Happy birthday Catherine: as the Princess of Wales turns 43, how Kate Middleton found true confidence in her royal role after a year of strife….See More

The Princess of Wales will celebrate turning 43 years old on January 9. While this may not be a landmark birthday commemorated with huge fanfare, it will likely be a poignant occasion for Kate Middleton: a chance, perhaps, to reflect on one of the most testing years of her life, and to also look forward to a royal future over which she has greater agency than ever before

Last year was, in no uncertain terms, full of hardship for the royal family. King Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, and his treatment is still ongoing. Relations between The Firm and Prince Harry became increasingly strained, with a series of messy stories hitting the headlines: the Prince contesting in court the decision to decrease his police protection; his wife, Meghan, coming up against yet more accusations of staff bullying; and the couple’s dwindling popularity, both here and across the pond. Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, passed away in February at his parents’ home. And Prince Andrew continued to hit the headlines, battling against his brother to remain in Royal Lodge and becoming embroiled in a scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy.

It was the Princess of Wales, however, who left the nation reeling when, in March 2024, she announced her cancer diagnosis to the world. She withdrew from public life to undergo chemotherapy, and would later admit that she faced an ‘incredibly tough’ nine months. As Spring turned to Summer, Kate gradually began to regain her strength, and a photograph of her – taken by Matt Porteous in the gardens of Windsor – was posted to social media, along with a thoughtful caption. ‘I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,’ she wrote. ‘I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.’

In September, Kate released a landmark, hugely personal video to announce that she had completed her course of chemotherapy. In a statement, she said that it was a ‘relief’ to have come to the end of her treatment, and that staying ‘cancer free’ was 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.’

Since then, Kate Middleton has lived by her own advice, making some appearances and returning to work in a gradual capacity – but it is a schedule that is, according to royal insiders, on her own terms for the first time. ‘Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing,’ a source close to the royals told People magazine. ‘You can’t go through something like that and come out the other side unchanged. She is a different person now.’