Side-By-Side Pics Show How Much Kate Middleton Has Changed Since Her Wedding Day

Kate Middleton's royal wedding on April 29, 2011, has gone down in history as one of the most memorable moments for the British royal family in recent years. In the early years of her courtship with William, Prince of Wales, the British press was skeptical of Kate; she was a commoner, hailing from middle-class parents, and unaccustomed to the demands and spotlight of the monarchy. But she won everyone over, and with her wedding to William, Kate became one of the most essential figures of the modern British monarchy, acting as a steady and reliable force within a family that has experienced scandal after scandal. Where would they be without her? With such an impressive feat — winning over not only the royal family but also the irascible British press — it's no wonder that Kate has changed since her wedding day. 

Max Mumby/indigo & Wpa Pool/Getty

Kate was 29 years old on the day she married William. Since then, the couple has welcomed three children, and Kate underwent a cancer diagnosis as well as treatment in 2024. Queen Elizabeth II died, thus giving William and Catherine a higher ranking in the monarchy and more responsibility. These many changes and pressures take a toll. So when she and William visited Borough Market food hall in London, England, in March 2026, Kate showed signs of aging. She had lines around her eyes and her skin was less elastic around her mouth compared to her wedding day, though her beautiful smile remained the same. 

With so many stars and figures in the spotlight opting for plastic surgery to fight signs of aging, Kate Middleton seems to be one of the rare cases of graceful aging. There doesn't seem to be a ban on plastic surgery amongst the royals — for instance, Sarah Ferguson has opened up about the work she's had done — but for Kate, it seems to be a personal choice to go without. Or, if she has done it, it's almost undetectable. However, rumors have circulated anyway. In 2019, London plastic surgeon Dr. Munir Somji claimed that Kate had "baby Botox," a procedure where small amounts of Botox are used to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, per Page Six. In a rare moment of media involvement, Kensington Palace denied these rumors. 

However, there are things that the Princess of Wales has changed about her appearance since her wedding day, particularly when it comes to her beauty and fashion game. Kate Middleton has undergone a total and stunning style transformation since 2011, transforming into an impeccably coiffed royal woman. On top of that, Kate's beauty routine has totally changed over the years. Her makeup is more glamorous and deliberate than it was in her early days as a royal; her brows are thicker and more pronounced, and her eye makeup is consistently darker and more prominent. That being said, Kate also looks stunning without makeup on the rare occasions she decides to go natural. Clearly, Kate continues to move to the beat of her own drum, and that includes aging in a way that empowers her.