Palace releases new portrait of Kate Middleton wearing recycled £130 jumper

Kensington Palace has released a striking new portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge to mark her 38th birthday, showing the the future Queen dressed down in jeans and a jumper. 

The image taken by Matt Porteous was released on the Kensington Royal Instagram page, with a message of thanks for those who have wishes the Duchess Happy Birthday. 

It’s believe to have been taken at Kate’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, in September 2018 and shows the Duchess looking relaxed in the countryside, wearing her £130 Fjallraven ‘Ovik’ Re-Wool Sweater and jeans. 

It is thought it was taken at the same time as a family photo that was shared as the Cambridge’s 2018 Christmas card. 

 

Kensington Palace has released a striking new portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge to mark her 38th birthday, showing the the future Queen dressed down in jeans and a jumper

The photo was shared with a simple message: ‘Thank you everyone for all your lovely messages on The Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday!’

Members of the Royal Family have shared their well-wishes to the Duchess amid fan fears that the event would be overshadowed by the announcement by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 

The Royal Family Instagram account, which is run by the Queen’s staff at Buckingham Palace, posted a series of photos of the monarch with the Duchess. 

Clarence House, run by the household of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, shared a similar tribute, including photos of Kate with both Charles and Camilla. 

The Royal Family Instagram account, which is run by the Queen’s staff at Buckingham Palace, posted a series of photos of the monarch with the Duchess

Clarence House, run by the household of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, shared a similar tribute, including photos of Kate with both Charles and Camilla

It comes as royal fans were left reeling after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their announcement on the eve of the Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday – joking it is ‘quite the present’. 

Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, last night announced they will be stepping back as ‘senior royals’, will split their time between the UK and North America and will walk away from Royal funds in order to become ‘financially independent.’

However some royal watchers were struck by the timing of the statement, pointing out that it came on the eve of Kate’s 38th birthday today and saying it would ‘overshadow’ the Duchess’s celebrations. 

Royal fans were left reeling after Harry and Meghan (right in October 2019) made their announcement just hours before Kate’s birthday (left with Charlotte in September 2019)

Royal watchers were left confused over the timing of the statement – pointing out that it came on the eve of Kate’s 38th birthday today – and said it would ‘overshadow’ the celebrations

Others were hooked by the apparent drama, with one writing: ‘THEY QUIT THE FAMILY THE NIGHT BEFORE KATE’S BIRTHDAY I AM LIVING FOR THIS.’

Another tweeted: ‘Anyhow, let’s hope Kate’s birthday isn’t at all over shadowed today,’ with a crying laughing emoji. 

A third added: ‘They chose to make the announcement hit the press on Kate’s birthday! Lovely present from them to her.’ 

Others were hooked by the apparent drama of the situation and said they ‘couldn’t get over it’

Other royal watchers flooded Twitter and Instagram with well-wishes to the Duchess.  

Prince Harry and Meghan unveiled a slick new website just moments after announcing they were stepping back from royal duties.

Posts on the website, sussexroyal.com, detail the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s ‘new working model’, explaining how they intend to go forward in a ‘progressive new role’ following the announcement that they are quitting the royal family.  

They listed their new media relations policy, the future of their charities and also explained how they will be funded after claiming that they want to be financially independent. 

Harry and Meghan released this statement last night announcing their intentions to step down as senior royals