Will and Kate hit the red carpet
Duchess celebrates her 30th birthday today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out onto a drizzly red carpet on Sunday at the U.K. premiere of Steven Spielberg’s War Horse. Held in London’s Leicester Square, the premiere benefited the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, of which Will and Kate are patrons.
Happy birthday to Duchess Kate! The former Kate Middleton, now known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, turns 30 today amid excited buzz about what husband Prince William of Wales will give her, and how she will celebrate — a big bash (sis Pippa is a party planner) or a low-key private party?
According to the U.K.’S Daily Mail, William, who turns 30 in June, is said to be buying his bride a new watch and commissioning an oil portrait of her. His grandmother Queen Elizabeth II supposedly is giving her a tiara from the royal collection.
But perhaps the greatest gift is one Kate has received ever since her April 29 wedding: the adoration of the public.
In honor of the duchess’s big day, here are 30 reasons why Americans can’t get enough of Kate.
1 Hollywood royalty is one thing. But Kate’s the real thing.
2 Her long, glossy hair, always beautifully coifed without being fussy.
3 Her teeny, tiny waist. So far. Until the baby bump arrives.
4 Her dazzling, genuine smile that’s worthy of a toothpaste ad.
5 Her adoration of William, obvious and authentic.
6Her makeup — she even did it herself for the wedding.
7 Her elevation of a unique social category — the classy commoner.
8 Her flawless and flexible style, from High Street frocks to haute couture Mcqueen gowns to jeans and jumpers.
9 Her patronage of non-boldfaced designers — she can make unknowns famous in just one photograph.
10 She recycles outfits in public. So thrifty. So normal.
11 She makes nude tights look chic. Quite a feat!
12 She’s got a fabulous (not frumpy) hat for every occasion. Totally makes us wish our country had the same affinity for the accessory.
13 Her sister, Pippa. Enough said. They even seem to really like each other. 14 She worked it on her first trip to North America.
15 Her wardrobe malfunction: the Marilyn Monroe moment on the North American tour when her dress floated up in a breeze, revealing her thong.
16 She embraces royal duties, attending church services and memorial ceremonies, and takes on charities to complement her husband’s.
17 Her choice of a UNICEF campaign to feed hungry children in East Africa as her first overseas charitable event.
18 Her willingness to don an apron during visits to kitchens and other culinary-related events.
19 Her goodsport attitude during public events. 20 She’s a military wife.
21 Her willingness to do her own grocery shopping. The butler doesn’t do it.
22 Her refusal to hire a gaggle of royal ser vants and staff to take care of their house or to accompany them on tours.
23 Her overall modesty.
24 Her acceptance of the position as Olympic ambassador, with her husband and his brother, to the London 2012 Summer Games.
25 Her desire to remain friends with old friends.
26 Her good manners in not outshining the bride at the wedding in Scotland of William’s cousin Zara to a British rugby player.
27 Her love of the outdoors. She’s even learning to shoot — always a royal requirement.
28 Her shyness and nervousness evolving into growing confidence and natural poise.
29 She doesn’t blab. Her silence is golden and enhances her mystique.
30 Her desire to be herself. She is not Diana. And that’s just fine.