Kate Middleton was given a special honor to mark her 44th birthday, as Westminster Abbey rang its bells in celebration of the occasion.
A Rare Tribute at Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales had her birthday acknowledged with a ceremonial peal of bells at Westminster Abbey in London, an honor that has become increasingly uncommon in recent years.
The Abbey, where Kate married Prince William in 2011, shared a video showing the bells ringing at 1:00 p.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 9.
“The Abbey bells are ringing out to celebrate the birthday of HRH The Princess of Wales,” the post read. “Our bell ringers are ringing 344 changes of Erin Caters followed by 544 changes of Spliced Surprise Royal.”
A Tradition Scaled Back in Recent Years
Westminster Abbey was once known for regularly ringing its bells to celebrate the birthdays of many members of the royal family. However, this long-standing tradition was scaled back following financial challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before 2020, the bells marked the birthdays of 12 royals, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and their four children — now-King Charles, Princess Anne, the former Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Charles’ wife, now-Queen Camilla, was also included, along with Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Changes to the Bell-Ringing Schedule
When the Abbey released its bell-ringing schedule for 2022, it revealed that only Queen Elizabeth and Charles would continue to have their birthdays marked. Following the Queen’s death and Charles’ accession to the throne, William and Kate were reinstated the following year as the new Prince and Princess of Wales.
At present, the Abbey’s official website lists the bell-ringing schedule for the first half of the year. Alongside Kate’s birthday, King Charles’ official birthday will be celebrated in June, as will Prince William’s 44th birthday later that same month.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, is also set to have his 69th birthday marked with a bell ringing on June 10.
Why Westminster Abbey Matters to Kate
Westminster Abbey holds deep significance for the royal family, but it has particular meaning for the Princess of Wales. Beyond serving as the venue for her wedding, it is also where she hosts her annual “Together at Christmas” carol service.