Kate Middleton released an emotional message to mark her 39th birthday in lockdown

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Coronavirus has changed everything about life as we know it, with people now isolated to their homes in a third lockdown. Not exempt from this are the royal family, with the Mountbatten-Windsors also having to cancel their plans.

The Queen made headlines last week as she was forced to cancel a particularly special Sandringham tradition due to the pandemic, but this week it was Kate Middleton who made headlines as she celebrated her 39th birthday.

Due to restrictions on socialising, the festivities were no doubt different from normal, something that was reflected in the Cambridge family's post to social media.

A photo posted by on

Taking to Instagram, the Cambridges posted a different type of tribute, uploading a photograph of Kate wearing a face mask.

‘Thank you for your kind wishes on The Duchess’ birthday’, captioned the post, but the Cambridges then went on to post an emotional message about the current situation.

‘Birthdays have been very different in recent months,’ read the caption. ‘And our thoughts continue to be with all those working on the front line at this hugely challenging time.’

It has not been revealed how Kate spent the day, but we're sure the Cambridges marked the day privately as a family.

Happy Birthday Kate!

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.