Prince William has shared a sweet message to Princess Catherine as the royal celebrates her 43rd birthday.
Known for keeping her birthday celebrations low-key, the beloved royal is set to spend the day surrounded by close family, according to the New York Post.
While Princess Catherine enjoyed the festive season at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, she returned to Adelaide Cottage to celebrate her special day.
Prince William marked the special day with a touching tribute and a new photograph.
In a post shared on X, the future king wrote: “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.”
The message was accompanied by a striking black-and-white photograph of the princess. Dressed in a gingham scarf, Catherine is captured smiling warmly with her hands tucked into the pockets of her jeans.
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 pic.twitter.com/VIW5v2aKlu
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 9, 2025
The royal family’s official social media accounts also celebrated the occasion, sharing a cheerful post that read: “Happy Birthday to The Princess of Wales!”
The message was paired with a photograph of Catherine smiling and accepting bouquets of flowers during the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
The heartfelt messages come after a particularly challenging year for the Princess of Wales. Over the past 12 months, Catherine has faced a series of health challenges, including abdominal surgery, a cancer diagnosis, and chemotherapy treatment.
The princess spent nearly two weeks in the London Clinic following an operation on January 16, 2023. While recovering at home, she was informed of her cancer diagnosis and began chemotherapy shortly thereafter.
In September, after completing her treatment, the Princess shared a candid reflection on her health journey:
“Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my 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.”
Princess Catherine is expected to gradually resume her public duties this year as she continues her recovery.
The princess’s determination and resilience have drawn admiration from many, including her husband, who described 2024 as “brutal” and “probably the hardest year” of his life.
The family has faced additional challenges, with King Charles also undergoing cancer treatment, which is expected to continue into this year.
