Prince William has shared an emotional message wishing wife Kate a happy birthday along with a beautiful new photo of her.
With the Princess of Wales turning 43 today, William took to his official social media account to post a message that 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". It was accompanied by a new, unseen picture of Kate taken by Matt Porteous, in Windsor, last summer.
William's touching message for his wife comes after the official Royal Family social media accounts also shared a beautiful snap of the princess beaming at Sandringham on Christmas Day as she collected countless bouquets of flowers from wellwishers. The heartwarming picture was accompanied with a message saying: "Happy Birthday to The Princess of Wales!" along with a birthday cake emoji.
Kate is known to be extremely close to her father-in-law the King with both having to process the shock news of cancer diagnoses last year. His sweet message comes as Kate will be marking the occasion at home in Windsor, with her family. Next week marks a year since she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16, just seven days after her 42nd birthday.
She spent nearly two weeks in the London Clinic after undergoing the major operation, and was recuperating at home when she was told she had cancer and had to begin chemotherapy. The royal family is hoping for a better 2025 after what William described as a 'brutal' and probably "the hardest year" of his life, with his father, the King, also diagnosed with the disease.
The princess's birthday today falls on the same day as the state funeral of former US president Jimmy Carter. But it will be William’s uncle, the Duke of Edinburgh, who will travel to Washington DC and represent Charles, rather than the heir to the throne as has often been the custom for the funeral of American leaders.
The princess, a future queen, is expected to continue her gradual return to public duties with more appearances this year. William and Kate look set to carry out an overseas visit together, with the prince hinting as much. "I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up," he said during his tour to Cape Town last autumn.
The princess rounded off December by joining her family at church in Sandringham on Christmas Day, having hosted her festive carol concert at Westminster Abbey earlier in the month. She brought Christmas cheer with her annual carol concert, where she gathered with William and their children, other royals, and celebrities such as Paloma Faith and Richard E Grant.
This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.
English (US) ·