Kate Middleton: Here are 30 facts you didn't know about the Duchess of Cambridge

Kate Middleton was born on 9 January 1982, which makes her the only Capricorn in the Royal family. The most common signs in the Firm are Tauruses and Leos.

Kate Middleton's father, Michael, was a flight dispatcher for British Airways. As such, he travelled a lot and took his family with him. The future Duchess lived in Jordan for almost three years and went to nursery there.

In primary school, Kate Middleton was nicknamed Squeak, after the school's guinea pigs: Squeak and Pip. Pip was named after Kate's sister, Pippa Middleton.

Kate's middle name is Elizabeth, which is also the name of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her daughter, Princess Charlotte, has also got the same middle name.

Kate Middleton is the eighth cousin, seven times removed, of one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, George Washington.

Kate Middleton, like her daughter Princess Charlotte, loves to sing. When she was little, she used to be a church choir girl.

When she was a schoolgirl, Kate Middleton played the part of Eliza Doolittle in her school's rendition of My Fair Lady.

Growing up, Kate Middleton did not have a poster of Prince William in her bedroom, unlike many others girls her age. Instead, she had a Levi's Jeans model poster.

At her primary school, Kate Middleton jumped 1.5m high at her high jump event, a record that remains unbeaten to this day.

Before studying arts at the St Andrews University, where she met Prince William, Kate Middleton studied biology, chemistry and art for her A levels.

Kate Middleton was a student at Marlborough College, in Wiltshire. Prince William's cousin, Princess Eugenie also attended. Although, they did not attend at the same time.

She graduated in 2005 from St Andrews University.

During her time at St Andrews, she co-founded a female drinking society. She also took part in a charity fashion show.

Kate Middleton plays tennis, hockey, netball, and loves wild swimming. 

Kate Middleton's cousin, Katrina Darling, is a private wealth manager and burlesque dancer. One of her most famous acts is even called God Save the Queen!

When the Duchess wears something, it is usually sold-out within hours. This is called the ‘Kate effect’ and actually started out when she was younger, as soon as she started dating Prince William.

Her favourite dessert is the famous Sticky Toffee Pudding!

Kate Middleton's favourite interior designer, Ben Pentreath, decorated both Kensington Palace and Anmer Hall, with the Duchess' help. 

Before becoming a Princess, Kate Middleton worked as a deckhand and a waitress. 

Before going to university, Kate Middleton took a gap year, just like her future husband. She went to Florence, Italy, and spent some time on boats on the Solent. She is also a keen rower.

The Duchess loves scuba diving, she even got her advanced diving qualification. Kate Middleton and Prince William went scuba diving together in Belize, in 2022.

After graduating from St Andrews, Kate Middleton worked as an accessories buyer for British retailer Jigsaw. 

The Duchess is an honorary member of the Royal Society of Photographers. Her photographs have also been chosen in the magazine Country Life.

Kate Middleton married Prince William on 29 April 2011. The event was watched by 26 million people live.

On her wedding day, the Duchess hired a make-up artist called Arabella Preston to give her some tips, but she eventually did her own make-up.

On her wedding day, Kate Middleton followed an old tradition by wearing something old (her dress was traditionally laced with the Carrickmacross technique), something new (a pair of diamond earrings), something borrowed (her iconic halo tiara), and something blue (a blue ribbon sewn into the interior of her dress). 

The Duchess can play the piano. She even surprised the audience during a special Christmas carol performance alongside Scottish artist Tom Walker. 

The Duchess is reportedly allergic to horses, and Prince George looks like he could be as well. 

Kate Middleton enjoys a good pint of Guinness, especially during official visits to Ireland, of course! 

According to a friend of the couple, Prince William sometimes brings his wife a Gin & Tonic in bed after they put the kids to sleep.