The Princess of Wales will hit a significant milestone within days and a royal expert claims it will be quite special this time.

Princess Kate and Prince Harry with Meghan Markle

Princess Kate will turn 43 next week (Image: Getty)

The Princess of Wales is set to hit a major milestone next week after being “overshadowed” by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in previous years, a royal commentator has claimed.

Princess Kate will celebrate her 43rd birthday on January 9, after what has been a challenging year for the royal, who was diagnosed with a type of cancer last March following a major abdominal surgery the previous January.

According to royal commentator Jennie Bond, the future Queen’s previous birthdays have been overshadowed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bombshells.

But she claimed this coming birthday is going to be “memorable in so many ways” for the princess as it will mark the start of a “new and hopefully happier year.”

Ms Bond told OK!: “I’m sure Catherine’s new perspective on everything will include her own birthday.

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Princess Kate was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year (Image: Getty)

“As a healthy young woman, her forties would normally have held no fear for her. But her past few birthdays have all been rather overshadowed by events: Harry and Meghan announcing they were stepping back from royal duties on 8 January, 2020, then Harry releasing his book, Spare, on 10 January, 2023.”

She added: “And this time last year, the Princess must have been anxious – and probably in pain – as she geared up for her planned abdominal surgery which took place a few days after her 42nd birthday.

“That, of course, was followed by the shock of her cancer diagnosis, so this will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate.”

The royal expert also claimed that, despite some women finding the prospect of turning 43 “daunting”, Kate will find each one of her birthdays a “cause for grateful celebration”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit - Day 4

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made various headlines during January in previous years (Image: Getty)

She explained: “This birthday is going to be memorable in so many ways – it will mark the start of a new and hopefully happier year, and the end of one that has been brutal for the whole family.

“While some women might find the prospect of turning 43 a bit daunting, Catherine will, I am sure, be delighted that she is able to enjoy her birthday in comparatively good health, though, of course, she is still recovering.

“Every day must now be extra precious for the Princess, and every birthday a cause for grateful celebration.”