As she prepares to celebrate her 42nd birthday, Catherine, Princess of Wales, might very well take time to reflect on just how much life has changed in the past 12 months.
It had already been an extraordinary journey for Catherine Middleton, from an ordinary - albeit well-heeled - background to a life of royalty.
But the death of Queen Elizabeth II means that she has been asked to make another giant step forward - from supporting cast to starring role.
Today, as Princess of Wales, Catherine is one of the four key people
holding the British monarchy together, ably supported by the Duke and
Duchess of Edinburgh. Read @http://tinyurl.com/4s93535d