If the royal family was hoping for a quieter year where the media is concerned, it looks like they'll have to try again in 2021. People were thrilled to see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle return from their six-week hiatus. Some of that excitement faded after the couple announced their plans for the future.
The Sussexes plan to step away from their roles as senior members of the royal family, while still fulfilling obligations to patronages and other organizations. Their plan for a hybrid royal-civilian life is raising some eyebrows, especially when it was announced that other members of the royal family were blindsided by the announcement.
Today is a new day, however, and one with a new focus. The royal family is going all-in on celebrating Kate Middleton on her 38th birthday. Kate began her birthday celebrations over the weekend, hosting friends at the couple's Anmer Hall home before attending church service with Queen Elizabeth at Sandringham's Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
January 9 is a very special day for the royal family. The royals are celebrating Kate Middleton's birthday. The Duchess of Cambridge and future queen consort is 38 years old and looks absolutely stunning.
Like so many other families, the royal family has taken to commemorating birthdays with posts on social media. The Royal Family Instagram account shared a well-wish for Kate on her special day, along with several photos of her. "Wishing The Duchess of Cambridge a very Happy Birthday!" the caption reads.
Clarence House, which provides updates on Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles, also shared a birthday wish for Kate. "Wishing The Duchess of Cambridge a very Happy Birthday ," they wrote. They also shared a number of photos of Kate.
On the Kensington Royal accounts, which document Prince William, Kate, and their children, a never-before-seen photo of Kate was shared. "Thank you, everyone, for all your lovely messages on The Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday!" they remarked. In the photo, a casually dressed Kate sits happily on a fence.
Noticeably absent from the Kate lovefest is Harry and Meghan's sussexroyal account. Although they haven't posted their own tribute to Kate, they did comment on the Kensington Royal post. "Wishing a very happy birthday to The Duchess of Cambridge today! ❤️," they wrote.
It's a pretty awkward day to celebrate a birthday in the royal family. Yesterday, news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wish to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family rocked the world. The two are looking for a hybrid solution that allows them to continue to work with their patronages while still affording them some more freedoms and the ability to live in both the UK and North America.
While the announcement wasn't altogether surprising for those who have followed the tumultuous year the Sussexes have had, it is an unprecedented move. The subsequent statement from Buckingham Palace has made it clear that no one knows exactly what this would look like in practice. However, Harry and Meghan's dedication to continue to serve the Queen and the monarchy while changing what their day-to-day looks like indicates they aren't trying to burn any bridges.
Everyone's still trying to process what Harry and Meghan's announcement will mean. It isn't the first shocking move from a royal this year, however. Many were surprised to see a certain controversial face among the crowd celebrating Kate's birthday in Norfolk this past weekend.
Kate spent the weekend celebrating her birthday at Anmer Hall with her Norfolk friends. William and Kate's circle of friends — known as the "Turnip Toffs" — often get together at the Cambridges' country home, so this wasn't particularly surprising. The surprise came when the group joined Queen Elizabeth for Sunday church services.
There was a crowd outside St. Mary Magdalene, where William and Kate usually attend the first Sunday service of the new year. As William and Kate mingled with royal fans, their friends lingered behind them. Thomas van Straubenzee and fiancée Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe were spotted, as well as James Meade and his wife Laura.
Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, were also there. It was in a photo of them that two faces not expected to be seen with William and Kate were noticed. The Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley were in attendance.
This is the first time that the marchioness, Rose Hanbury, has been spotted with William and Kate. Last year, rumors of an affair between William and Rose began to circulate. The rumors added that it allegedly led to a falling out between Kate and Rose, who were once good friends.
Whatever might have happened between the four in the past seems to be behind them. As for further celebrations, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight that they're unlikely. She notes that Kate is "not one for having big birthday celebrations."
We have a feeling there are three little ones who are excited to celebrate with Kate. It doesn't appear that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis were with the couple in Norfolk this weekend. Surely, they'll have a special birthday surprise awaiting their dear mother.
