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Their lives before meeting

Prince William, the eldest son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, was born on 21 June 1982 at St Mary's Hospital, London. He was christened on the Queen Mother's 82nd birthday in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace.

The prince went to Wetherby School in London and then Ludgrove School in Berkshire before entering Eton in 1995. He finished school with A-levels in geography, biology and history of art as well as 12 GCSEs.

As a schoolboy, he witnessed the breakdown of his parents' marriage, followed by the tragic death of his mother in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

He took a gap year between school and university in which he went to Mauritius, spent time in Africa, trekked with the British Army in Belize and worked as a Raleigh International volunteer in Chile.

Kate Middleton was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

She attended schools in Berkshire before going to Marlborough College in neighbouring Wiltshire where she attained 11 GCSEs and three A-Levels.

Their relationship

Prince William and Kate Middleton both started out on the same history of art course at Scotland's University of St Andrews in 2001, although William later switched to geography. Kate was credited with persuading the prince to stay on as he struggled to adjust to university life during his first year.

For several years, they shared accommodation with friends. The couple's relationship apparently flourished during weekends at the Queen's Balmoral estate.

In 2005 William graduated with a 2:1 degree, making him one of the most academically successful royals.

After several months of work experience, he joined his younger brother Harry for officer training at Sandhurst. While there, he also carried out his first solo engagements, attending ceremonies in New Zealand on behalf of the Queen.

Kate also graduated with a 2:1 degree and moved to London. She worked as an accessories buyers for High Street fashion chain Jigsaw, in Kew.

In 2007 the prince and Miss Middleton split up for some months. The break-up followed media pressure and paparazzi attention. But the couple were reunited, and Kate was present when the prince received his RAF wings in April 2008.

In 2010, Prince William went on his first royal overseas tour. He has also taken on numerous patronages, including as president of the Football Association.

On 16 November 2010, Clarence House announced that the pair were engaged. The prince had proposed on holiday in Kenya in October, giving his fiance his mother's engagement ring. The pair will be married on 29 April 2011.