The previous year was a rough one for several members of the royal family. Not only did King Charles announce that he had cancer but his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales (formerly known as Kate Middleton), revealed that she too had cancer and was receiving treatment.

A few months before 2024 concluded, the princess shared an update that she had completed her chemotherapy and is looking forward to the future which includes celebrating something that has been “overshadowed” for years by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Expert recalls how Kate’s special day was ‘overshadowed’ by Meghan Harry in past years

On Jan. 9, 2025, Kate celebrates her 43rd birthday. The past few years her birthday plans were muted as the Sussexes used dates close to that day to make sure their news completely overshadowed her.

Former BBC correspondent and royal expert Jennie Bond believes that while the Princess of Wales’ previous birthdays were “overshadowed” this one is going to be “memorable in so many ways” as it will mark the start of a “new and hopefully happier year.”

Bond told OK!: “I’m sure Catherine’s new perspective on everything will include her own birthday. As a healthy young woman, her forties would normally have held no fear for her. But her past few birthdays have all been rather overshadowed by events — Harry and Meghan announcing they were stepping back from royal duties on 8 January 2020, then Harry releasing his book, Spare, on 10 January 2023 (an excerpt was leaked days earlier and dominated the headlines on the 9th).”

Bond continued: “And this time last year, the princess must have been anxious — and probably in pain — as she geared up for her planned abdominal surgery which took place a few days after her 42nd birthday. That, of course, was followed by the shock of her cancer diagnosis, so this will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate.”

The royal expert added: “This birthday is going to be memorable in so many ways — it will mark the start of a new and hopefully happier year and the end of one that has been brutal for the whole family. While some women might find the prospect of turning 43 a bit daunting, Catherine will, I am sure, be delighted that she is able to enjoy her birthday in comparatively good health, though, of course, she is still recovering. Every day must now be extra precious for the princess and every birthday a cause for grateful celebration.”

Although the princess will likely be eager to celebrate this milestone because of how special it will be for her another royal commentator, Richard Fitzwilliams, opined that Kate and Prince William are “being very careful” with how they mark the day and how they go about making other big plans during the new year.

“[Kate] must take each day as it comes,” Fitzwilliams told GB News. “We have absolutely no idea the way she will celebrate her birthday. There have been meetings we know she’s participated in, but they’ve been very very careful firstly not to give too much notice of this, and secondly not to commit themselves to anything. We know that the Waleses were due to go to Italy, anything like that must be planned months in advance and you can’t when she still has a long way to go.”

He also noted: “Success in chemotherapy and beating cancer is one thing; pulling back completely and being able to tour as she would normally is completely different. It has always been emphasized by William and her that there was a long way to go. Things are being taken step by step.”