Kate Middleton will celebrate her 30th birthday on Monday, and palace officials have indicated that the Duchess of Cambridge will have something low-key and private.

2011 was a year of change for Middleton who married Prince William in fairytale Royal Wedding in April before embarking on several travels around the world, which included a tour of Canada and California in the summer. She reportedly wore more than 25 outfits for her U.S.-Canada tour.

Middleton, who is now known as a style icon, was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on Jan. 9 1982. She is the child of self-made millionaire parents, according to British newspapers.

The UK's Telegraph reported that when she was 13, Middleton went to the £15,000-a-year Marlborough College in Wiltshire. She enrolled at the University of St Andrews, Fife, in 2001 and graduated in 2005.

In her undergraduate years Middleton played sports. Her hobbies reportedly include walking, tennis, swimming, sailing and painting. Middleton met her future husband at St Andrews and has worked in London as a part-time buyer for the clothing company Jigsaw Junior.

Middleton and William's engagement was announced in November 2010 and they got married on April 29 last year.

You can start the slideshow to see pictures of Kate Middleton on the journey from being daddy's little princess to Prince William's wife, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Venice film festival 2011
Actress Keira Knightley holds a cuddly toy given to her by co-star Viggo Mortensen at a photocall for their film "A Dangerous Method" which is in competition at the 68th Venice Film Festival September 2, 2011. Reuters
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