Catherine Middleton
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge1 (Catherine Elizabeth Middleton) was born January 9, 1982 in Reading, a commoner, became a member of the British royal family by marriage, since she married April 29, 2011 with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, eldest son of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, heir to the throne, and Princess of Wales was born Lady Diana Spencer.
Youth
Catherine Middleton grew up in Berkshire. She is the daughter of Michael and Carole Middleton (nee Goldsmith), who made a fortune by building a business of party accessories. She has a younger sister, Philippa, known as Pippa, and a brother named James. After studying at Marlborough College, Catherine joined the University of St. Andrews.
Catherine Middleton met Prince William at St Andrews University in 2001. She marched to a charity fashion show. Soon, the couple is the subject of attention and newspapers speculating about a possible marriage. This watch was not announced, Catherine is nicknamed "Waity Katie" ("Katie waiting"). The couple broke briefly in 2007 before reforming a few months later.
The engagement was officially announced on 16 November 2010, at Clarence House after eight years of relations2. The couple became engaged in October 2010, while vacationing at private Kenya3, after obtaining the permission of Queen Elizabeth II and the father of Catherine Middleton.
marriage
The wedding took place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey. On this occasion, the Queen grants the title of Prince William Duke of Cambridge. Catherine Middleton becomes Duchess of Cambridge and wife of the heir presumptive to the throne. The couple continues to reside on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, where Prince William is based as a pilot for the Royal Air Force as their official residence Clarence House residence in London.
Titulature complete
On commoner, Catherine Middleton had never worn a title of nobility before her marriage. It bore the title of her husband and is called Her Royal Highness Princess William Arthur Philip Louis, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.
The name is Princess Catherine incorrecte4 however. Being princess by marriage, she is the Princess William (as the wife of Prince William). Only a decree of the Queen (as was the case with Prince Philip and Princess Alice) would allow the Duchess of Cambridge to use the title of Princess Catherine.
Titulature current
She is known successively under the names:
Miss Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (1982-2011)
His Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge (since 2011)
Arms
On April 19, 2011, weapons of Catherine Middleton who particularly ornate wedding program are formalized. On the common origin, the Middleton family did not have a specific coat of arms. Michael Middleton has made a request to create with the College of Arms, the institution responsible for granting arms in the UK. Catherine Middleton is very involved in the design of its armoiries5. They represent three branches of oak trees separated by a gold chevron and emblazon Party azure and gules, a chevron Or coticé money, along with three acorns inverted gold, stems and leaves of même6.
Each element was chosen for its symbolism:
the symmetrical division of the shield is what means a part of the surname: middle means "middle";
shades of blue and red colors correspond to the main Union Jack (the decorated white representing mountains);
The oak for the Berkshire region, where Catherine was raised;
The three acorns drawn at the end of each branch for the three children of Middleton;
The chevron is gold for the maiden name of Carole Middleton (Goldsmith, silversmith in English);
The accompanying cotices white chevron mountains National Park English Lake District, where the family likes to make Middleton.
As is tradition, the arms were created to Michael Middleton and can therefore be used by the entire family. The arms of Catherine, before her marriage with Prince William, corresponded to the arms of his father presented a shield in female, the blue ribbon symbolizing that the girl was not yet married. For Thomas Woodcock, who heads the College of Arms, "the goal [of arms] was to represent the whole Middleton family, home, and what they like" 7. It is transmitted through the seed of his brother James.
See also
Wikipedia
