that their son would be named George Alexander Louis before going to Kate’s family home.

Kate is a future Queen-in-waiting who comes from humble roots just like us; she is commoner. I believe that she will make a Queen like England has never seen before.