ΚΑΤE the GREAT

AS THE DUCHESS CELEBRATES HER MILESTONE 40TH BIRTHDAY, SHE PREPARES TO START HER BUSY NEW CHAPTER

- Kylie Walters

There is a popular saying that “life begins at 40”. And it's an adage that the Duchess of Cambridge is proving true as she prepares to celebrate her milestone birthday on January 9.

After just over a decade in her royal role, Kate Middleton finished off 2021 with a bang. The mum-of-three stepped out looking dazzling in a bold red coat dress from Catherine Walker to host the Together At Christmas carol service on December 8.

Despite being attended by other senior royals, including her husband Prince William, 39, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, it was Kate who took centre stage as the mastermind behind the night - which was an opportunity to say thank you to the heroes that had worked on Britain's COVID frontline for almost two years.

"It was the most magical evening," an attendee told Hello! magazine. “[William and Kate] very much look like the future king and queen,” the source added.

Confident and in charge, the Kate we see today is a far cry from the one who presented in years gone by. During her decade of courtship, the duchess was nicknamed “Waity Katie” by the British tabloids, then labelled as "work-shy" for carrying out a smaller amount of engagements than older members of the Windsor family in her first years of marriage.

But the slow and steady approach has worked for Kate, compared to her sister-in-law Meghan Markle, who wanted to “hit the ground running" before walking away from her duties less than two years after she tied the knot with Prince Harry, 37.

“[Kate] is more and more impressive as time goes on," a source close to the royal household confirmed to People magazine. "She is a focused and professional woman," the source added.