Photos from Kate’s family album

A series of family snaps of royal bride-to-be Kate Middleton were released – showing her growing up from a child to Prince William’s girlfriend.

The photographs were taken from the Middleton family album and released for the first time as pace gathers towards her big day in April when she walks down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.

The images show a sequence of private moments – showing special occasions from the 29-year-old former shop worker’s life.

She is shown on holiday with her family, determinedly climbing a rock while on holiday and graduating from St Andrew’s University in Fife.

The first image shows a smiling Kate, taken when she was five years old.

In it she looks mischievous with the sun falling across her face, her hair tied back but tumbling down at the front around her forehead and ears.

The second photograph shows Kate, aged four, with her father Michael and sister Pippa in Jerash, Jordan.

In this shot the trio are relaxing on the rocks and enjoying the sights of one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture.

The family moved to Amman in May 1984 when Kate was two and her father worked there for two-and-a-half-years.

Another image demonstrates the young Kate’s playful side and love of a challenge.

Aged three-and-a-half, she climbs a steep rock, on all fours, while on holiday in the Lake District. She is a picture of fun and happiness – wearing a colourful striped jumper, her hair in pigtails, her gaze fixed on the summit of her journey.

There is a jump through the years with the next photograph to Graduation Day at St Andrew’s University in 2005. The child has blossomed into a woman.

Ms Middleton looking radiant and proud of her 2:1 in history of art. Minus the graduation cap, she is wearing her gown with a white open-necked blouse and pearl earrings.

The final picture gives a glimpse of what the future had to hold.

Ms Middleton shares an embrace with Prince William for the camera on graduation day.

The couple have an arm around each other while Ms Middleton’s right hand rests on the prince’s stomach while he holds it with his left hand.

An official breakdown of Ms Middleton’s biography was also released on to the royal wedding website.

In it she lists her hobbies as including hill walking, tennis, swimming, sailing, photography and painting.

A keen sportswoman, she competed as a teenager on the hockey pitch, athletics track and netball and tennis courts. She was particularly good at the high jump.

Ms Middleton went on to study A-levels in chemistry, biology and art at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

She then enjoyed a gap year, studying at the British Institute in Florence, helping development work in Chile, and crewing on Round the World Challenge boats in the Solent.

After university she worked for the family business Party Pieces and clothing company Jigsaw.

The biography and photographs came as the veil of secrecy appeared to be lifted over who would design her wedding dress.

The Sunday Times reported Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen would create the dress.

But the Sunday Express hinted the job had gone to designer Bruce Oldfield.

Clarence House refused to comment on the claims.