Happy Birthday to the Princess of Wales – from Waity Katie to mainstay of the modern monarchy… and our next Queen
As she prepares to celebrate her 42nd birthday, Catherine, Princess of Wales, could well take some time to reflect on how much life has changed in the past twelve months.
It had already been an extraordinary journey for Catherine Middleton, from an ordinary – albeit wealthy – background to a royal life.
But the death of Queen Elizabeth II means she will be asked to take another big step forward: from supporting cast to leading role.
The 42-year-old Princess of Wales is pictured leaving Nottingham Trent University in October
Kate Middleton during King Charles and Queen Camilla’s historic coronation service at Westminster Abbey in May
Catherine joined a group in September as part of her Shaping Us early childhood campaign in Sittingbourne
Catherine tries her hand at archery with the 3rd Upton Scouts in Slough as she takes part in the Big Help Out after the coronation. Prince William and Prince George look on
Today, as Princess of Wales, Catherine is one of four key figures holding the British monarchy together, ably supported by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Taking on even more responsibility given the demands of a young family may not be easy, but the transition to the role of maid of honor has been smooth, if not seamless.
One aspect of this is her growing confidence in solo assignments.
It’s clear that William and Kate enjoy working together and the two have become a polished double act.
However, Kate is now developing her own public identity.
While in the past we might have seen her hang back a bit and adapt where it seemed appropriate, these days Kate feels comfortable leading the conversation or playing hostess at big events.
This includes, for example, the Together At Christmas carol concerts in Westminster Abbey. Last year, the princess led the royal family in paying tribute to the late queen.
But Kate also takes the lead in many other, more quiet assignments, such as visiting a ‘baby bank’, accompanied by her children.
There had already been a long courtship, in 2010 Kate and William announced that they were engaged.
But no matter how privileged the position seemed to most of us, life on the margins as a royal girlfriend was never going to be preparation for the job itself.
Indeed, there was a time when she was criticized for her patience and mocked as ‘waity katie’, and there was good reason to believe that her relationship with William would end in nothing but tears.
So it was understandable that Catherine had to take some time to fulfill her own royal role – especially since there was the turbulence of ‘Megxit’ and Harry’s departure for America.
Earlier this year, the Princess of Wales spoke about the struggle to become royal during a visit to a youth charity.
Away from the cameras, the princess answered questions from students at St Katherine’s School in Bristol about her life, telling them she had never thought about becoming a royal until she fell in love with William.
The Princess of Wales visited Fitzalan High School in Cardiff earlier this month
The mother-of-three blows up an emergency life preserver issued to Royal Navy aircrew during her visit to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in September
Despite the mask, Catherine chats with Philippa Matthews, James Middleton and Carole and Michael Middleton as they attend the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service in December 2021.
Prince William and Kate with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in December 2022
The Princess of Wales takes part in a visit to Maidenhead Rugby Club, Berkshire in June
Catherine pictured with Roger and Mirka Federer on the second day of the Wimbledon tennis championships in July
Prince William and Catherine greet everyone from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day on April 29, 2011
Kate and William pictured on their graduation day
Dame Kelly Holmes, who was at the event, said: “She said she had to learn. It’s a struggle to know that you can be accepted and belong and still learn every day.
‘Speaking in public is not something that many people take for granted, is it? And she said she’s still working on that, but she has to project. So you remember, she humanized everything. Not everyone is perfect.’
Ultimately, it’s clear that her efforts have paid off and the best is yet to come for Kate now that she’s in her 40s.