Instead of the formal and cold birthday greetings that the palace usually posts on social media for royal birthdays, Prince William has wholeheartedly gone out of his way for his wife.
Literally, you can imagine what goes on behind the scenes when another royal birthday greeting is about to be sent out into the world via Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). A reminder pops up in the communications office at Kensington Palace, after which an employee adjusts the royal’s name in the standard text and adds the most up-to-date archive photo available. Throw in a smiley face for a touch of modernity, schedule the post, and it’s done. A post like this could have simply marked the occasion of Princess Kate (43).
“Wishing the Princess of Wales a very happy birthday” could just as easily have been the case for Prince William (42) on his wife Catherine’s 43rd birthday (January 9). But something seemed to resist within him, and he let his heart take the lead, ensuring that a heartfelt and personal text of his own was posted instead of the monotonous greetings.
“To the most amazing wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown this past year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis, and I are so proud of you. Happy birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.” Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor of The Sun, acknowledged that this was a break from tradition, but his review was surprisingly positive.
He wrote, “Wills breaks tradition by publicly declaring his love for Kate, breaking the rigid mold of royal family protocols.” He added that this personal message was a refreshing change from the standard birthday greetings issued by palace staff and struck a chord with many Britons.
Prince William is not only seen as the public and modern face of the monarchy in the 21st century but is now also calm and confident in letting the world know how he truly feels about Kate. Previously, he admitted that 2024 has been one of the hardest years of his life—a further sign that William is willing to share his emotions with the world.
This openness also boosts his credibility as a future regent. It aligns with the notion that heirs to the throne can no longer avoid being more relatable, occasionally surprising people with small public displays of affection. There’s often a shared smile, a nod, a gentle hand around the waist, or even a hand-holding moment. This openness is the direction the couple has been moving toward for years.
