Arya News - Kate, the Princess of Wales, turns 43 on Thursday, capping what was a tumultuous year for the mother of three and wife of Prince William. Kate, who was born Jan. 9, 1982, is expected to spend her birthday privately with William and their kids -- Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte -- at home in Windsor, England. On her birthday last year, Kate was one week away from being admitted to a London hospital, where she would undergo what Kensington Palace described at the time as
Kate, the Princess of Wales , turns 43 on Thursday, capping what was a tumultuous year for the mother of three and wife of Prince William .
Kate, who was born Jan. 9, 1982, is expected to spend her birthday privately with William and their kids -- Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte -- at home in Windsor, England.
On her birthday last year, Kate was one week away from being admitted to a London hospital, where she would undergo what Kensington Palace described at the time as "planned abdominal surgery."
PHOTO: Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church, Dec. 25, 2024, in Sandringham, England. (Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)
Kate spent nearly two weeks hospitalized before being discharged in late January.
After her hospitalization, Kate took extended time off from her public royal duties, leading to a frenzy of speculation online about her well-being and whereabouts.
Amid the speculation about her health, Kate issued a public apology over a photo of herself with her kids that was shared on social media for Mother"s Day and later revealed to be edited . In her apology, Kate apologized for any "confusion" those alterations caused.
Less than two weeks later, on March 22, Kate revealed in a video message that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful," Kate said in the video message. "However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."
Kate Middleton, Prince William and kids walk to church on Christmas
Kate has not shared the type of cancer she was diagnosed with nor the details of her treatment.
She remained out of the public spotlight for several more weeks following her announcement, before joining the royal family in May at Trooping the Colour.
PHOTO: Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales on the balcony during Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace, June 15, 2024, in London. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
In September, Kate announced that she had finished chemotherapy and was focused on staying "cancer free" and gradually returning to work.
In the following months, Kate made several public appearances, including traveling to Southport, England, with William and hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Prince William and Kate"s 3 kids: What to know about George, Charlotte and Louis
Kate"s last public appearance before her birthday was on Christmas morning.
PHOTO: Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church, Dec. 25, 2024, in Sandringham, England. (Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images)
She joined William, as well as Charlotte, George, Louis and other royal family members, as they walked to church at Sandringham on Christmas morning, following royal tradition.
Kate Middleton celebrates 43rd birthday after cancer diagnosis originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com