Ms Bond told OK!: “I’m sure Catherine’s new perspective on everything will include her own birthday.
“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.”
She added: “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 royal expert also claimed that, despite some women finding the prospect of turning 43 “daunting”, Kate will find each one of her birthdays a “cause for grateful celebration”.
She explained: “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.
“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.”
