Royal wedding: a love match that was meant

Hottest couple on the planet. They’re young, good-looking and in love. When they marry at Westminster Abbey on Friday an estimated two billion people worldwide will watch the royal wedding ceremony. She was born on January 9 1982 (a Capricorn) at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, the daughter of Carole and Michael Middleton, and christened Catherine Elizabeth at St Andrew’s Church

Prince William was born five months later on June 21 (a Gemini) at St Margaret’s Hospital in London, the first son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William Arthur Philip Louis was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace.

While “Baby Wales”, as his mother called him, was growing up in Kensington Palace with his younger brother, Harry, and attending Wetherby School, Kate was thriving. She lived in a semi-detached house in the village of Bradfield, and attended Bradfield Church of England Primary School.

Living in Jordan the family returned to Bradfield, then moved to Bucklebury when Kate was five. William’s early childhood was also a happy one. At Highgrove he enjoyed hunting, shooting and fishing with his father; with his mother and Harry he had marvellous adventures.

Kate Middleton left Downe House, a private school, in 1995 because she was bullied. Her parents sent her to Marlborough College. From then on she blossomed. Liked for her sense of fun, reliability and loyalty, she excelled at sports; her flair for acting won her the lead part in school plays.