Kate is going full force at 40
As Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge celebrates her big birthday – here’s why her forties will be her best decade ever
Happy New Year! We start the first newsletter of 2022 celebrating Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s 40th birthday, today, January 9.
They say life begins at 40 and it’s certainly true of Catherine, who has never been in a stronger position. Kerry took a look at how much she’s grown, for The Sunday Telegraph. Here’s an extract:
The nickname Waity Katie she earned while dating Prince William turned out to be prescient, as her decision to “look and learn”, before deciding her future role, has left her in the best shape ever at 40. Now the duchess who dazzled the world in her gold Jenny Packham gown at the No Time to Die premiere in September, is a trusted senior member of the Royal Family and central to the future of the monarchy. Everything about her has got better with age, from her fashion to her philanthropic passions, speeches to parenting strategies.
The fastest evolution came in her clothes – Kate Middleton who wore Paris Hilton-esque low-waisted jeans and Ugg boots is a distant memory from the polished duchess today. From her Smythe blazers and wide-leg trousers, to her Catherine Walker coat dresses and trademark glossy hair, she is always impeccably turned out and her fashion choices continue to sell out as soon as she wears them.
But there’s much more to her than a wardrobe – Catherine’s commitment to causes close to her heart has seen her quietly make innovations in many areas she is passionate about. Just don’t expect her to blow her own trumpet.
It was Catherine, insiders say, who had the idea for Heads Together – the mental health campaign she launched with William and Prince Harry. Royal reporters think this is an area she will continue to build on. Similarly, she has made great innovations with her Early Years Initiative, highlighting the experiences children have in their first years impact them forever and can lead to addiction, family breakdown and poor mental health. After almost a decade of working within the sector, in June Catherine launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, to “drive awareness of and action on the extraordinary impact of the early years, in order to transform society for generations to come,” according to the palace.
She is in a position of effecting real change, says Sue Atkins, Parenting Coach. “Catherine and the Royal Family have a huge influence globally – it’s such a vital message to share about the important role parents play helping to raise happy, confident, resilient children with strong self-esteem and good mental health,” she says.
It was the pandemic that really saw Catherine come in to her own, as she launched her photography project Hold Still and she and William supported frontline workers. In December she hosted a carol concert for lockdown heroes. “We’ve been through such a bleak time,” Catherine said. “We’ve also realised how much we need each other and how acts of kindness and love can really bring us comfort and relief.”
They were words redolent of her late mother-in-law, Diana, and Catherine, who will become the Princess of Wales on Prince Charles’ accession to the throne, even played the piano at the event. Unlike Diana’s dance with ballet star Wayne Sleep in 1985, the reception was rapturous. The video of her performing For Those Who Can’t Be Here with Tom Walker has been viewed more than 11 million times on the Cambridge’s Instagram page.
Camilla turns editor
Meghan did it with Vogue and now it’s Camilla’s turn as she guest edits Country Life. She becomes the third royal to take over the magazine, following Prince Charles and Princess Anne. The duchess will edit the July issue and is expected to shed light on some more serious issues than its infamous Girls in Pearls, including domestic violence and loneliness.
Editor Mark Hedges said, “Her Royal Highness is a passionate countrywoman and we are delighted that she follows her husband in presiding over this commemorative edition.” She’ll also become boss of son, Tom Parker Bowles, who is a food writer on the title. “As a columnist for Country Life, I’m delighted my mother will be guest editing,” he said. “But rather hoping she won’t try to muck about with my copy.”
Royals in court
Now for a different kind of court – this week Prince Andrew was back in the headlines for his ongoing legal battle with Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. According to The Telegraph, Andrew hasn’t ruled out making a financial settlement to avoid the case going to trial. A potential pay-off could be “at least” several million pounds. According to the Daily Mail, the Duke of York is also attempting to speed up the sale of his £17 million Swiss chalet to cover some of the legal fees.
In more legal news, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex concluded her case with the Mail on Sunday and will receive £1 in damages for breaching her privacy, alongside £300,000 for legal costs and a lump sum for copyright infringement.
Hats off to this mini-monarch
Our favourite story this week was that of US toddler Jalayne Sutherland dressing up as the Queen for Halloween. Jalayne, one, looked the part in her coat, hat and pearls, complete with family corgis, Jack and Rascal, and Her Majesty obviously thought so too, as she received a letter from Windsor Castle, after mum Katelyn posted the photos.
“The Queen wishes me to write and thank you for your letter, and for the photograph you thoughtfully enclosed,” lady-in-waiting Mary Morrison wrote. “Her Majesty thought it kind of you to write to her, and The Queen was pleased to see the photograph of your daughter, Jalayne, in her splendid outfit. Her Majesty hopes you all have a very Merry Christmas, and I am enclosing a little information about the Royal Pets, which Jalayne might like to have.”
Coining it in for the Jubilee
We’ve still got our Silver Jubilee coins safely stored away and now we can add one for the Platinum Jubilee too, as The Royal Mint announced a range of commemorative coins to mark the occasion, including the Queen on horseback by John Bergdahl. The collection includes the first UK 50p coin to celebrate a royal event.