The Duchess of Cambridge is turning 40 on Sunday. The former Kate Middleton remains in the public as the smiling, reliable mother of three who can comfort grieving parents at a children's hospice or wow the nation by playing piano at a Christmas concert.
“It was a really involved, thoughtful participation,” she recalled. “But even after those photographs had been taken, the duchess supported the project and supported Steven and Yvonne and took an interest in them and sent them Christmas cards, invited them to the carol service in Westminster Abbey recently and has just been wonderful.”
It was at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland that Kate first met Prince William, the elder son of the late Princess Diana and second in line to inherit the British throne after his father, Prince Charles. The tabloids dubbed her “Waity Katie” for her patience during their courtship. The couple eventually married at Westminster Abbey in 2011. They have three children.
While it wasn’t a secret that Kate had studied the instrument, the pre-recorded performance during a nationally televised concert was something new altogether. Walker said he didn’t know what to expect when the palace suggested the duchess might accompany him in performing the new song at the event.