King Charles and Queen Camilla Send Heartfelt Birthday Wishes to Kate Middleton.

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, celebrated her 43rd birthday with warm wishes from King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were among the first to send their greetings. The royal couple shared a beautiful photo of Kate in green from the traditional Christmas Day church service at St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham. This special moment was posted on the official royal family’s Instagram Stories, accompanied by the caption, "Happy Birthday to The Princess of Wales."

Kate Middleton

On January 9, 2024, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, celebrated her 43rd birthday, and King Charles and Queen Camilla were among the first to send their warm wishes. The royal couple shared a touching photo of Kate from their traditional Christmas Day church visit at Sandringham, marking a special moment in the royal family's cherished holiday traditions.

The British royal family has long cherished their time together at Sandringham during Christmas, a private occasion in Norfolk that is filled with family traditions. This year, the royal family’s celebrations held extra significance, particularly following the health challenges faced by both the King and Kate. Fans were delighted to see this beloved tradition continue, especially as both the King and the Princess of Wales had endured a challenging year regarding their health.

In 2024, Buckingham Palace provided an update on King Charles’ health, confirming that while details about his medical treatment were kept private, it would extend into the following year. As for Princess Kate, she revealed in September 2024 that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, a significant milestone in her health journey. While the palace refrained from disclosing the specifics of their medical conditions, insiders mentioned that both were continuing with their treatments in a positive direction.

Despite the personal battles both the King and Princess Kate faced, the public was thrilled to see them participating in the royal Christmas celebrations. The Princess of Wales appeared to be in high spirits during the traditional walk to St. Mary Magdalene on Christmas Day. Walking alongside her husband, Prince William, and their children, Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (9), and Prince Louis (6), Kate engaged with well-wishers, sharing smiles and warmth. This public outing marked her first since her health break earlier in 2024, and it was evident that she had thoroughly enjoyed her return to royal duties.

At one point, she humorously joked, “I seem to have lost my family!” as Prince William and the children had already walked ahead of her during the procession. Her lighthearted comment demonstrated her playful side, even during such a formal and public event.

Photo: @princeandprincessofwales Instagram

Princess Kate also had heartfelt conversations with some special guests that day. She spoke to 73-year-old Karen Maclean, a woman who has been battling cancer for over two decades. In addition, she met with two sisters who were honoring their grandmother, a passionate royal fan who had passed away from cancer earlier in 2024. She also had an emotional meeting with Louis Beauchamp, a teacher from Paris who had made the journey specifically to meet the Princess. Beauchamp had first met Kate in May 2023 during a pub visit with Prince William before King Charles’ coronation. The teacher was deeply moved by Kate's support for Early Years education and presented her with a Moroccan scarf, along with a heartfelt letter.

Upon receiving the thoughtful gift, Kate expressed her gratitude, thanking Beauchamp for his kindness. "She thanked me very much and said it was wonderful and so kind of me to have come again. She was as genuine and close to people as I remembered. She seemed so happy to be with us again. You could tell she was truly touched," Beauchamp later shared.

Kate Middleton (@princeandprincessofwales Instagram)

After the holiday celebrations, Princess Kate’s schedule remained uncertain, though she has been careful about her public appearances. In September, she mentioned that while she was focused on staying cancer-free, she would participate in a few more engagements when she felt ready. True to her word, she took part in the Remembrance events in November 2024, hosted her fourth annual “Together at Christmas” carol service in December, and made a public appearance at Christmas at Sandringham.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith commented, “You can’t say she is back … but she is coming back. She is doing it in her own way and at her own pace, and carefully.” This sentiment reflects how Princess Kate has been gradually resuming her royal duties, prioritizing her health while continuing her deep commitment to public service.

The British royal family’s tradition of spending Christmas at Sandringham House dates back to 1862 when Queen Victoria purchased the Norfolk estate for her eldest son, Prince Albert. Sandringham quickly became a beloved family retreat, with Prince Albert introducing the German tradition of the Christmas tree, which became a cornerstone of British Christmas celebrations. Queen Victoria cherished the time spent there, and it was during her reign that the royal Christmas gatherings began to take shape.

Photo: (@princeandprincessofwales Instagram)

Following Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, her son, King Edward VII, continued the tradition, hosting family at Sandringham. It was during his reign that the royal family began the custom of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve, a practice that remains to this day. The tradition was carried on by King George V and King George VI, with the royals often attending a church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church and enjoying a festive family time.

Queen Elizabeth II, from her accession in 1952, spent nearly every Christmas at Sandringham, hosting the royal family and other guests. The Christmas Day church service and her annual televised speech became staples of royal Christmas celebrations. However, in recent years, the royal gatherings have become more intimate due to the passing of key family members. In 2020, due to the pandemic, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip spent Christmas at Windsor Castle instead, breaking the long-standing Sandringham tradition.

Sandringham remains a significant part of the royal family's history and Christmas celebrations.

Kate Middleton and Prince William Will Join King Charles and Royal Family at Sandringham for Emotional Christmas Celebration