Princess Kate Middleton Turns 41 with Family 'She Guides' — The Caring Mom of 3 Bakes Cakes with Them

Kate Middleton turns 41! Today, she is not just a real princess but also a loving mother of three children who wants the most normal life for them.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, informally known as Kate Middleton, is wife to William, the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the British throne. The royal couple was blessed with two boys and a girl: Prince George who is 9 and 4-year-old Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte, who turned 7 this year.

Even though she is raising royal children, Kate desires for them to grow up like ordinary children, much like she did. The Duchess of Cambridge grew up in a close-knit family, attending school, participating in after-school activities, and having fun with her friends. Her grandmother was a fixture in her childhood, engaging them in crafts, baking and playing outdoors.

Kate's origins a quite ordinary. Her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, started a family together, and in 1987, a business selling party supplies by mail. The company and a family inheritance enabled them to give their children, Kate, Pippa, and James, a comfortable upbringing of which, the royal said:

"My parents were hugely dedicated. I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us. They came to every sports match, they'd be the ones on the sideline shouting, and we'd always have our family holidays together."

The Duchess of Wales was born in Reading on January 9, 1982. When the future princess was two, her family moved to Amman Jordan due to her father's work. From three years old, she attended school there from until the Middletons moved back to the UK in September 1986.

Back in the UK, Kate joined St. Andrew's, a prep school completing her prep studies in 1995. Her former teachers have described young Kate as a hard working and detail-oriented in her schoolwork and sports activities. She was an avid athlete and swimmer and led her field hockey and swimming teams.

While at St. Andrew's, Kate also took an interest in theater, taking part in school productions.

Kate and her sister Pippa were Brownies, and participated in skill-building activities that one could earn a badge for, and field trips. Their pack leader spoke well of Kate, calling her easygoing and saying that the Middleton children were well-adjusted and pleasant.

While at St. Andrew's, Kate also took an interest in theater, taking part in school productions playing the lead in "My Fair Lady," and the musical drama, "Murder in the Red Barn." Speaking about the value of after-school activities, the princess said:

"I think it's so great for physical and mental wellbeing and laying those foundations. It's such a great environment to actually spend time in, building those quality relationships without the distractions."

She then attended the Marlborough College, a boarding school in Wiltshire where she sat for her A-level exams in Chemistry, Biology, and Art. While there, the duchess also represented the school in athletics and team sports.

Royal Romance

Kate took a gap year in 2000 to travel and have various experiences that took her from Florence to Chile and then out to sea as a crew member for Round The World vessels. In 2001, she joined the University of St. Andrews in Scotland to study art History where she met her future husband.

Kate wed her prince at Westminster Abbey. An estimated global audience of more than 300 million tuned in to watch the wedding of the year.

Prince William, who is currently first in line to the throne was enrolled in the same degree program and living in the same residence hall. They began dating, but status demanded they keep as low a profile as possible. Kate and William succeeded in keeping their relationship private until they were photographed together while on a ski trip in 2004.

Kate graduated from university in 2005 began working as a buyer for a clothing store. She also helped out at her parents' business and did charity work. Media speculation about their marriage was rife during this time. Speaking about how he planned the surprise proposal, Prince William said:

"As every guy out there will know, it takes a certain amount of motivation to get yourself going. So I was planning it and then it just felt really right out in Africa. It was beautiful."

In November 2010, the secretive couple announced their engagement. The news created an international sensation. William presented Kate with a flawless sapphire engagement ring; that to his late mother, Princess Diana used to wear. As Kate wed her prince at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, over 300 million people around the world tuned in to watch the wedding of the year.

Happy Birthday Kate

As Kate turns 41 today, she has come into her own as a wife, a mother, and the future queen. The recent death of Queen Victoria ushered in a period of transition for the Windsors.

As his father took the throne, Prince William stepped into new responsibilities. Referring to the Duchess of Cornwall's corresponding role, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Prince William's former private secretary, said:

"She is a matriarch. Not in the sense of an older woman in a twin set and pearls, but she guides the family and advises [William] when he wants it."

But Kate has found joy and satisfaction in being a mother to her three children. She and Prince William are involved parents.

They tackled homeschooling during the pandemic, and now they try to drop off and pick up their children from school as much as possible. Their close relationship is also evident during public family appearances, where Kate shines as a skilled and gracious mom.

As royals, their lives are dedicated to the British people, but Kate Middleton wants her children to develop with as little pressure as possible. She provides that sense of normalcy by emphasizing the simple things like taking walks or baking together. If the crown for the people's princess is up for grabs, she would be the heir apparent.