Royal news – live: Kate shares rare touching message to William with new photo to mark birthday

Prince William is today celebrating his 42nd birthday and the Princess of Wales has shared a touching message to mark the occasion.

Taking to the official Kensington Royal social media accounts, she shared a new picture of the heir to the throne appearing to jump on a sandy beach with his three young children.
Kate Middleton wrote: “Happy birthday Papa, we all love you so much! Cx”

It is not known if the Princess personally took the sweet picture.

The touching message comes after Kate made her first public appearance of the year on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour last weekend.

Commentators could not help but remark on how sparse the family looked compared to previous years.

Following the appearance, royal expert Richard Eden claimed that William plans to slim down the Monarchy even more when he takes the throne.

Writing for the MailOnline, he cited a source who said: “When the older members of the family retire, His Royal Highness won’t be inviting anyone else to become working royals.”

Prince William was born on this day in 1982 and his birth was a first for the royal family.

This is because he was the first-ever heir to the throne born in a hospital instead of a palace.

At the time of his birth, Princess Diana was just 21 and the now-King Charles was 33.

Prince William was born on this day in 1982 just before 10 pm.

Buckingham Palace shared the happy news in a statement placed on a gilded easel outside the palace.

It read: “Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales was today safely delivered of a son at 9.03 pm.

“Her Royal Highness and her son are both doing well.”

Prince William’s 42nd birthday has been rung in by Westminster Abbey in London.

The famous church is also coincidentally the location of his 2011 marriage to Kate Middleton and the 1981 marriage of William’s parents, King Charles and Princess Diana.

Taking to Twitter (X), the abbey wrote: “Wishing The Prince of Wales a very happy birthday today! We’ll be ringing the Abbey bells at 1pm to celebrate.

“His Royal Highness is [pictured] here with Members of the Royal Family enjoying a performance during this year’s Commonwealth Day service at the Abbey in March.”