When it comes to birthday parties, you’d figure the Royal Family would have them nailed. It’s not like they’re going to struggle to get mates out to celebrate – even in deepest, darkest January, it seems the Duchess of Cambridge has no problem gathering together a gaggle of her closest friends to help her blow out her candles.
Ahead of turning 38 tomorrow, Kate held her birthday celebrations a little early according to US news outlet People, hosting some of the couple’s best pals at their country home in Norfolk, Anmer Hall, over the weekend.
On Sunday, the partygoers joined the Queen at St. Mary Magdalene church on her Sandringham estate for morning service, where Kate was photographed wearing a chic wool coat and fedora hat. Among the guests were Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, William’s lifelong friend (and godfather to Princess Charlotte) Thomas van Straubenzee and his fiancée Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe (who also happens to be a teacher at Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s school), James Meade and his wife Lady Laura (godmother to Prince Louis) and David and Rose, Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, who live at nearby Houghton Hall and have been friends with the royals for over a decade.
This Norfolk January weekend has become a bit of tradition for the couple over recent years, with activities thought to include shooting and a dinner with the Queen at Sandringham House. The Duke and Duchess also hosted friends this time last year to ring in her 37th birthday.
Last year it was reported that she held not one but two celebrations, hosting a low-key tea party at Kensington Palace on the day of her actual birthday, attended by her husband and children. Now back in London for the beginning of the school term, it’s likely she’ll celebrate the same way this year. Well, if anyone deserves two birthday parties, it’s Kate.
