Next Princess Kate Middleton Cute Photo Collection

Catherine Middleton is being tipped as the royal family's next people's princess.

With Diana, Princess of Wales' sapphire ring on her finger and Diana's son on her arm, she is already aware of the legacy that stands before her.

As she posed for her engagement pictures with Prince William, there was an uncanny similarity to the photos of Diana 29 years earlier.

Both women opted for the same shade of blue as they stood with their arms looped through that of their fiances, with the large oval sapphire and diamond ring on show.

Both spoke of the 'daunting' prospect ahead of them.

Yet Catherine is already marking herself out as very different from the bashful royal bride who became the world's most photographed woman.

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton has entered the public arena in a more assured way than Diana Spencer.

Confident and poised, observers say she has all the appearance of someone who has been groomed for royal duty, possessing a knowing look, secure in her knowledge of William's affections and intentions.

Diana, in contrast, emerged as 'Shy Di'. She was demure and blushed as she posed for her engagement pictures, her eyes peering out from under her long fringe.

Both came to the nation's attention in see-through outfits - but in markedly different ways.

Eager to please, Diana posed up for the cameras at the kindergarten where she worked in September 1980, five months before her engagement to the Prince of Wales.

But she was oblivious to the fact she was backlit by the sun and that her legs could be seen through her long pale-coloured skirt.

In 2002, Catherine strode down a catwalk at a charity fashion show in a transparent dress with black knickers and bra underneath, in front of an audience and future beau William.

When one friend once remarked she was lucky to be with William, she reportedly quipped: 'He's lucky to be going out with me'.

In contrast, in the early days of Diana's relationship with Charles, she ventured to say to one of his confidants: 'If I am lucky enough to be the Princess of Wales...'

She was 19 when she became betrothed to Charles. Catherine was 28 at the time.

Better educated with A-Levels and a degree in history of art under her belt, Catherine is more worldly wise and on an equal footing with her fiance.

Diana was 13 years younger than the Prince of Wales, but Catherine is five months older than William and they have already lived together at St Andrews, and she spends part of the week with William in Anglesey.

She hails from a far steadier family background than William's mother.

Her parents are still together, sparing her any of the anguish suffered by Diana, whose own mother and father split acrimoniously when she was only young.

Her non-aristocratic background differs from the posh Spencer circles of Diana - whose sister married the Queen's private secretary and whose grandmother was a confidante of the Queen Mother.

Charles was under pressure to find a wife and Diana fitted the bill.

The prince told a friend he was sure he could fall in love with her, but we now know his heart was already taken by Camilla Parker-Bowles.

He had been heir to the throne since he was three years old and was well aware it was his duty to secure the monarchy's future.

Lord Mountbatten advised Charles to find a virgin bride and Diana seemed ideal.

Catherine and William, in contrast, are not under the same time pressures. William is still only second-in-line to the throne.

However, Catherine has not escaped speculation as to her traditional suitability as an untouched royal bride.

The Spectator magazine once commented that she 'may still have her V-plates intact'.

While she is a brunette and Diana was blonde, both are tall and willowy and deemed English roses.

Both were educated at public school where they were popular and sporty, captaining the hockey team and excelling at tennis.

Diana had a warmth and openness which attracted Charles, something Catherine is said to possess too.

Their backgrounds were clear of potential tabloid fodder. Diana appeared squeaky clean, as does Catherine, although she was known to 'moon' out of the window at boys at boarding school.

Diana, at her first official royal event with Charles after their engagement in March 1981, was pictured arriving in her car at Goldsmiths Hall wearing a plunging strapless evening gown.

In December 2006, Catherine unwittingly flashed a fishnet clad thigh while getting into a car after a night out with William and Harry.

But on her first official public engagement in Anglesey in February 2011, she wore a demure Katherine Hooker-tailored herringbone coat.

In a clever move, she had recycled the outfit, which she wore five years earlier at Cheltenham races, and had the length shortened.

Catherine, like Diana, is keenly aware of her actions in front of the media.

Press who doorstepped Diana in the early days found her friendly. Catherine has also politely told photographers she cannot pose for pictures, helpfully giving them just enough time to take a snap.

She endured intense media attention outside her own home, like Diana did, as speculation gathered pace that she could be the country's next Queen.

Before her own engagement, Diana once broke down in tears at the intrusion, prompting photographers to place a note of apology under her windscreen wiper.

Her mother, Frances Shand Kydd, wrote to The Times to complain about 'harassment'.

Before her own engagement, Diana, however, invited a newspaper journalist into her flat for a chat and a cup of tea.

Catherine is tougher and has kept the media well at bay.

Royal wedding: Kate Middleton is urged to spurn her 'too sexy' Brazilian designer

Kate Middleton is advised to wear a bridal gown by a British designer when she marries Prince William.

Some people are suggesting that Kate Midleton should get her wedding gown from a British couturier Photo: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

By Richard Eden 6:28AM GMT 21 Nov 2010

Kate Middleton is rapidly discovering that royal wedding planning is a collective enterprise. For her bridal gown, she favours the Brazilian designer Daniella Helayel, but Prince William's fiancée is being strongly urged by palace officials to use a British couturier.

"Kate has been advised that while Helayel makes stunning cocktail dresses, her designs are too sexy for a royal wedding," says my man with the tailor's scissors. "The Royal family believes that we should support British talent whenever it is possible."

Viscountess Linley, who married the son of Princess Margaret in 1993, has joined the officials in suggesting that Kate should buy British.

"My wedding dress was designed by Bruce Robbins," says the wife of Viscount Linley at a party in Belgravia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Linley, the furniture firm owned by her husband. "He was known for his work with Marks & Spencer."

Does she think that Kate will opt for a British designer? "I hope so," says Lady Linley, whose daughter, Margarita, eight, is expected to be a bridesmaid at the wedding.

Bruce Oldfield, who designed Samantha Cameron's wedding dress, is understood to be among the leading contenders, along with Alice Temperley and Dame Vivienne Westwood.
Her use of Oldfield, who was a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales, would increase the comparisons between Kate and William's late mother.
However, she has already happily accepted the engagement ring that Diana was given by William's father, the Prince of Wales, and described her as "an inspirational woman to look up to on this day".
For the engagement announcement, Kate wore a blue dress by Helayel, whose label is called Issa. Yesterday, the Brazilian, whose dresses have been worn by Kate for some years, said she was keen to be chosen for the bridal gown.
"I would be so nervous," said the publicity-loving Helayel. "Maybe I should start making it now. We are very thrilled with the engagement news. It's fantastic and we wish Kate and William all the best. I am very happy. She is a very pretty and lovely girl – and I am happy that she wears Issa. I just think she wears clothes very well."

Next Princess Kate Middleton Photo Collection

Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the fiancée of Prince William of Wales. Since their relationship began, Middleton has received widespread media attention and there was much speculation that they would eventually marry. On 16 November 2010, the office of the Prince of Wales at Clarence House announced their engagement. On 23 November, it was announced the wedding will take place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, with the day declared a bank holiday in the UK.  Middleton grew up in Berkshire and, after attending Marlborough College, went to the University of St Andrews, where she met Prince William, also studying there, in 2001. They started a relationship, followed by media attention, triggering complaints by Middleton that the media were harassing her. In April 2007, the press reported that William and Middleton had split up. They continued to be friends, and later in 2007 they reunited. Since then, Middleton has attended many high-profile royal events. She has been admired for her fashion sense and has been placed on numerous "best dressed" lists.

fresh from sea

fresh from sea

Kate Middleton Pictures 2011

 Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the fiancée of Prince William of Wales. Since their relationship began, Middleton has received widespread media attention and there was much speculation that they would eventually marry. On 16 November 2010, the office of the Prince of Wales at Clarence House announced their engagement. On 23 November, it was announced the wedding will take place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, with the day declared a bank holiday in the UK.
Middleton grew up in Berkshire and, after attending Marlborough College, went to the University of St Andrews, where she met Prince William, also studying there, in 2001. They started a relationship, followed by media attention, triggering complaints by Middleton that the media were harassing her. In April 2007, the press reported that William and Middleton had split up. They continued to be friends, and later in 2007 they reunited. Since then, Middleton has attended many high-profile royal events. She has been admired for her fashion sense and has been placed on numerous "best dressed" lists.

Kate Middleton Pictures 2011

 Catherine Elizabeth "Kate" Middleton (born 9 January 1982) is the fiancée of Prince William of Wales. Since their relationship began, Middleton has received widespread media attention and there was much speculation that they would eventually marry. On 16 November 2010, the office of the Prince of Wales at Clarence House announced their engagement. On 23 November, it was announced the wedding will take place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, with the day declared a bank holiday in the UK.
Middleton grew up in Berkshire and, after attending Marlborough College, went to the University of St Andrews, where she met Prince William, also studying there, in 2001. They started a relationship, followed by media attention, triggering complaints by Middleton that the media were harassing her. In April 2007, the press reported that William and Middleton had split up. They continued to be friends, and later in 2007 they reunited. Since then, Middleton has attended many high-profile royal events. She has been admired for her fashion sense and has been placed on numerous "best dressed" lists.