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The Princess of Wales received a birthday wish from her father-in-law. King Charles and Queen Camilla's official social media accounts celebrated Catherine's special day on Thursday, Jan. 9.
"Happy Birthday to The Princess of Wales! 🎂," a message alongside a photo of the Princess read. The picture, taken on Christmas Day, shows Catherine smiling and holding bouquets of flowers. The same photo and message was shared on the royal family's Instagram Story.
His Majesty has previously referred to Catherine as his "beloved daughter-in-law." Last year, after the Princess announced that she had begun a course of preventative chemotherapy treatment—which she has since completed—a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that the King was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.” The palace spokesperson also shared that the King, who spent time at the same hospital as Catherine last January, had “remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks."
The Sun reported last March that the day before the Princess of Wales announced that she was undergoing chemotherapy, she and the King, who was diagnosed with a form of cancer in 2024, had a private lunch at Windsor Castle. “It is highly unusual for just the two of them to sit down together like this,” a source told the outlet at the time. “The King had already been made aware that the woman he calls ‘my beloved daughter-in-law’ had cancer.”
“They would have had lots to discuss and share because just weeks earlier the King had begun his course of treatment and dealt with announcing his diagnosis,” the source added. “The King left his lunch feeling very emotional. They are very close and he thinks of Catherine as his daughter."
Prince William, who has previously described last year as "brutal," praised his wife's "strength" in a personal message shared on Catherine's 43rd birthday. "To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable," the Prince of Wales penned. "George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W."