Kate Middleton’s 42nd birthday is here!
The Princess of Wales, who is spending the day privately, received a special birthday message fromKing CharlesandQueen Camillaon Monday. The British royal family’s official X/Twitter page posted a sweet tribute featuring a photo of Princess Kate.
King Charles wears theImperial State Crown, while Princess Kate sports a bespokeJess Collett x Alexander McQueen headpiecewith her Royal Victorian Order robe.
The birthday post came with a simple message: “Wishing The Princess of Wales a very happy birthday today!”
Westminster Abbey in London (where Princess Kate wed Prince William in April 2011) rang its bells in honor of the royal’s birthday.
Although Westminster Abbey was known for ringing its bells to celebrate the birthdays of numerous senior members of the royal family, the tradition has changed amid financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before 2020, the bells marked the birthdays of 12 royals. Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and their four children — then now-King Charles,Princess Anne,Prince AndrewandPrince Edward— all received the honor, as did Charles' wife, Camilla. Prince William, Kate and their three kids completed the list.
In 2024, the bells will ring for the four most senior royals' birthdays: Princess Kate on Jan. 9, Prince William on June 21, Queen Camilla on July 17 and King Charles on Nov. 14. They will also ring on June 15 for Trooping the Colour, the King’s public birthday celebrations as well as other royal occasions such as the coronation anniversary on May 6.
Westminster Abbey alsoshared a photoof the Princess of Wales attending her third annual Christmas carol concert, held at the London venue, last month in honor of her birthday.
Princess Kate also received well-wishes from military groups and charities of which she serves as a patron.
“From all Irish Guards, we would like to wish our Regimental Colonel, HRH The Princess of Wales a very happy birthday. Quis Separabit,” the Irish Guardsposted on Xalong with photos of Kate fromSt. Patrick’s Day last yearand her first visit to the regiment aftershe became honorary Colonel. King Charles gave Kate the position in December 2022.
The National Portrait Gallery honored its patronwith a postthat featured a photo from her visit in June, while the charity Place2Bethanked the royalfor her work supporting children and families.
Meanwhile, the Scoutsshared a photoof Princess Kate and Prince William with their three children —Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis— from May when the whole family stepped out for a volunteering day as part of the coronation weekend festivities. “A very happy birthday to our Joint President, HRH The Princess of Wales. Thanks for all you do for Scouts!” they wrote.
Prince William, Princess Kate and their children on May 8, 2023.Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty
Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty
Jane Hartley, the U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., also shared a birthday message to the royal on social media,writing, “Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales!”
Prince William, 41, and Princess Kate often set aside a weekend at the start of the year to entertain their family and friends for a few days of shooting and other country pursuits in conjunction with Kate’s birthday. Theguest listhas previously included Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, William’s lifelong friendTom van Straubenzeeand his wife Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe, James Meade and his wife Laura, neighbor and longtime pal Sophie Snuggs and her husband Robert.
“At the end of the day, she’s in training to be a future queen, but honestly you would never know it,” a source close to Katepreviously told PEOPLE. “If you go round to her house, you get a cup of tea, and it’s often William who makes it! It’s a lovely, welcoming house, not a fancy, stuffy palace in any way.”
Kate Middleton and Prince William in Sept. 2023.CAMERON SMITH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
CAMERON SMITH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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Like other royal consorts in history, Princess Kate has a toughness behind the scenes as she supports her husband and future king William.
“She has this public image of being nice and smiley and, dare I say, innocuous,” royal author Valentine Lowrecently told PEOPLE. “But she is actually strong-minded, strong-willed and prepared to fight for what she wants and what she thinks is right.”
source: people.com
