A royal heir, an intimate christening and THAT volleyball game: It's been her most momentous year yet - so how will Kate celebrate her 32nd birthday? 

  • Duchess turns 32 today and will celebrate 'privately' palace announces
  • William and Kate are likely to spend day at Kensington Palace apartment
  • It is not known if family-orientated Kate will be joined by her parents 
  • Year has seen Duchess become a parent as well as embrace her royal role

By Katy Winter

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The Duchess of Cambridge is celebrating her 32nd birthday today in private the palace has announced.

As a mother of a five-month-old baby it is unlikely the Duchess will be revelling into the small hours, but at least this year she will be able to indulge in a glass or two off champagne on her big day, having been pregnant on her last birthday. 

Though it is not known what the Duchess will be doing to mark her first birthday as a parent, it is likely the family-orientated royal will spend the day with husband William, who has just started a bespoke course at Cambridge University, at their Kensington Palace apartment.

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A truly momentous year: This year will doubtless be etched forever into Kate and William's memory as both became parents for the first time on July 22

A truly momentous year: This year will doubtless be etched forever into Kate and William's memory as both became parents for the first time on July 22

The Duchess of Cambridge carries Prince George after his christening at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury on October 23

The Duchess of Cambridge carries Prince George after his christening at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace by the Archbishop of Canterbury on October 23

The hands-on mother will also likely involve Prince George in any celebrations she chooses to have, though it is not yet known if Kate’s own parents, who she is very close to, will see their daughter today.

The past 12 months have been a life changing period for Kate who gave birth to Prince George in the summer.

Her baby son was christened in front of the Queen, Prince of Wales and other members of the immediate family in October and she has also begun to take on solo royal engagements this year.

 

But after such an eventful year, a simple romantic birthday meal at home could be on the cards for Kate who was born at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, on January 9 1982.

Kate and husband William recently moved into their Kensington Palace apartment and an intimate dinner could be held at the picturesque royal residence.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said that Kate would be spending her birthday 'privately'.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of SportsAid,  playing volleyball during her visit to the Copper Box at the former Olympic Park, in east London
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a Sportaid Athlete Workshop in what was her first solo engagement since the birth

The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of SportsAid,  playing volleyball during her visit to the Copper Box at the former Olympic Park, in east London, where her perfectly toned post-pregnancy stomach wowed the world

This is in keeping with the couple, who were careful to keep their relationship as private as possible when they were dating at St Andrews University in Scotland, before marrying in April 2011.

William began an agricultural management course at Cambridge University on Monday and may spend much of Kate's birthday studying at the famous university, or catching up on the long list of reading expected of Cambridge students.

The Duke is commuting a number of days a week to attend the course run by the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership.

William was admitted to the prestigious institution for a 'bespoke' course in agricultural management, which will prepare him for when he inherits the Duchy of Cornwall, one of the biggest private estates in the country, from his father.

The much-anticipated first official family portrait after the birth of Prince George, which, true to Kate's family orientated nature was snapped by her father

The much-anticipated first official family portrait after the birth of Prince George, which, true to Kate's family orientated nature was snapped by her father

Despite a jam packed year, Kate has stepped up to her royal duties, attending numerous charity events, such as meeting the Royal British Legion Poppy sellers in Kensington in November

Despite a jam packed year, Kate has stepped up to her royal duties, attending numerous charity events, such as meeting the Royal British Legion Poppy sellers in Kensington in November

Catherine wears 3D glasses before a screening of 'David Attenborough's Natural History Museum Alive 3D' at the Natural History Museum in London
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving for the Royal Film Performance of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, at the Odeon Leicester Square

Kate has had a fun filled year, attended premieres such as David Attenborough's Natural History Museum Alive, where she wore 3D glasses (left), as well as Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (right)

But while William has been preparing for his role as full time royal, his wife too has had a busy year 

As the Queen reduces the number of public engagements she attends, the younger royals, and Kate and Wills in particular, are increasingly stepping forward to fill the gaps.

The 87-year-old monarch conducted 341 official events this year, compared to 425 in 2012 - a drop of about 20 per cent.

Despite being pregnant for much of the year, Kate has managed to attend numerous events and premieres, finding time to support her chosen charities and support her husband.

Kate also stunned the public with springing back to shape astonishingly quickly after the birth of Prince George in July.

Prince William arrives for his first day to study Agricultural Management at University of Cambridge He will learn about the issues facing the UK's rural communities and the farming industry during the 10 week course

Prince William arrives for his first day to study Agricultural Management at University of Cambridge He will learn about the issues facing the UK's rural communities and the farming industry during the 10 week course

The Duchess' enviably flat stomach was revealed to the world when she played volleyball in Olympic Park for charity SportsAid in October.

It is understood the Duchess got back her trim figure through long walks with her dog, Lupo, and the odd burst on a rowing machine. She also took part in ante-natal yoga classes, which are believed to help new mothers regain their figure afterwards by ‘training’ their muscles to snap back into shape.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

I'm 50 today, so everybody is more than welcome to congratulate me. I'm spending the day at work before collecting my daughter from school and hanging out the washing.

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I think it is a fair bet that she won't be doing any royal engagements today, and for that matter she didn't yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that............................ I suppose all the cooking and cleaning for the family, looking after George and keeping the Kensington Palace Appartment spic and span fills her time like any other new mum, but then again they don't have an army of nannies, cooks and servants.

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Stepping up her royal duties. Right, instead of 10 a year, she's doing 11. Hardly classify what she is doing as stepping up to anything.

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Is this a marketing campaign to convince people that she works so hard? she leads a blessed life thanks to her parents and will never want for anything.

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No doubt she will celebrate in true style at the taxpayers expense like all the rest of them

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Cue the "oh she's so gorgeous" sycophant comments. When one click away on another article you are slating the benefits street people. Wake up DM simpletons! The royal family also live on benefits, the only difference is that they claim the MAJORITY of the benefits money in one family hence their opulent lifestyle. Also Kate etc view YOU the same way you view the benefits street people. To them you are the scum class! Also Wills etc are wealthy in their own right so surely they are benefits cheats too? Which multi-millionaire do you know apart from Wills has the right to claim FULL benefits for life?

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THAT volleyball game, don't you mean a volleyball game. This event hasn't gained any notoriety despite it being pushed by the DM.

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Have a day off love, put your feet up, let others run around after you and enjoy some free pampering......Oh hang on.

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At a lavish party funded by the tax payer perhaps?

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How will they celebrate? They'll probably have another baby. They already have an heir - now they need a spare.

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