Catherine

DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE

Shy and awkward as a young teen, Kate Middleton never dreamed of a life in the spotlight. But from the moment she and Prince William announced their engagement on Nov. 16, 2010, to the recent birth of the couple’s third child on April 23—six days ahead of her seventh wedding anniversary, Kate, 36, has wowed the world with her sophistication, style and grace under pressure. COLLEEN HARRIS, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY TO PRINCE CHARLES: When Prince William announced that he was marrying Catherine Middleton there were a lot of raised eyebrows at the palace. People were quite shocked that he was marrying what they would call a commoner, an ordinary middle-class girl with no background in royalty or aristocracy. People then sort of thought, an ordinary person can grow up and marry into the royal family ... How exciting! LADY ELIZABETH ANSON: The wedding surprised us all because I don’t think that anybody thought they’d get ... such massive interest. And the Queen came to the dinner that I gave, and she said the whole world’s gone mad behind me! You know, there are 500 photographers. PENNY JUNOR, AUTHOR: William and Kate are fantastically good parents. They’re much more hands-on than Diana and Charles ever were. LORRAINE HEGGESSEY, CEO OF THE ROYAL

FOUNDATION: [Kate] is not somebody who pushes herself forward, but she is very confident in her views. She often spots the nub of the issue or a critical thing that needs dealing with. It was [her] idea that the foundation should focus on mental health. I have found her incredibly wise.

The future of the Monarchy: Kate and William (with George, 5, Charlotte, 3, and Louis, 4 months, at Louis’ July christening) are creating a new royal dynasty, according to historian Hugo Vickers.

London came to a standstill for Kate and William’s April 29, 2011, wedding. “There’s always a fascination when you see a commoner arrive at the place of their marriage and leave as a royal highness,” says author Alastair Bruce.