Kate Middleton at 40: before she married Prince William and became a royal, she was a regular person ... here are 5 ways her life and fashion changed

Jan 10 , 2022

Take a look at Kate Middleton’s life before she became the Duchess of Cambridge. Photos: Getty, AP

The Duchess of Cambridge just celebrated her 40th birthday on January 9 – but what was she like in the early 2000s after graduating from the University of St. Andrews?

She attended Wimbledon parties in her 20s and now goes to charity galas, and swapped cowboy hats for fascinators, but still has button-ups and animal print in her wardrobe

Kate Middleton just celebrated her 40th birthday on January 9 and royal watchers across the UK – and the globe – sat up and took notice.

But before she married into royalty, Middleton was a regular person. So what was her life like leading up to her Duchess of Cambridge title, and how is it different now?

She graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 2005

Kate Middleton leaves after attending her university graduation ceremony at St. Andrews University in St. Andrews, Scotland, in 2005. Photo: AP

Middleton’s degree is in art history while Prince William studied geography and graduated at the same ceremony. The pair met during their first year at the university and started dating in 2002.

She has her own portrait at the National Portrait Gallery

The portrait of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, by artist Paul Emsley on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London, in January 2013. Photo: AP Photo

Now, she has her own place in art history. The director of the National Portrait Gallery showed Middleton her portrait.

She used to attend red carpet parties as a guest

Kate Middleton during the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party at The Roof Gardens in London, Britain, in 2006. Photo: WireImage

She attended the WTA Tour Players Party in 2006.

Kate Middleton at 40: before she married Prince William and became a royal, she was a regular person ... here are 5 ways her life and fashion changed

She graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 2005

She has her own portrait at the National Portrait Gallery

She used to attend red carpet parties as a guest

Now, she’s the guest of honor at charity galas