Kate Middleton is turning 39 years old on Jan. 9, 2021, but she will not have a party nor see her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, because of the third nationwide lockdown in the United Kingdom.
Sources told Vanity Fair that Kate doesn't mind missing out on a party for her birthday, given the public health situation in the U.K. Her favorite way to celebrate her birthday is to simply be with Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Cambridges are currently staying put in Anmer Hall, Norfolk, and they do not have any plans to return to Kensington Palace as COVID-19 cases surge in the U.K. The children's school will be slightly interrupted as George and Charlotte shift from in-person classes to online, just like the first time the country went into a lockdown.
But because of the current situation, Louis won't likely start his formal education. Both his older siblings began nursery school in January 2016 and 2018, respectively but primary and secondary schools are closed all over the country at this time.
Meanwhile, royal biographer Ingrid Seward said that, more than celebrating her birthday, Kate is keen on going back to work on her Early Years initiative. However, she will also have to juggle homeschooling the kids. Seward also said that Kate and William are looking forward to spending more time with their children while in lockdown as they conduct their work virtually.
On Thursday, William had a video conference call with the frontline staff of the Homerton University Hospital, which had the highest number of COVID-19 patients this week. William wanted to hear what challenges the staff have been going through compared to the previous months. The Cambridge royals will likely continue working virtually in the next couple of months.
Last year, Kate's birthday was overshadowed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who announced that they will be stepping down as working royals. Royal expert Phil Dampier said that the Sussex pair's move showed just how much the foursome have drifted apart.
Kate celebrated her 38th birthday in private at Kensington Palace. But a few days before her big day, she hosted a lunch in Anmer Hall among the company of family and friends. Her parents came to the intimate party along with friends like Lady Laura Meade, Thomas van Straubenzee and his wife Lucy, and the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley David and Rose Hanbury.
