Happy Birthday Kate! The Duchess of Cambridge turns 31 today, capping a remarkable year in the life of the young royal.
In the past 12 months, she's announced her pregnancy, toured the world with her husband Prince William and even been the subject of a topless scandal (ooo-er!).
The mother-to-be has been keeping a low profile of late, having been hospitalised in December with a form of acute morning sickness, called hyperemesis gravidarum, and is limiting her public engagements while she recovers.
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She had appeared earlier that month to present the Sports Personality Of The Year Awards, but is not expected to travel on any royal tours abroad until 2014.
Kate married William on April 29 2011 in a glittering Westminster Abbey ceremony in front of a television audience of billions.
As the couple nest in preparation of the arrival of their first child, we've brought you 31 photographs of the birthday girl.

Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge drink from a coconut from a tree planted by the Queen during a visit to a Tuvalu village as part of their nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
London Olympic Games - Day 4
An Australian athlete tries to present a cuddly Kangaroo to the Duchess of Cambridge which she declined, but was then accepted by Prince Harry (behind her) during a visit to the Team GB accommodation flats in the Athletes Village at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London.
The Royal Wedding
Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge emerge from Westminster Abbey after the wedding ceremony.
Sport - BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 - ExCeL Arena
Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2012, Bradley Wiggins (centre) accepts his award onstage from The Duchess of Cambridge (left) during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2012 at ExCeL Arena, London.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Four
The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
NOTE ALTERNATE CROP.The Duchess of Cambridge is carried from a boat to the plane in Marau in Guadacanal Province, Solomon Islands, before departing for Tuvalu during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal visit to North East
The Duchess of Cambridge receives flowers from two year old Lola Mackay - who wouldn't let go of them - during a visit to the CRI Stockton Recovery Service, in Stockton-On-Tees.
The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts Royal visit
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge iron artwork they had just made to silk, during a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge dances with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Duchess of Cambridge visits Oxford
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to school children as she arrives at Oxford Spires Academy School in Oxford to visit the Art Room facilities.
Royal visit to St George's Park
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Frank Lampard of England during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Royal visit to St George's Park
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge play a reaction game in the new gym during the official launch of The Football Association's National Football Centre at St George's Park in Burton-upon-Trent, England.
Royal visit to Cambridgeshire
The Duchess of Cambridge reacts as to the crowd as she arrives at Senate House, University of Cambridge, as the Royal couple mark their first official joint visit to Cambridgeshire as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Duchess of Cambridge visits St Andrew's School
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey on the new Astroturf playing field during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Kate
Britain's Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, flexes her biceps after pushing in the last blade of a Rolls-Royce wide chord fan blade during her tour of the Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, in Singapore. Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and his wife Kate were the guests of honor at the official unveiling ceremony of the first Rolls-Royce Wide Chord Fan Blade and Trent aero engine to be produced in Singapore.(AP Photo / Bryan van der Beek)
Royals attend sports project launch
The Duchess of Cambridge plays table tennis during a visit to Bacon's College in Greenwich, London to attend the launch of a new sports project that aims to train the next generation of sports coaches.
Duchess of Cambridge visits Liverpool
RETRANSMITTED ADDING NAME OF CHILDThe Duchess of Cambridge is hugged by three year old Nancy Williams, from the Old School Nursery in Knotty Ash, as she arrives at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool.
Duchess of Cambridge expecting
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the King Edward VII hospital in London where the Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted with severe morning sickness.
The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge tries a smoothie called the 'Duchess'at the Brink Bar, The Brink is an alcohol-free bar which is a social enterprise run primarily to help people recovering from drink and drug addiction on February 14, 2012 in Liverpool, England. Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge is in Liverpool visiting charities in the city without husband Prince William who is serving in the Falklands. During the visit to The Brink, she was presented with a Valentine's Day cupcake, cards and flowers by eight-year-old Jaqson Johnston-Lynch. Later she is to visit Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House. (Photo by Mark Large - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Olympics Day 6 - Cycling - Track
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge during Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Velodrome on August 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
London Paralympic Games - Day 1
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take part in a Mexican wave as they watch the cycling in the Velodrome at the Paralympic Games in Stratford, London.
Royal visit to Nottingham
The Duchess of Cambridge throws a foam javelin at a children's sports event, during her visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Eight
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the BMO Centre to watch the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
London Olympic Games - Day 7
(Middle row left - right) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and The Earl (front row, 2nd right) and Sophie Countess of Wessex (front row right) watch the Women's 800m Freestyle Final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park, London, on the seventh day of the London 2012 Olympics.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in California - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as the Duke of Cambridge comments on her artistic skills during a visit to the Inner City Arts club in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Duchess of Cambridge visits school scheme
The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Expanding Horizons Primary School Scheme, taking part in outdoor activities at Widehorizons' Margaret McMillan House in Wrotham, Kent.
The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Olympic Park
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey with the GB hockey teams at the Riverside Arena in the Olympic Park.
London Paralympic Games - Day 4
The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Wessex (left) and Lady Louise Windsor (centre) watch the rowing finals at Eton Dorney in Berkshire during the Paralympic Games.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Four
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at City Hall in Quebec where they attended a Freedom of the City Ceremony. ........NO SALES to Landov picture Agency
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Oh go on, here's a few more too...

The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Olympic Park
The Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey with the GB hockey teams at the Riverside Arena in the Olympic Park.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge gets into costume with locals at Vaiaku Falekaupule during a visit to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, during a nine-day royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Duchess of Cambridge visits Hope House treatment centre in Clapham
The Duchess of Cambridge leaves the addiction charity's Hope House treatment centre in Clapham, South London following her visit.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Two
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Two
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
London Olympic Games - Day 10
Duchess of Cambridge watches the Olympic Laser Radial medal race off Weymouth today.
Olympics Day 13 - Around the Games
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 9: Prince Harry and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visit athletes at Team GB House in the Westfield Centre on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Olympics Day 14 - Hockey: New Zealand v Great Britain
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Women's Hockey bronze medal match between New Zealand and Great Britain on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Riverbank Arena Hockey Centre on August 10, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
London Paralympic Games - Day 1
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 30: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves the Velodrome after watching cycling events at the London 2012 Paralympic Games on August 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
London Paralympic Games - Day 1
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 30: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Aquatic Centre in the Olympic Park to watch the evening swimming session at the London 2012 Paralympic Games on August 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
2012 London Paralympics - Day 1 - Cycling - Track
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge claps on day 1 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Velodrome on August 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
2012 London Paralympics - Day 4 - Athletics
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge takes part in the medal ceremony for the Men's Discus Throw - F42 on day 4 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on September 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
2012 London Paralympics - Day 4 - Athletics
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Gold medalist Aled Davies of Great Britain is presented his medal by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the medal ceremony for the Men's Discus Throw - F42 on day 4 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on September 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Miles Willis/Getty Images)
2012 London Paralympics - Day 4 - Rowing
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Eton Dorney venue to watch the days rowing competitions on day 4 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Eton Dorney on September 2, 2012 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
Royals Attend Thistle Service - Edinburgh
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Thistle Service for the installation of Prince William, Earl of Strathearn as a Knight of the Thistle at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh on July 5, 2012
Diamond Jubilee - Service of Thanksgiving At St Pauls Cathedral
Kate Duchess of Cambridge arrives at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, London as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations Tuesday June 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Tim Hales, Pool)
Royal visit to Nottingham
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she visits Vernon Park during a Diamond Jubilee visit to Nottingham on June 13, 2012.
Queen Elizabeth II Hosts A Garden Party At Buckingham Palace
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 29: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Devlin - WPA Pool /Getty Images)
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend Imperial War Museum reception
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception at the Imperial War Museum in London on April 26, 2012.
Royal visit to Leicester
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge listens to a welcome speech in Leicester City Centre as she accompanies The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Leicester on March 8, 2012. The visit marks the first of Queen Elizabeth ll's Diamond Jubilee tours of the UK.
St Patrick's Day Parade
The Duchess of Cambridge as she presents shamrocks to The Irish Guards at their St Patrick's Day Parade at the Mons Barracks in Aldershot. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 17, 2012. Members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards will receive traditional sprigs of shamrock from the Duchess of Cambridge at their St Patrick's Day parade today. See PA story ROYAL Barracks. Photo credit should read: Paul Vicente/Sunday Times/PA Wire
Duchess of Cambridge visits East Anglia's Children's Hospices
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge officially opens The Treehouse Children's Hospice in Ipswich on March 19, 2012.
Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition - London
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits the National Portrait Gallery on London on February 8, 2012.
War Horse UK Film Premiere - London
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the UK Premiere of War Horse at the Odeon, Leicester Square on January 8, 2012
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 2
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 12: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Gardens by the Bay on day 2 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 12, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East taking in Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and the tiny Pacific Island of Tuvalu. (Photo by Mark Large - Pool/Getty Images)
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 1st wedding anniversary
File photo dated 21/04/12 ofthe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Santa Barbara Polo Club in California, USA, where the Duke will play in a charity match.
Kate Middleton
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, attends a rodeo demonstration at the Calgary Stampede on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Calgary, Alberta. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Eight
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the BMO Centre after a Rodeo reception, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Two
The Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to the Canadian Museum of Civilisation in Gatineau, Quebec, where she and the Duke of Cambridge watched new citizens receive their Citizen certificates on Canada Day.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day One
The Duchess of Cambridge waves to well-wishers, as she and the Duke of Cambridge arrive at the Rideau Hall in Ottawa Canada.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Seven
The Duchess of Cambridge at Parliament Hill in Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations on the second day of her visit to the Commonwealth country.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Eight
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Calgary Airport, Canada.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Seven
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watch the Canada Day's Evening show on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for Canada on the second day of their visit to the Commonwealth country.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 1st wedding anniversary
File photo dated 05/07/11 ofthe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Blachford Lake near Yellowknife.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada - Day Five
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in the province of Prince Edward Island during their visit to Canada.
Prince's Trust concert - London
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Royal Albert Hall in London to attend a concert in support of the Prince's Trust and The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry on December 6, 2011.
2011 BAFTA Brits To Watch Event
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the 2011 BAFTA Brits To Watch Event at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Royal visit to open hospital unit
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital on September 29, 2011 in Sutton, England.
Prince's Trust concert - London
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Royal Albert Hall in London to attend a concert in support of the Prince's Trust and The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry on December 6, 2011.
2011 BAFTA Brits To Watch Event
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive at the 2011 BAFTA Brits To Watch Event at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
William at 30
File photo dated 30/04/11 ofthe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walking hand in hand from Buckingham Palace in London the day after their wedding.
The Royal Wedding
The Duchess of Cambridge leaves Clarence House to travel to Buckingham Palace for the evening celebrations following her wedding earlier.
The Royal Wedding
Catherine Middleton arrives at Westminster Abbey with her sister and Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton to marry Prince William on April 29, 2011.
Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London. AP Photo/Martin Meissner
President Obama state visit to UK- Day One
The wife of U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama (R), talks to Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace, in London May 24, 2011. President Barack Obama on Tuesday begins a visit to Britain where he and Prime Minister David Cameron will review NATO action to help end conflict in Libya and Western policy towards uprisings in the Arab world. REUTERS/Toby Melville (BRITAIN - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY ROYALS)
William and Kate visit Sutton - London
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital on September 29, 2011 in Sutton, England.
The Chakravarty Cup Polo Match
TETBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 10: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Kate Middleton watches Prince William and Prince Harry play in the Chakravarty Cup polo match at the Beaufort Polo Club on July 10, 2010 in Tetbury, England. (Photo by Indigo/Getty Images)
Prince William and Kate Middleton Attend Harry Meade And Rosie Bradford's Wedding
CHELTENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 23: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Kate Middleton attends Harry Meade & Rosie Bradford's wedding at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Northleach, on October 23, 2010 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Indigo/Getty Images)
Royal engagement
Prince William and Kate Middleton pose for photographs in the State Apartments of St James Palace on November 16, 2010 in London. After much speculation, Clarence House today announced the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton. The couple will get married in either the Spring or Summer of next year and continue to live in North Wales while Prince William works as an air sea rescue pilot for the RAF. The couple became engaged during a recent holiday in Kenya having been together for eight years.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge waxworks
File photo dated 16/11/2010 of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a photocall in the State Apartments of St James's Palace, London to mark their engagement.








Huffington Post UK | By Sara C Nelson Posted: 08/01/2013 22:21 GMT | Updated: 08/01/2013 22:23 GMT