A new year always brings with it a renewed sense of hope and if there is one person who will be eagerly looking forward to a fresh start, it’s the Princess of Wales. After what has been the most difficult 12 months of her life, Catherine has cause for celebration in the coming days as she will mark her 43rd birthday on 9 January.

“This birthday is going to be memorable in so many ways – it will mark the start of a new and hopefully happier year, and the end of one that has been brutal for the whole family,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK! “While some women might find the prospect of turning 43 a bit daunting, Catherine will, I am sure, be delighted that she is able to enjoy her birthday in comparatively good health, though of course she is still recovering. Every day must now be extra precious for the Princess, and every birthday a cause for grateful celebration.”

With her special day coming so soon after Christmas, the Princess’ birthday is usually a low-key affair, spent with William and their children. However, it’s possible there will be a bigger gathering this time around after last year’s milestone was marred by her health issues and previous years coincided with Harry and Meghan bombshells.

“I’m sure Catherine’s new perspective on everything will include her own birthday,” Jennie tells us. “As a healthy young woman, her forties would normally have held no fear for her. But her past few birthdays have all been rather overshadowed by events: Harry and Meghan announcing they were stepping back from royal duties on 8 January, 2020, then Harry releasing his book, Spare, on 10 January, 2023.

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“And this time last year, the Princess must have been anxious – and probably in pain – as she geared up for her planned abdominal surgery which took place a few days after her 42nd birthday. That, of course, was followed by the shock of her cancer diagnosis, so this will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate.”

The family have a great deal to celebrate as we begin the new year ( 
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While Prince William isn’t known for his overtly public displays of affection or romantic gestures, he makes no secret of his love for his wife – and will be able to indulge her on her big day.

“For her husband and children, this will be an excuse to spoil her rotten and, even though it falls on a school day, I’m sure that’s exactly what they’ll do,” Jennie says. “I imagine they will shower her with gifts – perhaps a collection of pampering products like luxurious bath oils and fabulously scented candles. Maybe William will buy her some silk pyjamas or cashmere jumpers – things that are soft on skin that has been bruised by surgery and treatment.

“He’s probably got a little bit of romance in him somewhere, and even though he says he’s not a very good cook, Catherine did tell Mary Berry that he’s quite good at breakfasts so maybe a tray complete with a rose will arrive early for her.”

The Princess will be celebrating her 43rd birthday ( 
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And while the Prince and Princess have created a tight-knit cocoon at home with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, there are other members of the family who have been there for the Princess through thick and thin and will surely relish the opportunity to ring in the next 12 months by her side.

“Her own little family and her parents and siblings will certainly all want to make a fuss of Catherine as she embarks on a new year,” the expert says as she refers to the steadfast support Carole and Michael Middleton have always given their daughter, as well as the comfort her sister Pippa and brother James have often provided.

“I think her ideal birthday would be a cosy celebration with her husband and children, so maybe William will have organised something delicious for a celebratory dinner at home. And I expect her mum will have baked a cake, perhaps with Charlotte joining in too.”