Kate's quiet birthday: A royal tradition of special gifts
Prince William's wife turns 43 on 9 January. Few people know that her birthday is associated with a tradition concerning gifts already a quarter of a century old. The next person likely to follow this tradition is Princess Charlotte.
Kate was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, Berkshire. She was the first of three children of Carole and Michael Middleton. Her parents started a tradition of giving her "very special" gifts on her 18th birthday. Over time, Prince William adopted this tradition. Their daughter, Princess Charlotte, will most likely inherit this unique custom.
Duchess Kate turns 43: Quiet celebration
The past year was full of challenges for Kate. She faced a cancer diagnosis and the entire treatment process. Therefore, she plans a quiet birthday celebration with her closest family.
According to standard.co.uk, the Princess of Wales will celebrate this occasion at home in Windsor with her husband, Prince William, and their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Undoubtedly, on her birthday, Duchess Kate will also receive presents. The tradition of "special gifts" originated in her family home.
The Duchess's brother, James Middleton, mentioned the nature of these gifts in his book Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life. As he revealed, they were initiated in the Middleton family in 2000.
Throughout my teens, my two obsessions, with dogs and all things mechanical, flourish. Weeks before I am due to turn 18, in the spring of 2005, my father asks what I'd like for my birthday. He gives me a choice: a little second-hand Peugeot 206 or a dilapidated and ancient tractor. A tractor? Yes, he knows in his heart that I'll choose the quirky option - and I do. Dad and I load it onto the trailer. As we drive back to Berkshire, passing through lanes glowing with wildflowers, I can't help but reflect on how thrilled I am with my gift - wrote the Duchess's younger brother, James Middleton, in his book.
Indeed, since her 18th birthday, Duchess Kate has been receiving valuable jewellery for her birthday.
Intergenerational birthday tradition: Prince William benefited
According to British media, Prince William somewhat "adopted" the Middleton family tradition and began giving his wife jewellery, especially since he hasn't always been good at giving gifts. He admitted this in Peter Crouch's podcast in 2020.
I did get my wife a pair of binoculars once — she’s never let me forget that. That was early on in the courtship, that was — I think that sealed the deal. It didn’t go well. Honestly, I have no idea why I bought her a pair of binoculars. It seemed like a good idea at the time - he confessed.
British media speculated that Princess Charlotte will inherit the family tradition of giving jewellery when she turns 18 on 2 May 2033. Duchess Kate may give her a piece of jewellery she herself received from her parents on her 18th birthday.
