As the Princess of Wales turns 43 today, she leaves behind a brutal year that saw her face a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment while raising three young children, and as she dips her toes back into royal life, one expert reveals Kate’s two ‘non-negotiables’Hit by a shocking cancer diagnosis after abdominal surgery in January last year, the news kicked off an incredibly challenging 12 months for Kate and her family, which her husband Prince William branded ‘brutal’. Adding to their heartache, King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer, leaving brave William to step up and support his beloved wife and father. But it was Kate – who despite enduring six months of preventative chemotherapy – proved yet again what a vital member of the Royal Family she is.The Princess of Wales turns 43 today ( Image: Samir Hussein/Wirelmage/Getty) From the much-needed privacy of her home on the Windsor estate, Kate guided Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis through the confusion of family illness, keeping life as normal as possible for her young brood. Today, she will celebrate her 43rd birthday as she always does – by putting her family first. But former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes she still be line for a surprise or two for husband William and her other royal relatives.
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She added: “I imagine that one consolation for the brutal year they’ve had is that they’ve had so much more time for family life. It’s probably going to be quite a sacrifice to re-balance things and resume full time royal work. “There’s definitely more pressure on William to step up his workload – especially as the King continues his cancer treatment. And we shall clearly be seeing more of him at numerous events. But I think he will endeavour to keep trips away from home as short as possible. The days of lengthy royal tours abroad may now be over.” The last time Kate was out in public was on Christmas Day when she joined the Royal Family for their annual Christmas Day walk to church. There she was the star attraction with well-wishers all vying to talk to her, handing her countless bouquets of flowers and other gifts.Kate recieved a rapturous reception at Wimbledon last year ( Image: PA) But despite her triumphant retum, it is believed her resumption of royal work will be slow and steady, with her children and her health her priority. But Jennie says there is no doubt that Kate is absolutely central to the future of the monarchy. She explained: “She and William are way ahead in the popularity stakes, according to polis, and as we saw on Christmas Day at Sandringham, Catherine is the one who draws the biggest crowds. Everyone wants to see her, to talk to her, to photograph her. “I think there’s an interesting parallel between the way Charles once put his own future on the line by declaring that his relationship with Camilla was ‘non-negotiable, and the way Catherine has made it clear that, for the immediate future at least, her undisputed priorities are her family and her health. “She has shown that she is very much in charge of her own agenda and that’s to be admired. The monarchy has often depended on strong women. like the late Queen and Princess Anne. Catherine takes her rightful place amongst those strong women, and I think both Charles and William believe she has all it takes to be Queen when the time comes.” In September, Kate issued a deeply personal video update on her health, saying she had finished her chemotherapy but her “path to healing and full recovery is long”, she was taking each day as it came, and was hoping to return to a light programme of public duties.
