Prince William has made a rare public declaration of his love for Kate Middleton on her 43rd birthday.

Prince William Praised Kate Middleton’s “Strength” in a Personal Birthday Tribute

Prince William is celebrating Kate Middleton on her 43rd birthday. In a break with palace tradition, the Prince of Wales wrote a personal, heartfelt message in honor of his wife’s special day alongside a new photo of the princess on Instagram

To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable,” he wrote alongside a black-and-white snapshot of Middleton, which was taken by Matt Porteous at Windsor over the summer, before she announced that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment. William continued his note, “George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”

In the image, Kate looked relaxed with her hands in the pockets of her jeans while wearing a white shirt collared shirt underneath a black jacket with a gingham scarf. She accessorized with her sapphire engagement ring and a bouncy blowout.

While it’s not common for William and Kate to post personal messages to each other on social media, this year was certainly an exception considering the difficulties the Princess of Wales endured in 2024. Next week will mark a year since she was in the hospital for major abdominal surgery, where the doctors found cancer. In March, she revealed that she was undergoing treatment, and six months later, she shared that she completed chemotherapy.