Duchess of Cambridge celebrates 40th birthday as trusted member of Royal Family

The milestone birthday is only the beginning for Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, who has earned a bright future in the Royal Family.

They say life begins at 40 and it’s certainly true of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who enters her fifth decade at full throttle.

Kate, who hits her birthday milestone on Sunday, January 9, has been playing the long royal game, employing a strategy of slow and steady, since marrying Prince William in 2011. It’s now paying dividends for the duchess.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge shone at the No Time To Die premiere in London. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In fact, the cruel nickname Waity Katy she earned while dating William turned out to be prescient – as her decision to “look and learn”, before deciding her future role, has left her in the best shape ever at 40. Now the duchess who dazzled the world in her gold Jenny Packham goddess gown at the No Time to Die premiere in September, is a trusted senior member of the Royal Family and central to the future of the monarchy.

“Catherine is a positive force in the Royal Family. It took some time, but she’s really grown into her role,” says Brittani Barger, deputy editor of Royal Central.

“She’s a great asset to the family.”

Everything about her has got better with age, from her fashion to her philanthropic passions, speeches to parenting strategies.

The fastest evolution came in her clothes – the Kate Middleton who wore Paris Hilton-esque low-waisted jeans and Ugg boots is a distant memory from the polished duchess today. From her Smythe blazers and wide-leg trousers, to her Catherine Walker coat dresses and trademark glossy hair, and her fashion choices continue to sell out as soon as she sports them.

In 2005, Kate Middleton was sporting casual looks.

Luxurious Smythe blazers are now a regular part of her ensemble.

But there’s much more to her than a wardrobe – Catherine’s commitment to causes close to her heart has seen her quietly make innovations in many areas she is passionate about. It was Catherine, insiders say, who had the idea for Heads Together – the mental health campaign she launched with William and Prince Harry.

I think we will see Catherine focus more on mental health,” says Brittani.

“She spearheaded Heads Together, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see her do something similar again.”

Kate came into her own by launching several charitable campaigns for children, including mental health initiative Heads Together. Picture: Jonathan Brady/Getty Images

Similarly, she has made great innovations with her Early Years Initiative, highlighting the experiences children have in their first years impact them forever and can lead to addiction, family breakdown and poor mental health. After almost a decade of working within the sector, in June Catherine launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, to “drive awareness of and action on the extraordinary impact of the early years, in order to transform society for generations to come,” according to the palace.

She is in a position of effecting real change, says Sue Atkins, Parenting Coach.

“Early childhood development sets the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour and health,” she says.

“Catherine and the Royal Family have a huge influence globally – it’s such a vital message to share about the important role parents play helping to raise happy, confident, resilient children with strong self-esteem and good mental health.”

Kate’s passion for youth causes is an asset to the Royal Family. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In 2019 she became the patron of childrens’ charity Family Action. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It was the pandemic that really saw Catherine come in to her own, as she launched her photography project Hold Still and she and William supported frontline workers in the UK. In December she hosted a special carol concert for unsung lockdown heroes. It’s hoped the concert in Westminster Abbey will become a regular event.

“We’ve been through such a bleak time,” Catherine said.

“We’ve also realised how much we need each other and how acts of kindness and love can really bring us comfort and relief.”

They were words redolent of her late mother-in-law, Diana, and Catherine, who will become the Princess of Wales on Prince Charles’ accession to the throne, even played the piano at the event. Unlike Diana’s dance with ballet star Wayne Sleep in 1985, the reception was rapturous. The video of her performing For Those Who Can’t Be Here with Tom Walker has been viewed more than 11 million times on the Cambridge’s Instagram page.

The Duchess of Cambridge hosted a Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey last year. Picture: Yui Mok/Getty Images

Catherine’s calm, quiet, demeanour means she is currently enjoying her highest popularity levels, but it wasn’t always so – she was once dubbed the Duchess of Dolittle, because of her slow start to public life.

“She was quite shy when she first entered the Royal Family, but has now adjusted. You can especially see that when she gives speeches. She is much more confident in her abilities,” says Brittani. 

And with the Queen passing on many of her duties, it’s expected we will only see more of Catherine.

“She gave us a taste of her creativity with Hold Still and that showed a glimpse of the asset she will be for the UK in the future,” says Brittani.

“She knows how to bring people together.”

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