Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. celebrated her 40th birthday on Sunday, January 9. To mark the big day she released three new glamorous portraits. In one, Middleton wears an off-the-shoulder red satin gown, custom Alexander McQueen, with her hair flowing in the wind, and a pair of diamond earrings from the collection of Queen Elizabeth.
In another portrait, the Duchess takes a more traditional portrait pose and again wears jewelry from the family collection, this time a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings that belonged to the late Princess Diana. She also wears Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, clearly visible on the hand resting along her wide flowing skirt.
A third portrait strikes a balance between the two, shared in the same traditional black and white with a warm tone, showing Middleton smiling widely directly into the camera. This time, she’s wearing what looks like a white gown, again off the shoulder, featuring an explosion of ruffles. The pearl drop earrings are visible in her long, loose locks.
Middleton has worn these pieces before and often wears the monarch’s jewelry. She and her husband Prince William have been taking on more royal duties as Queen Elizabeth has been kept home by ongoing health issues and for her safety in the COVID-19 surges around the U.K. The Duchess will be celebrating her birthday at home as well, in part due to the pandemic.
Last year, the future queen consort had a tea party for her 39th birthday at her country home in Norfolk, Anmer Hall, hosted by the rest of her family, Prince William and their three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Photo Credit: Paolo Roversi