Prince William publicly hailed his wife Kate as ‘incredible’ in an emotional statement to mark her 43rd birthday today along with releasing a brand new picture of the princess – and one royal expert explains why both the photo and message are “breathtaking”

Prince William’s powerful statement publicly declaring his love for Kate on her birthday shows it’s the end of an era for the Royal Family, according to an expert.

The Princess of Wales turned 43 today and to mark the day, in a rare move, William posted a heartfelt written message on social media after a turbulent past year which saw Kate diagnosed with cancer. It was accompanied by a new, unseen black and white picture of Kate taken by Matt Porteous, in Windsor, last summer, showing the princess looking relaxed and smiling with her hands in her jean pockets and wearing a gingham scarf.

A new photo of the Princess of Wales shared to mark her 43rd birthday ( 
Image:
princeandprincessofwales/Instagram)

Kate with her three children on Christmas Day ( 
Image:
PA)William wrote: “To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W.”

The statement marks one of William’s most personal admissions to date and comes just weeks after he talked about his wish for a more empathetic monarchy. And royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop told the Mirror the ‘breathtaking’ photo and message is proof that long gone are the days of the royals maintaining a stiff upper lip and avoiding public displays of affection.

She explained: “Black and white, timeless and yet contemporary, the portrait photograph released to celebrate the 43rd birthday of the Princess of Wales is breathtaking, likewise the message that accompanies it. Authored by William, with the tell-tale W sign-off, he shares his great admiration for a ‘most incredible wife.’ And the Prince goes even further, speaking for him and his children, William publicly reaffirms their adoration for Catherine in three simple words: ‘We love you.’

“Statements don’t come much more powerful than that. Gone are the days when royally kept their distance and avoided overtly sentimental displays of affection; William is letting everyone know just how proud he is of his wife, and likewise what they have achieved together. Contrary to monarchy’s reputation in recent years, here is a functional family that can face down adversity together.”

William and Kate last year during the Qatar state visit ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)Tessa added that she believes the photo was deliberately chosen to show an “everyday princess” and speaks a lot about an issue both William and Kate are keen to tackle – mental health. She said: “Released on their Instagram page, the birthday message is intended for wide audience. Deliberately unshowy, a simple photo of Kate in jeans speaks to an everyday version of the princess.

“The family are sharing her inspirational story with us all, as the nation battles unprecedented mental and physical health issues in the year’s bluest month, January. William references ‘the strength’ his wife has shown in the face of cancer treatment, a human reminder that if the right support is there, amazing things can be achieved.”

Not only did William take to social media to mark Kate’s birthday, the King did too. The Royal Family sent its birthday wishes to the princess on the monarchy’s official social media account. The post read: “Happy Birthday to The Princess of Wales!” followed by a birthday cake emoji. It was accompanied by a photo of Kate smiling as she collected bouquets of flowers from wellwishers while attending church in Sandringham on Christmas Day.

Yet to send any wishes are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are estranged from their royal relatives. Kate’s birthday comes just a week before the release of Meghan’s new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. The Waleses and the Sussexes are currently leading very different lives, with William and Kate viewed as the future of the monarchy in the UK, while Harry and Meghan live a more Hollywood life in California.

And according to Tessa, the message and photo lays bare the differences between the couples. She added: “In a month when we are braced for the release of Netflix’s With Love, Meghan, a show-biz reality series with a dollop of California-style domestic bliss, this classy birthday post presents a very British alternative: a sincere short statement of heartfelt love and respect.

“A reminder that while Harry and William come from the same family, they now occupy very different worlds and are married to very different women. But if the brothers remain poles apart, surely today everyone is able to wish the Princess of Wales the happiest of birthdays.”