35 reasons why we love Duchess Kate
Duchess Catherine of Cambridge turned 35 on Monday – and that means it's time for our annual review of what we love about Kate! Here we go...
1. She's so low key. Don't expect to see her out and about; her birthday has been celebrated privately for the past several years since she married Prince William in April 2011.
2. Kate doesn't answer criticism. Even when someone criticizes her hair. Too long and too messy, said some unnamed critics. Then a former royal hairdresser, Denise McAdam, promoting a new reality show, went on record saying her hair looked "overdone." Kate ignored it all.
3. Her hair makes news – no matter what she does with it. Attending a charity function in July 2014, she looked (despite pregnancy rumors) super skinny in a coral-pink belted dress, but the Brits couldn't get over her slightly new hair style, pulled back and up with glossy ringlets. "It rather stole the limelight," the Daily Mail said. (We all remember the year she got bangs, right?)
4. She's a working mom. Kate has kept a busy schedule, never mind the recent raised eyebrows about comparisons of her workload — 76 public engagements in 2014 vs. more than 200 for her 93-year-old grandfather-in-law Prince Philip.
5. And she's not stopping! She's got two events on deck this week.
6. Kate likes to travel. Remember that smash hit three-week tour Down Under that even baby George got to go on?
7. She sampled whiskey. While traveling in Scotland with Prince William. And just days after photos were published of her unfortunate Marilyn Monroe moment while in Australia. Well done.
8. She played cricket in heels. This, while in New Zealand.
9. Kate understands the importance of me-time. She and Will have taken at least two romantic trips without the children, including a holiday to the Maldives.
10. She's been ever more warmly embraced by the queen. She attended church with the queen at her Sandringham estate Sunday, the first outing for the matriarch since her bout with a nasty cold over the holidays.
11. She's a decorum queen. She always remembers personal touches and nods to the countries she visits when traveling. While in New Zealand in 2014, she wore a bespoke Jenny Packham black dress embroidered with sparkly silver ferns on her left shoulder, in tribute to the Kiwis' national emblem.
12. She charmed Hillary in a royal second. When they met in New York, Clinton couldn't stop grinning.
13. And One Direction charmed her. At the Royal Variety Performance in 2014, Prince William teased the boys that he'd be "keeping a close eye" on them as they met his wife.
14. Kate gets really into Wimbledon. Her gripping, hilarious and intense facial expressions as she watches the matches are priceless — and completely unscripted.
15. She made Valentine's Day about other people. Kate inaugurated an art therapy room at a London high school, built by The Art Room, for which she is royal patron.
16. She seems relaxed while parenting two young kids. How do you handle two toddlers at a Christmas church service? Candy canes do the trick.
17. She is a tough cookie. Kate had to deal with severe morning sickness for a second time. "It's a pretty horrible thing," Prince Harry told the press.
18. And knows how to stage a comeback! After months of morning sickness, Kate returned to public gaze glowing in Alexander McQueen when she and Prince William welcomed the president of Singapore in the royal razzle-dazzle of a state visit — her first — complete with a royal carriage ride to the palace.
19. She's got great genes. In honor of her visit to Bletchley Park (featured in The Imitation Game), where the Duchess' grandmother Valerie Middleton was a member of the staff during World War II, Clarence House tweeted out a photo of Valerie from back in the day. And she's stunning.
20. Kate finally came to NYC! Major glamour ensued.
21. And got real. While she was here, she couldn't resist an eye-roll thanks to a demanding handler who told her to "keep wrapping" Christmas gifts during a charity event. #justlikeus
22. She poses for selfies. Just like a real person.
23. She's still recycling, recycling, recyling. She pulled out an oldie-but-goodie in December for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace: A bespoke Jenny Packham gown. Plus a tiara that Princess Diana had worn.
24. And Kate's trying new things! Like new designer Vanessa Seward, who made Kate's very festive holiday dress.
25. She rocks serious diamonds. Kate wore a gob-smacking diamond necklace, borrowed from the queen, in her first appearance of 2014. Though she looked regal in an inky blue, off-the-shoulder ruched silk Jenny Packham gown, all eyes went to her sweetheart neckline where she wore a necklace given to the queen as a wedding gift in 1947. Wowza.
26. She's learning the power of royal symbolism. At the Tower of London's moving art installation of nearly 900,000 ceramic poppies "planted" in the moat to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. Kate, Will and Harry were among the first royals to visit, plant their poppies and pay tribute, as royals are supposed to do.
27. She can hang with anyone. This includes Jay Z and Beyonce, who she hung out with courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game.
28. She's cool if the odd (famous) American breaks protocol. You know, like when LeBron James put his arm around her after a game. No big deal, right? (Minus the subsequent Twitter meltdown.)
29. She shares sweet George and Charlotte moments with us. Remember those rosy-cheeked Prince George portraits?
30. She didn't forget Lupo! He's made his way into a portrait or two.
31. Kate is a proud amateur photographer. She's now a member of The Royal Photographic Society.
32. Kate dresses George and Charlotte in the cutest outfits ever. We can't get over those matching coats for Christmas.
33. And she let Prince George keep the wombat. You know, the one he loved so much in Australia. "We go away with wonderful memories, and George goes away with his cuddly wombat, which he has taken to chewing so lovingly," Prince William told reporters.
34. She's into adult coloring books. Will told author Johanna Basford that Kate is found of her coloring book the Secret Garden.
35. She appreciates a good fur hat. Like the one she wore the day before her birthday.