Princess Catherine Celebrates 42nd Birthday with Royal Family

The Princess of Wales, Catherine, turns 42 today and is expected to celebrate the milestone privately with her husband, Prince William, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

While it is customary for William to gift his wife jewelry on her birthday, King Charles publicly wished Princess Catherine a happy 42nd birthday with a heartfelt message.

To mark the occasion, King Charles shared a never-before-seen snapshot of the Princess of Wales, capturing a candid moment.

In the photo, Catherine can be seen behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace during the King's recent visit last May.

She is adorned in a radiant royal blue Victorian order mantle, edged in scarlet, and wearing a silver bullion top with a delightful floral headpiece.

The official Royal Family Instagram account shared the photo, writing, “Wishing the Princess of Wales a very happy birthday today.”

The picture shows the Princess beaming with joy as she engages in a conversation with her father-in-law, while the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh laugh in the corner.

It offers a rare glimpse into the warmth and camaraderie within the Royal Family.

To mark the occasion, bells will ring at Westminster Abbey at 1 pm, and other members of the royal family are also expected to send their well wishes.

Within just half an hour of the image being shared on the official Royal Family Instagram account, it garnered over 40,000 views.

Royal fans took to social media to express their own birthday wishes to the Princess, with many delighted to see the throwback picture.

One fan commented, “What a beautiful picture!

Best wishes to the Princess of Wales for a lovely birthday today and every other day.

You are truly beautiful inside and out.

We all love you, Catherine.”

Over the years, Princess Catherine has developed a sweet bond with King Charles.

They share similar interests in art and environmental issues.

Just six months after her royal wedding, Charles asked Catherine to host a private charity dinner at Clarence House on his behalf.

The pair have appeared to have a warm rapport, with the King referring to Catherine as his beloved daughter-in-law during his state visit to Kenya last November.

While Prince William has taken on additional responsibilities as the new Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, the demands have also been noticeable for his wife.

There is speculation within royal circles that King Charles may promote his daughter-in-law to mark this milestone.

Many believe that Catherine might be appointed as a Royal Lady of the Order of the Garter.

Currently, she observes the annual Garter Day processions, where the King and his knights and ladies walk from Windsor Castle to St George's Chapel in their grand velvet robes and ostrich plume caps.

However, after more than ten years of exceptional royal service, it is believed that she deserves a place among their ranks in her own right.

There are also rumors that both the Princess and her husband might be given the power to issue their own royal warrants for the first time.

The appointment, personally chosen by the monarch for service to the Crown or national life, would solidify Catherine's seniority and place her alongside Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal, Princess Alexandra, and other royal knights.

This includes her husband Prince William, Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, and the Duke of Kent and Gloucester.

While it is likely that the King will issue some royal warrants of his own, allowing Camilla to do so for the first time, the prospect of Princess of Wales warrants would be welcomed by many.

Existing holders believe that the value to British businesses of having the Princess officially endorse them would be immeasurable.

“It would be a huge boost to British industry,” said one holder.