Kate Middleton on her 40th birthday.Photo: Paolo Roversi
Kate Middletonis celebrating her big birthday in stunning style.
The Duchess of Cambridge turns 40 on January 9, and to commemorate her milestone birthday, Kensington Palace released three special new portraits of the royal on Saturday.
Kate Middleton on her 40th birthday.Paolo Roversi
The portraits will enter the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, of which Kate is Patron. Ahead of the Portrait Gallery’s re-opening in 2023, the photographs will be part of its Coming Home project, a nationwide initiative that sees portraits of well-known individuals being sent to locations that they are closely associated with.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s new photos will be displayed over the course of 2022 in three places that hold special meaning to Kate: Berkshire, St. Andrews and Anglesey.
Kate grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and often returns to spend time with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who still live in the quiet village.
St. Andrews is an important spot for both Kate andPrince Williamas they met as freshmen at the University of St. Andrews in 2002.
The Cambridge family’s 2021 Christmas card.Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Instagram
Kate is usually the one behind the camera, snapping photos of her andPrince William’s three children,Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis. The royal couple recently shared anew photo of the familyon their annual Christmas card.
The Duchess of Cambridge is “flourishing,” aroyal insider told PEOPLE ahead of Kate’s 40th birthday. “She has really come into her own.”
Kate is preparing more than ever for her role as future queen consort alongside William, taking on more royal duties asQueen Elizabethhas canceled engagements due to recent health issues as well asPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s decision to step back as senior working royals.
Most recently,Kate hosted her first-ever Christmas carol concert(anddebuted her piano skills!) at Westminster Abbey in tribute to the incredible work of individuals and organizations across the U.K. who have supported their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kate Middleton.Alex Bramall
Kate has also entered into a new family dynamic. With 3-year-old sonPrince Louisoff to nursery school, all three of the couple’s children are out of the toddler years. Still, Kate is heavily involved in the lives ofPrince George, 8,Princess Charlotte, 6, andPrince Louisdespite the helpful hand of nanny Maria Turrion Borrallo.
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Kate “runs things at home with the kids and the schedules,” says a friend. “She is hugely involved in every single part of their day.”
She is “more and more impressive as time goes on,” says a source close to the royal household. “She is a focused and professional woman.”
source: people.com
