Prince William proclaims his love for the Princess of Wales with a heartfelt tribute

The Prince of Wales had beautiful words for his wife on her birthday. Prince William celebrated the Princess of Wales turning 43 on Thursday, Jan. 9, with a personal message on social media. 

"To the most incredible wife and mother," His Royal Highness began. "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," the Prince added, signing the message off with his initial, "W."

William's touching tribute was accompanied by a new photo of the Princess of Wales dressed in jeans, a blouse, blazer and checked scarf. The black-and-white photo of Her Royal Highness smiling with her hands in her pockets was taken by Matt Porteous last summer in Windsor.

As summer 2024 came to an end, the Princess announced that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, which she began months earlier in February. On Sept. 9, Catherine shared, "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you."

"With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything. This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved," she continued.

At the time, Catherine said doing what she "can to stay cancer free" was now her focus. "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can," the Princess said. "Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling."

The Prince of Wales has previously described 2024 as "brutal." While in South Africa for the Earthshot Prize Awards, William confessed, "It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult."

"I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done," William added, but noted that "from a personal family point of view, it's been brutal."

The Princess spoke about her "unplanned" year at her 2024 "Together at Christmas" carol service, telling performer Paloma Faith (via Channel 5 News): "I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had."

"The unplanned," Paloma said, to which Catherine replied, "The unplanned, exactly. But I think lots of people this year  had such challenging times, and many who are here today."

The Daily Mail's Rebecca English reported earlier this month that insiders have said "the Princess simply won't be going back to work in the same way." One royal source told Rebecca, "What we will actually see is a slow continuation of the Princess balancing her recovery and her public-facing duties, as she outlined back in September."

"Cancer impacts on your perspective, and what you have seen in the decisions they have made over the last year is that family and their children continue to be at the centre of their universe. Both Their Royal Highnesses have a strong commitment to duty, service and using their platform for good," the source also said. "But what they are working on is ways they can balance themselves as parents with being the Prince and Princess of Wales."