The King and Queen marked the Princess of Wales’s 43rd birthday on Thursday with a heartfelt tribute.
Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, shared a stunning photograph of Kate taken on Christmas Day in Sandringham. The Princess looked radiant in an emerald green Alexander McQueen coat paired with a Gina Foster beret-style hat as she greeted well-wishers.
Their message read: “Happy Birthday to the Princess of Wales! 🎂”
Christmas Day was Kate’s most recent public appearance, where she and Prince William joined their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—for the traditional church service alongside the King, Queen, and other royals.
Kate is expected to celebrate her birthday privately at the family’s Windsor home following their holiday break in Norfolk.
Prince William also honored his wife with a heartfelt message and an unseen portrait shared by Kensington Palace.
His tribute read: “To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis, and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”
The black-and-white photograph, taken by Matt Porteous in Windsor last summer, captures Kate in a relaxed pose, wearing a white blouse and blazer with her hands in her jeans’ pockets.
The Wales children—George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six—have returned to Lambrook School in Berkshire for the new term.
The past year has been challenging for the royal family, with Prince William describing it as “brutal” following the cancer diagnoses of both King Charles and Princess Kate. Despite these hardships, Kate announced in September that she had completed chemotherapy through an emotional video message.
Charles and Kate, who have always shared a warm bond, have grown even closer during their respective health journeys. While the King continues his medical care, Kate is gradually resuming her royal duties. In 2024, she made several high-profile appearances, including at Trooping the Colour, Wimbledon, the Qatar state visit, and her annual Christmas concert.
Looking ahead, royal biographer Robert Jobson told HELLO! magazine that Kate is expected to play a more prominent role alongside William: “Last year was exceptional, with William stepping up as a solo global statesman. Going forward, I think Catherine will spend more time at his side. They will remain attentive to their children’s needs but understand that duty to the country sometimes comes first.”
He added, “Once Donald Trump assumes the presidency, there will likely be another state visit, and William and Catherine will play a central role, much like the King did during the previous visit when the late Queen was alive. This aligns with William’s evolution into a global figure.”
