Why 2025 is the year of love for Wills and Kate
The Prince of Wales posts an adorable message for his wife’s birthday
Prince William admitted the last 12 months have been “brutal” and he showed just how much has changed for his family, when he posted the most moving, personal message he’s ever written, for Catherine’s 43rd birthday, on Thursday.
Alongside a stunning, previously unseen, black and white portrait of the Princess of Wales, taken in Windsor last summer, Prince William wrote, “To the most incredible wife and mother. 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”
Twenty-four hours later, the post had been liked by 1.3 million people, all applauding an openness and show of emotion which not so long ago, wouldn’t have been dreamt of, within the palace. “In years gone by, such sentiments would have been shared privately. Indeed, most of the couple’s birthdays go largely unmarked, other than with a basic short message from the Royal family’s social media page,” wrote The Telegraph’s royal editor Hannah Furness. “However, just as their lives have changed in the face of serious illness, so has their communication.”
Speaking in Cape Town last November, William opened up about how hard the year had been, with Catherine undergoing chemotherapy as well as his father having treatment for cancer. “Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult, William said. “But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done”, adding, “from a personal family point of view”, the past year has been “brutal”.
One thing’s for sure, it’s given both of them a new perspective on the most important thing in life – love. As Catherine wrote in a letter for the program at her carol concert in December, “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times,” and it’s clear her family got the message.
Harry & Meghan’s emotional week
The Duke and Duchess have had a ‘devastating’ week. What with the passing of one of their beloved pets, Guy, who was Meghan’s rescue beagle, followed by a visit to Pasadena Convention Center to meet evacuees affected by the horrendous LA wildfires.
On Friday, the couple showed their support by donating food supplies and clothing on a visit to Pasadena, serving meals and speaking to survivors. To date, more than 150,000 have been evacuated, more than 12,000 structures lost and at least 13 people reported dead.
Harry and Meghan’s Montecito home is 90 miles from LA, and they have reportedly opened their doors to friends and loved ones displaced by the wildfires. In a statement, on Thursday, they said: “In the last few days, wildfires in southern California have raged through neighbourhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centres, and so much more - affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life.” They continued: “If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate, and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do.”
On Tuesday, Meghan posted a heartfelt tribute to her beloved beagle, Guy, who she adopted in 2015. She said on Instagram: “I have cried too many tears to count – the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend they’re not there. But they are. And that’s OK too. Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy. You filled my life in ways you’ll never know.”
Guy features in her new lifestyle and cookery show, With Love, Meghan, which launches on Netflix this Wednesday. “Because many of you will now see Guy in this new series, I hope you’ll come to understand why I am so devastated by his loss. I think you may fall a little bit in love too,” she said.
Zara’s close call
Nobody knows more than Zara Tindall and mum Princess Anne about horsemanship and the dangers involved and Zara had a close call last week in Australia. Down Under for the Magic Millions horse race in Queensland, Zara was posing on the beach at Surfers Paradise, with three horses and jockeys, for a photo shoot. However, one horse reared up and came down hard on her shoulder. She managed to get out of the way before any serious injuries occurred. Front of her mind, was no doubt, her mum Anne’s accident with a horse at home in Gatcombe Park, last year, when she was kicked in the head and taken to hospital.
Happy Birthday, Mia!
Meanwhile, back home in the UK, another Tindall will be making headlines this Friday: marvellous Mia. Zara and Mike’s eldest will be celebrating her 11th birthday at her family home on her grandmother, Princess Anne’s estate in Gloucestershire. We wish Mia many happy returns!
Listen to our podcast: Secrets of The Royals
Have you listened to Secrets of The Royal yet? To everyone who has done so or if you have watched the first series on You Tube - thank you. This week, why not check episode five, where we discuss the killing of Lord Mountbatten, an event that shook the royal family and the world.
We explore his background, his influential role and his complicated personal life . And we cover his shocking assassination by the IRA, the subsequent impact on the royal family, and serious abuse allegations that followed years later. Kerry takes a deep-dive into this story, so please give it a listen or watch, here on Substack, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.