How Kate Middleton and Prince William celebrated George’s 11th birthday: ‘Very different from last year’
Kate Middleton and Prince William are marking Prince George’s 11th birthday with a “private party,” The Post can reveal.
As the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales rings in his birthday Monday, the royals are making sure that his special day will be “as normal as possible” considering the difficult year the family has had so far.
“Kate is still going to very much carry on like many, many other mothers do, to keep as much of a normal life as possible,” a palace insider exclusively told The Post.
“With royal birthdays, especially with children and especially Catherine’s, they are very private occasions.”
As Middleton continues to undergo cancer treatment following her diagnosis in March, she’s making sure that George’s birthday party is just as fun as in years past, according to King Charles’ former butler.
“It will be business as usual with potentially a party or other kids coming round,” Grant Harrold exclusively told The Post.
“There will be something that happens. It won’t be a case of him sitting behind closed doors and not doing anything; there will be some sort of a celebration.”
“I’m sure he will get phone calls from his grandparents and other family members today,” Harrold said, adding that the Waleses are “very serious about their privacy.”
In previous years, Middleton, 42, and William have thrown lavish birthday parties for their kids, and have even invited their children’s classmates to the celebrations.
Harrold noted that the mom of three even invited other mothers to attend the festivities that she and William had hosted.
While George’s birthday stands to look a little different this year considering the challenges the family has been faced with, Harrold notes that the future king’s birthday will no doubt remain a “special occasion” for the family.
“Of course it’s going to be very different from last year, but they will go out of their way, I’m sure, to make George’s birthday as normal as possible this year,” he said.
“They wouldn’t want to make George think this year is any different. Yes, it will be different, for obvious reasons, but the parents will want him to have a normal birthday.”
The couple marked their son’s birthday by sharing a black and white photo of George, who is sporting a suit in the grown-up snap.
“Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th birthday today!” the Prince and Princess of Wales captioned the image that was shared on X and Instagram on July 22.
And according to the former royal butler, who had previously worked for King Charles for seven years, royal parties don’t differ too much from the average children’s birthday bash.
“A royal birthday party is very much like a normal birthday party. It is slightly different as their homes are slightly different to the average home,” Harrold explained.
“As far as the actual morning, it will be a typical morning with birthday cards, gifts and phone calls. In the afternoon, for the senior royals, it is business as usual with a few cakes along the way.”
