Prince William is celebrating Kate Middleton on her 43rd birthday. In a break with palace tradition, the Prince of Wales wrote a personal, heartfelt message in honor of his wife’s special day alongside a new photo of the princess on Instagram.
“To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable,” he wrote alongside a black-and-white snapshot of Middleton, which was taken by Matt Porteous at Windsor over the summer, before she announced that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment. William continued his note, “George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”
In the image, Kate looked relaxed with her hands in the pockets of her jeans while wearing a white shirt collared shirt underneath a black jacket with a gingham scarf. She accessorized with her sapphire engagement ring and a bouncy blowout.
While it’s not common for William and Kate to post personal messages to each other on social media, this year was certainly an exception considering the difficulties the Princess of Wales endured in 2024. Next week will mark a year since she was in the hospital for major abdominal surgery, where the doctors found cancer. In March, she revealed that she was undergoing treatment, and six months later, she shared that she completed chemotherapy.
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Princess Kate is expected to spend her birthday at home at Adelaide Cottage with William and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—however, that’s reportedly not stopping the Wales family from going all out.
“For her husband and children, this will be an excuse to spoil her rotten and, even though it falls on a school day, I’m sure that’s exactly what they’ll do,” royal expert Jennie Bond told OK! earlier this week. “I imagine they will shower her with gifts—perhaps some pampering products like luxurious bath oils and scented candles. Maybe William will buy her some silk pyjamas or cashmere jumpers—things that are soft on skin [after] treatment.”
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She added, “This birthday is going to be memorable in so many ways—it will mark the start of a new and hopefully happier year and the end of one that has been brutal for the whole family.”
