Kate Middleton Receives Bittersweet Birthday Gift from the Queen

The Queen of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, celebrated her 40th birthday on January 9th and received a very special gift from the Queen herself.

The monarch took to Instagram to share four snaps of herself with her grandson's wife, wishing her a very happy birthday and adding a red balloon emoji.

Two of the pictures show Kate and the Queen undertaking joint royal engagements, while a third shows them cutting a cake at an event with Camilla.

The final shot captures the Queen with Kate, Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte at Trooping the Colour.

Prince Charles and Camilla also used social media to send their best wishes to their daughter-in-law, writing, “Wishing the Duchess of Cambridge a very happy 40th birthday today.”

The Duchess is spending the day with her closest family and friends and is expected to have a big joint celebration with Wills later this year, as the Duke turns 40 in June.

The Queen is expected to throw the bash, with Windsor Castle or Sandringham among the likely venues, as similar lavish bashes have previously been thrown to celebrate significant birthdays of several members of the family at the same time.

However, Prince William is set to endure a bittersweet moment when a certain royal title is given to his wife, Kate Middleton.

When Prince Charles ascends to the throne, he has to bestow his eldest son with the title of Prince of Wales, which belonged to his late mother, Princess Diana.

Tragically, Princess Diana never made it to the same birthday milestone, and since her death in 1997, her title of Princess of Wales has remained vacant.

Although the Duchess of Cornwall could technically use the title, she decided not to take it up out of respect and the strong public emotions it inspires.

A source told that it's hard to see it not happening, but the moment will be tinged with sorrow.

“I'm sure it'll be a bit of a bittersweet moment.

This is her, Diana's, son and his wife, so in some ways it will be coming full circle, but it will also be a poignant reminder of what we all lost.”

Kate Middleton has been compared to Princess Diana over the years, but holds a reverence for the mother-in-law she never met through her fashion and jewelry.

In a series of photographs taken to commemorate her 40th birthday, Kate chose to pay not one, but two subtle but touching tributes to Princess Diana.

One black and white portrait shows Kate in a traditional pose, showing off a sweet tribute to the late Princess of Wales.

Diana's diamond and pearl drop earrings are on full display as the Duchess models her hair swept back.

However, this is not the only tribute to her late mother-in-law as Diana's iconic sapphire engagement ring is also in full view, standing out against the surrounding white of Kate's dress.

The portraits were taken at Kew Gardens in November by fashion photographer Paolo Riversi, who described photographing Kate as a moment of pure joy.

He said, “Taking the portrait of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge was a true honor for me and a moment of pure joy.

I was moved by her warmth and friendly welcome and enchanted by her shining eyes that reflected the loveliness of her soul and her smile showing the generosity of her heart.

It was a profound and rich experience for me, an unforgettable moment.

I have met a wonderful person, a person who, with her positive energy, can bring hope to the whole world.”

Back in June 2000, a huge celebration was held at Windsor to mark Prince Andrew's 40th birthday, Princess Anne's 50th, Princess Margaret's 70th, and William's 18th.

However, this year's celebration for the Duchess is very much a scaled-down occasion, as she celebrates privately with her family.