Inside Kate Middleton’s Big Year Ahead as She Prepares to Be Queen

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Kate Middleton has been getting ready for her future role as queen since her wedding day, when she promised to love and cherish Prince William.

It’s not that Kate Middleton has constantly focused on her future role as Princess of Wales for the last 15 years, but marrying the royal who was then second in line to the throne – and now first – immediately brought significant responsibilities.

The Princess of Wales has consistently impressed the public. From her wedding day to becoming a duchess and now supporting her husband as he prepares to be king, she’s handled constant public attention with poise and strength.

With Kate turning 44 on January 9th – a year after announcing her cancer was in remission – her future role as queen is taking center stage again.

This spring, both she and William will become responsible for approving Royal Warrants. This means they’ll officially endorse products and services they like, and the companies behind them can then proudly display that royal approval.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are once again taking on responsibilities assigned by the King. As King Charles III manages his health following a cancer diagnosis announced in 2024, he’s increasingly relied on his eldest son and daughter-in-law to represent the monarchy in public.

In 2024, while receiving chemotherapy – a year William described as very difficult – Kate drastically reduced her public appearances to just thirteen events. She then began taking on more commitments in 2025.

Last June, while participating in the Trooping the Colour parade as honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, Kate appeared radiant. According to Ailsa Anderson, a former spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth II, Kate “looks better and better” with each public appearance, as she told People magazine.

According to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, the Queen seemed assured and happy to be back to her public work.

According to the Court Circular, Kate completed an impressive 68 official engagements last year. She’s already begun her public duties in 2026, appearing with William on January 8th at a visit to Charing Cross Hospital in London.

Although Kate and William could make birthdays a bigger public event, they generally prefer to celebrate their own and their children’s birthdays with intimate gatherings at home.

According to Charles’s former butler, Grant Harrold, King Charles and Queen Camilla might give Kate a gift that originally belonged to Princess Diana. Harrold, speaking to Heart Bingo in the U.K., suggested it could be a personal item from Charles’s collection that he likes to give to family. Alternatively, he said, Charles might choose something from the Royal Collection, perhaps a family heirloom he’s permitted to share.

Oh my gosh, I was just reading about what William might get Kate for a gift! Apparently, according to sources, he’s thinking of jewelry, or something for the house – maybe a little of both? I’m already trying to guess what it will be, it’s SO exciting! I just know whatever he picks will be perfect for her, he always gets her the sweetest things.

Kate, William, and their children – George, Charlotte, and Louis – now live at Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom home in Windsor Great Park. They moved there last year from Adelaide Cottage.

In 2022, the family moved to Windsor so all their children could go to Lambrook School together. Prince George will be starting a new school this fall, and while the exact location hasn’t been announced, many believe Eton College—the same boarding school Prince William and Prince Harry attended—is a likely option, as it’s located nearby in Berkshire.

Now that George is in his final year at Lambrook school, Kate is especially enjoying driving him to and from school each day.

Kate shared updates about how quickly her children are growing up. During a museum visit in September, someone commented on their size, and Kate agreed, saying, “They’re getting big now.” Then, on Christmas Day during the family’s traditional walk to church, a fan playfully predicted that Prince George would soon be taller than her and William. Kate responded with a laugh, saying, “I know, I swear, he’s catching up with everybody, isn’t he?”

Meanwhile, Kate and William are also preparing 12-year-old George for his future role. Beyond enjoying special experiences like VIP access to Taylor Swift’s concert and great seats at soccer games, he’s now beginning to accompany his parents to more formal occasions, such as a tea party last spring to honor World War II veterans at Buckingham Palace.

An eleven-to-thirteen-year-old boy joined his mother at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance on November 8th at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Following the example set by his own childhood, Prince William recently brought his son to The Passage, a homeless shelter William first visited with his mother, Princess Diana, when he was a boy, to help serve lunch.

William shared on the October episode of The Reluctant Traveler that he wants to build a legacy his son can be proud of—work that truly makes a positive difference in the world, as he told Eugene Levy.

He also expressed hope that the negative experiences Harry and he faced growing up wouldn’t be repeated, and pledged to work hard to prevent a return to those conditions.

Right now, George is still Kate and William’s oldest child – a young boy who hasn’t gotten a phone yet and still relies on rides to school. His mother is determined to savor these everyday moments while they last.

Kate shared with some museum visitors that when they remembered being outside the hospital when she and Prince George left in 2013, it felt like only yesterday to her.

Speaking of which, see how Kate’s style has evolved through the years:

Despite wearing understated colors, Kate Middleton looked radiant with happiness as she joined the royal family’s walk to church on Christmas morning in 2025. This marked her return to the yearly tradition, having spent the previous Christmas privately with Prince William and their children.

In December 2022, Princess Catherine attended a Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace wearing a glittering Jenny Packham gown and several elegant pieces of jewelry. These included a badge presented to her by Queen Elizabeth II, the sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order, diamond earrings, a diamond Art Deco brooch, and the famous Lotus Flower Tiara originally worn by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

In 2022, shortly after becoming the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton wore a beautiful gown by Jenny Packham and paired it with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara for a state dinner.

It’s always great to see a royal re-wear an outfit! This particular Barbara Casasola dress was last seen on her at the 2016 Art Fund awards.

In 2019, Kate accepted the army’s salute while wearing an elegant coat dress by Catherine Walker, completed with coordinating shoes and a clutch.

In 2019, Kate impressed guests at a state banquet, including Steven Mnuchin, by wearing a white gown designed by Alexander McQueen – the same designer who made her famous wedding dress.

Let’s talk royal style! When you’re meeting royalty, dressing your best is absolutely key. I always advise clients that it’s a moment for a polished, elegant look. A perfect example? In 2019, Princess Catherine stunned when meeting the Queen in a gorgeous pink coat dress by Alexander McQueen, topped off with a beautiful fascinator from Juliette Botterill. It was a masterclass in sophisticated dressing!

At the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show, Kate Middleton wore a playful dress by British designer Erdem.

In 2019, Kate attended The Royal Foundation’s Mental Health in Education conference wearing a coordinated blazer and skirt outfit.

The royal stunned in a white McQueen gown for the 2019 BAFTA Awards.

Kate turned heads in this Eponine London dress for Children’s Mental Health Week 2019.

In 2019, 5he royal looked fabulous in a tweed jacket and boots at Islington Community Garden.

In 2019, while visiting Scotland, Kate looked stunning in a green and blue tartan coat dress by Q by McQueen.

This royal isn’t shy about wearing bright colors, like the lovely magenta outfit she chose for an event at The Royal Opera House in 2019.

In 2018, Kate happily watched as planes flew overhead to mark the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary.

The mother of three stunned in this number for an event with Family Action Charity in 2019.

In 2018, while Meghan Markle often wore royal blue, Kate Middleton stood out with a striking all-one-color outfit.

In January 2019, Kate and Prince William were seen walking together, with Kate wearing a coat dress, a coordinating hat, and black heels.

In 2018, Kate inspired holiday fashion with a green and white polka dot dress by L.K. Bennett, which she wore with a khaki clutch and matching heels during a visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

At a diplomatic reception in 2018, the princess resembled Cinderella in a stunning, sparkly gown by Jenny Packham. The dress had delicate, sheer cap sleeves and was covered in shimmering sequins.

During a 2018 visit to RAF Akrotiri, Kate Middleton chose a smart yet relaxed outfit: a forest green Smythe blazer, navy pants, and a white shirt.

For a 2018 holiday party, Kate wore a cheerful plaid Emilia Wickstead skirt with a black Brora cardigan and comfortable black heeled boots.

In 2018, the royal visited the UCL Developmental Neuroscience Lab wearing a burgundy Paule Ka blazer and skirt, along with a black turtleneck, tights, and heels.

I was absolutely captivated by Kate’s outfit at the opening of the McLaren Technology Centre in 2018! She looked incredible in a stylish blue coat dress, which she paired with classic navy heels and a sleek black clutch. It was such a sophisticated and elegant look.

For the 2018 Remembrance Day service, Kate wore a dark green coat with buttons and velvet accents on the collar, cuffs, and pockets. She completed her look with a fuzzy headband and a black clutch.

At the 2018 Tusk Conservation Awards, Kate looked beautiful in a previously worn aquamarine gown by Jenny Packham. She completed the outfit with sparkling diamond earrings, a coordinating clutch, and Jimmy Choo heels.

In 2018, The Princess of Wales visited the Imperial War Museum wearing a sleek blue dress, nude heels, and a coordinating clutch.

For Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018, Kate Middleton wore a beautiful, all-fuchsia outfit – a dress and matching headpiece – both designed by Alexander McQueen.

In 2018, the mother of three looked stunning in a burgundy and checkered Erdem dress, completing the outfit with matching shoes and a clutch.

Kate looked effortlessly chic at a 2018 mental health summit, wearing a lovely purple dress by Emilia Wickstead, paired with nude heels and a leather handbag from Aspinal.

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2026-01-09 11:18