09 January 2024 , 12:37
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When you're Princess of Wales and it is your birthday, you probably have the pick of fancy restaurants, trendy bars and luxury hotels to celebrate at.
But for Kate, who turns 42 today, her celebrations appear to be much more low-key, even though she is said to love an excuse for a party. According to a royal expert, her special day will be spent surrounded by her family - with no fancy presents in sight. Kate, who was born in 1982, grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and went to the private boarding school Marlborough College. She met Prince William in 2001 while studying art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
Kate along with husband Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (Getty Images)And it could be that she heads back to her childhood village to mark turning 42, according to editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward. She told the Mirror: "Family life has always been central for the Princess of Wales and she loves an excuse to celebrate. Her 42nd birthday - her second as Princess of Wales - is a good reason to do so, but no details will be released. Traditionally the royals only celebrate milestone birthdays with the public so we might have to wait until Catherine is 45.
"Catherine's mum Carole frequently joins the princess in school day afternoons to watch George, Charlotte and Louis playing football, so she may scoop them all up for an after-school party at the Middleton family home, Bucklebury Manor. The seven-bedroom Georgian house is perfect for parties and all the Middleton siblings live nearby - James and his wife Alizee and their new baby and also sister, Pippa and her children with husband, James Matthews.
Kate is close to her sister Pippa and mum Carole (Alamy Stock Photo)"Catherine loves home crafted gifts and will not be expecting anything extravagant. But the Prince of Wales will produce something special such as an image from one of the iconic photographers admired by his wife, which are highly collectable."
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Meanwhile, birthdays are often a time to reflect on both the past and the future. And it seems like a fresh start might not be able to come quick enough for the princess, who had more than her fair share of difficulties in the time since she marked her last birthday one year ago.
She's had to contend with bombshell revelations in Prince Harry's explosive book, Spare, the collapse of her mother's business Party Pieces and at the end of last year, was dragged into a race row.
But according to Ingrid, Kate has much to be happy with. She explained: "Her charitable projects will always be her main focus, but she is now a skilled diplomat as well. Catherine can look back over the past year with satisfaction. She has conquered any fears about being the focus of attention and is able to enjoy playing the piano to camera or delivering TV addresses with as much confidence as her husband.
"Whether its greeting Heads of State or royalty such as Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Swede, Catherine does it as effortlessly as William, who was born to the role. They will be amongst the first to be invited to visit the new King and Queen of Denmark after the abdication of Queen Margrethe. At the age of 42, the Princess shows all the signs of being a perfect Queen Consort."
Ingrid Seward is editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and a royal biographer.