The royal family have wished the Princess of Wales a happy 42nd birthday, posting a new behind-the-scenes photo of Kate on the King’s coronation day.

Kate, wearing her deep blue Royal Victorian Order mantle edged in scarlet and silver bullion, and crystal and silver thread work leaf embroidery headpiece, is pictured smiling at her newly crowned father-in-law, Charles.

The scene, taken inside Buckingham Palace after the coronation, also features the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh laughing and celebrating with the King, who is wearing the Imperial State Crown, after the historic ceremony.

The image was taken by Chris Jackson of Getty Images, and follows the tradition of releasing new photographs to mark royal birthdays.

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born to Carole and Michael Middleton on January 9, 1982, and grew up in Berkshire with siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton.

She met and began dating Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, at St Andrews University, and married him in Westminster Abbey in 2011, becoming the Duchess of Cambridge and also a future Queen.

Just over a year into her new role as the Princess of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Kate has channelled her energy into her Shaping Us campaign, which aims to highlight and promote the significance of the formative years of a child’s life.