14 Photos of Kate Middleton Before She Joined the Royal Family
14 Photos of Kate Middleton Before She Joined the Royal Family
Giovana GelhorenFri, August 14, 2026 at 12:40 PM UTC
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Kate MiddletonCredit: Getty ImagesTHE GIST -
Prince William and Kate Middleton were together for nine years before announcing their engagement on November 16, 2010.
Prior to the news, Middleton was photographed in multiple occasions, including weddings, nights out with sister Pippa Middleton, and her graduation from St. Andrews University in 2005.
William and Middleton tied the knot on April 29, 2011, and now share three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are now one of the British royal family’s most beloved couples. But before they became a royal power couple, they dated for approximately nine years, with William popping the question in 2010.
“We met at university, at St. Andrews, and we were friends for over a year first and it just sort of blossomed from then on,” William said in their engagement interview for ITV. “We just spent more time with each other and had a good giggle. Had lots of fun and realized we shared the same interests and just, you know, had a really good time.”
During their dating years, while Middleton wasn’t fully in the spotlight as a royal yet, she was still photographed by paparazzi on several occasions. Among them were multiple weddings, her St. Andrew University graduation, countless sporting events, and a headline-making night out with her sister, Pippa Middleton.
Below, see all the best photos of Kate Middleton before she joined the royal family.
01 of 14
A Friend’s Wedding, 2005
Kate MiddletonCredit: Indigo/Getty Images
One of Middleton’s first images out there is this snap of hers at her friends Hugh Van Cutsem and Rose Astor’s wedding at Burford Parish Church on June 4, 2005. She wore a black embellished skirt, cream blazer and a matching black fascinator.
02 of 14
College Graduation, 2005
Kate MiddletonCredit: Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage
Middleton, much like William, attended St. Andrews University in Scotland. In this June 23, 2005, picture, Middleton is seen walking into her graduation ceremony. She initially enrolled in psychology before switching to and receiving a Master of Arts in art history.
03 of 14
Her First Royal Wedding, 2006
Kate MiddletonCredit: Tim Graham/ Getty Images
By 2006, Middleton and William had been dating for three years, so it’s no surprise she was attending major events from his side of the family. On May 6, 2006, she attended Queen Camilla’s daughter Laura Parker-Bowles’s wedding to Harry Lopes at St Cyriac’s Church, Lacock, on May 6, 2006 in Wiltshire, England.
04 of 14
A Polo Match, 2006
Kate MiddletonCredit: Indigo/Getty Images
Middleton was spotted in this form-flattering red dress while supporting William compete in the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match. The game took place at the Ham Polo Club on June 17, 2006, in Richmond, England.
05 of 14
Visiting William, 2006
Kate MiddletonCredit: Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage
On December 15, 2006, Middleton looked regal in this bright red coat and black fascinator when she attended the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy. William graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an officer cadet in December 2006 and served the British Armed Forces for over seven years.
06 of 14
A Night Out, 2007
Pippa Middleton and Kate MiddletonCredit: Niki Nikolova/FilmMagic
On February 1, 2007, Middleton was spotted having fun on a night out with her younger sister, Pippa Middleton.
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07 of 14
Watching Rugby, 2007
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Middleton and William made a rare public appearance together on February 10, 2007, when they cheered alongside his brother, Prince Harry, at the RBS Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy at Twickenham.
08 of 14
Cheltenham Festival, 2007
Kate MiddletonCredit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
While attending the final day of the Cheltenham Festival on March 16, 2007, in Gloucestershire, England, Middleton wore this light blue blazer, brown patterned scarf, and a brown beret to match. William’s aunt, Princess Anne, and his cousin, Zara Tindall, were also in attendance.
09 of 14
Badminton Horse Trials, 2007
Kate MiddletonCredit: Indigo/Getty Images
During the Badminton Horse Trials on May 04, 2007, in Badminton, England, Middleton wore one of her coolest looks to date. She paired these brown boots with a navy sweater, a cream button-down, a white denim skirt, and a brown belt to pull it all together.
10 of 14
Rowing, 2007
Kate MiddletonCredit: Justin Goff Photos\Getty Images
In this picture, Middleton looked so focused while in a training session on August 01, 2007, for her cross-channel rowing team, The Sisterhood. The team participated in a cross-channel dragon boat race on the River Thames later that month.
11 of 14
Another Royal Wedding, 2008
Kate MiddletonCredit: Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images
Middleton was smiling from ear to ear in this pastel blue blazer and patterned skirt at Lady Rose Windsor’s Wedding on July 19, 2008.
12 of 14
A Disco-Themed Fundraiser, 2008
Kate MiddletonCredit: Johnny Green - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
On September 17, 2008, Middleton supported her sister by attending the Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco in these yellow shorts and green sequined top. Pippa organized the event in honor of her friend Thomas Waley-Cohen, who passed away from bone cancer in 2004 at the age of 20.
13 of 14
A 2010 Wedding
Kate MiddletonCredit: Indigo/Getty Images
Middleton attended another wedding celebration, of Harry Meade and Rosie Bradford, on October 23, 2010. She and William attended together.
14 of 14
Announcing Her Engagement, 2010
Prince William and Kate MiddletonCredit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
On November 16, 2010, Middleton and William announced their engagement. Her engagement ring featured a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold.
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