How Kate Middleton Is Celebrating Duchess Sophie’s 60th Birthday

Kate Middleton found a mentor in Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh when she was first welcomed into the royal fold, but their warm working relationship has developed into an even closer sisterly bond amid Kate’s cancer battle. From watching Kate’s kids while she recovered from chemotherapy to her touching show of support at their joint 2024 Remembrance Day appearance, Sophie has shown that she’s firmly in Kate’s corner. And according to sources, Kate will be showing her support right back as she attends a black-tie party for the Duchess of Edinburgh’s 60th birthday. 

It’s a milestone birthday for Duchess Sophie, who officially rang in the special day on January 20 with a little more pomp and circumstance than usual, courtesy of an official new portrait and plans for a major birthday celebration at their Berkshire home Bagshot Park. 

Despite its considerable size and “very grand” appearance–the Windsor-area estate boasts 120 rooms, per the publication–it’s rarely been used by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh for entertaining. Neither Sophie or her husband, Prince Edward, are “big party animals,” an inside source tells The Sun, but they’ll be making an exception for Sophie’s 60th with a “black-tie bash to which all members of the Royal Family have been invited.”

According to The Sun, senior royals like Kate, Prince William, King Charles, and Queen Camilla are set to attend the festivities. It’s unknown whether Prince Edward’s brother Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, or Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will also be there, but the Duchess of Edinburgh’s family (including her two kids) and iconic composer Andrew Lloyd Webber also scored an invite to the glamorous dinner-dance.

While Kate has been easing into her new normal amid her cancer recession, it’s no surprise that she’ll be in full celebration mode for Sophie, whom she reportedly views as a “royal sister.”

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward previously told Hello! that the two royals “have a sisterly bond,” calling Sophie “the older sister Kate never had.” With Sophie showing her support by stepping in for royal duties amid Kate and King Charles’s health issues, she’s also reportedly viewed as “the royal family’s secret weapon” by Prince William and could have a big year ahead of her.

Royal expert Jennie Bond told The Mirror that it’s likely that Prince William has plans to give his aunt a “major role” in the future. “Sophie has proved herself to be a major asset to the Royal Family, and William would be foolish to ignore the value she brings,” she said, citing Sophie as the four hardest working royal. 

“She has worked below the radar for many years, neither expecting nor receiving the publicity she deserves,” the expert continued. “Recently though, with the slimmed down Royal Family, the public have come to recognize how important the Duchess is to the work of the monarchy.”