In a departure from royal custom, Princess Catherine is celebrating her 43rd birthday with a brand-new portrait. Three years ago, Queen Elizabeth II gave the Princess of Wales a very special birthday present that came with a number of significant and serious rules.

Catherine received a priceless final birthday present from Queen Elizabeth, who passed away on September 8, 2022. The late Queen reportedly made the occasion memorable when Princess Catherine celebrated her 40th birthday at the start of 2022. A purported source told the Express that “Her Majesty was extremely generous on Kate’s birthday [in 2022], and gifted her with some jewels from her private collection, which we’ll no doubt see her wearing at special occasions in the near future.”

As for why the Queen’s gift was so impressive, the outlet’s source claimed, “But there was one very special diamond set that brought tears to Kate’s eyes—the Coronation Necklace and Earrings.”

New Idea’s source also suggested that the Queen spoke to Princess Catherine privately about the gift, requesting that she would wear the jewelry when Prince William becomes King. “It is very dear to the Queen, who wore it at her own coronation, as did her mom, the Queen Mother, and her grandmother, Queen Mary, when their husbands became King.” the source said. “The Queen told Kate it’s only right that she is the next Queen to wear them.”

Prince William posted a private message on Instagram on January 9, 2025, Princess Catherine’s 43rd birthday. The Prince of Wales wrote: “To the most incredible wife and mother,” the Prince of Wales wrote. “The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”

The year 2024 was especially difficult for the Royal Family because the Princess of Wales and King Charles were both diagnosed with cancer. Robert Hardman, a royal biographer and expert, looked ahead in an interview with Marie Claire, stating: “I would say 2025, I’m sure everyone just hopes that it will be a year of resetting, or it’ll be the year of reset. It’ll be the year of going back to the way we were at the end of 2023 of regular, or semi-regular duties.”