Royal Favourite - Happy Birthday, Kate

As she reaches 39, we look at the exciting year ahead for the duchess of Cambridge

- Lisa Blake

The Duchess of Cambridge has seen her life change immeasurably in the past decade, as she’s become more self-assured and confident in her royal status. And as she celebrates her 39th birthday on Saturday, with her husband, the Duke of Cambridge, 38, and their three children, she has every right to feel proud of her achievements.

Former royal correspondent Duncan Larcombe has known the University of St Andrews’ alumnus since the early days of her romance with Prince William.

“I first spoke to Kate when she joined Prince Charles’ ski trip to Klosters in Switzerland in 2005. She was very shy, but also smiley and carefree,” says Duncan. “There was no indication of a future monarch in our midst. Fifteen years later and she has morphed into the perfect queen in waiting.”

Since her marriage, Kate has attended hundreds of royal engagements and, as Duncan points out, she’s behaved impeccably – except for one tiny slip-up at a 2013 St Patrick’s Day parade. “She got her heel caught in a drain. That is quite literally the only time Kate has ever put a foot wrong,” he says. “Even after giving birth to Prince George she looked like she was going to a wedding. In fact, after each birth she has looked incredible. She’s nailed everything.”

Kate’s closeness to the Queen has helped cement her popularity, too. The two are said to have grown closer since the Cambridges moved on a more permanent basis from Anmer Hall in Norfolk to 1A Kensington Palace in 2013.