Truth behind Prince William’s ‘remarkable’ birthday gesture to Kate revealed by royal expert

PRINCE William delighted royal fans this week by sharing a gushing tribute to wife Princess Kate on her birthday on Wednesday.

Royal reporter Bronte Coy shared how the public declaration is “unprecedented” for non-major birthdays for the “low key” royals and reflects William’s “relief” about Kate’s health improvement.

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Bronte shared: “I was really taken aback, but in a delightful way by that tweet, because, as you said, it’s quite remarkable. 

“I’m going to use a word that’s been used so many times in the last five years across the board, but it felt quite unprecedented, particularly for a non major birthday. 

“It’s a 43rd, typically the royals are a little bit more low key with their personal messages, particularly William.”

In his poignant message, William dedicated his post to “the most incredible wife and mother”, following her year undergoing preventative cancer treatment.

In September, Kate revealed she had finished chemotherapy and was “so grateful” for the support she has received.

William said on the birthday message: “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.”

William also shared an unseen black and white picture of the Princess taken by photographer Matt Porteous.

It showed Kate standing tall, but looking relaxed, in Windsor last summer, wearing jeans and a white blouse.

Bronte added to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson: “For me when I read it, and given the context of the last 12 months, we’re just shy of the anniversary of her going to hospital, the abdominal surgery, which we all know then led to her cancer battle. 

“It read to me like a man who’s feeling relieved and optimistic and happy about the future.

“And birthdays are such a time for reflection. 

“We spoke about that just a few months ago on Harry’s birthday, for different reasons. 

“I think the pair of them will now be at a point where the future is looking a lot brighter than it did around this time last year, and they’ll be very excited to move forward with that.” 

Making royal changes

Matt pointed out that William’s emotional message felt like he was “rewriting” typical royal rules.

The royal editor shared: “He seems to be rewriting his place in the royal family, in the way he communicates, because only a few weeks ago, where he described his hardest year, now he’s actually writing this, this tweet.

“Normally, royals are seen as stuffy, emotionless, you know, Victorian Edwardian era.”

It felt quite unprecedented, particularly for a non major birthday

Bronte Coyroyal reporter

Bronte continued: “I’ve really loved seeing it. 

“I think that people were so impacted when Kate announced that she had cancer last March, people were impacted because, of course, they can see themselves or relatives or people they love in that journey. 

“It’s something that a lot of people can relate to. 

“And the fact that we’ve seen such a human side of not just Kate, but of William, throughout that time, I think has been really, I’m going to use the word helpful, because I think it gives people that hope and inspiration and relatability,  and being able to hear how he really felt about it. 

“He was so honest at the end of last year, saying, it’s been a brutal year. It’s been a terrible time. 

“Of course it has. It has felt honest and authentic that he was able to actually say that, but I do think it heralds quite a new era for him. 

“I just don’t think we’ve ever seen William anything like this before.”

Kate’s health battles

Next week will mark a year since the princess was admitted to hospital for an operation on January 16, just seven days after her 42nd birthday.

She spent nearly two weeks in the London Clinic after major abdominal surgery, before beginning chemotherapy.

Since then, the 43-year-old has remained largely out of the public eye.

But, she announced in September last year that she had finished chemotherapy and she would focus on being “cancer free” in a heartwarming video.

By the end of 2024, the Princess made more appearances including hosting her annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.

And that gradual return continues in 2025 — although fans have been warned not to expect Kate to be “rushing back to the same volume of work” as before.

It is also understood tours abroad are “not on the table”, despite Prince William last year saying they might “have some more trips lined up”.

Instead, Kate’s “primary focus” will be her Centre for Early Childhood and UK-based engagements. She is expected to be seen “up and down the country” this year.

She will also support the Royal Family at events such as Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot and the Remembrance Day commemorations.

A source said: “There is no huge reset button on her work and if you look to the back end of 2024 there was a gradual return of the Princess of Wales into more public engagements.

“That gradual return will continue into 2025 and it was an extremely warm and wonderful bookend to 2024 to see her at the carol service, and she continues that gradual return.”