Kate and Pippa Middleton also have a brother, James

Kate and Pippa Middleton are strong girls who can handle their fame, according to their former teacher. 

Kevin Allford, who taught the sisters French at Berkshire prep school St Andrew's, says Kate, 30, and Pippa, 28, are unlikely to buckle under the pressure of being public figures.

'They were both tough,' says Kevin.

'Though Pippa was tougher than her sister, better at taking knocks than Catherine.'

After Kate's wedding to Prince William, 29, in April 2011, Pippa became a global celebrity, with  her bottom being discussed as passionately as Kate's stunning dress.

But as teenagers, the Middleton girls displayed no sibling rivalry.

'There was never fierce competition between the girls,' Kevin tells the Daily Mail.

'One never said to the other: "I can beat you."'

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Anna Duff