Kate Middletonmissed out on a royal birthday tradition this weekend.
Westminster Abbey — where Kate andPrince Williamtied the knot in 2011 — is known for ringing its bells to celebrate the birthdays of senior members of the royal family. However, the tradition has changed amid financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before 2020, the bells marked the birthdays of 12 royals.Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, their four children —Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — all receive the honor, as does Charles' wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Prince William, Kate and their three kids — Prince George,Princess Charlotteand Prince Louis — completed the list. However, the Abbey announced that starting in 2022, the bells would only mark the birthdays of the Queen and Prince Charles.
The bellslast rang for Kate’s birthdayin Jan. 2020 when she turned 38.
Despite not ringing their bells on Sunday to celebrateKate’s milestone 40th birthday, the Abbey posted abirthday tributeon Twitter with a photo of her arriving at the Abbey to the Christmas carol concert she hosted in December, where sheplayed pianoto accompany Tom Walker’s performance.
Prince HarryandMeghan Markle’s birthdays were not celebrated with the bells, even before they stepped back from their senior royal roles. Even some working members of the family — including Sophie, Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra — were not part of Westminster Abbey’s schedule before the change.
Currently, the only date on the Abbey’sbell ringing schedulefor 2022 is Sunday, May 1 to mark Civic Sunday.
The bells have also marked other special royal events in the past, such asbirthsand weddings.
Kate Middleton plays piano at Together At Christmas 2021.Alex Bramall/Kensington Palace via Getty
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Kate did follow another royal birthday tradition:releasing new portraitsto celebrate her big day!
Kate Middleton on her 40th birthday.Paolo Roversi
The portraits will enter the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, of which Kate is Patron. Ahead of the Portrait Gallery’s re-opening in 2023, the photographs will be part of its Coming Home project, a nationwide initiative that sees portraits of well-known individuals being sent to locations that they are closely associated with.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s new photos will be displayed over the course of 2022 in three places that hold special meaning to Kate: Berkshire, St. Andrews and Anglesey.
Kate grew up in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and often returns to spend time with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who still live in the quiet village.
St. Andrews is an important spot for both Kate andPrince Williamas they met as freshmen at the University of St. Andrews in 2002.
source: people.com
