Kate Middleton's 'discreet' royal friend who's 'worth her weight in gold'

The Royal Family are known all over the world by their long, official titles. But behind the formality and away from the glaring media spotlight, the royals are just like any other family. They share jokes, buy each other ridiculous presents and even have silly nicknames for one another.

Princess Charlotte might be the daughter of the future king of England, but the young royal enjoys as normal of a childhood as possible.

Two significant milestones approach the Prince and Princess of Wales in the next few days, with their son Prince Louis turning six today (23 April), just days before they mark their 13th wedding anniversary on 29 April. Sources have indicated that Prince William and Princess Kate intend to prioritise family life and celebrate these milestones in a traditional manner.

Prince Louis, the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is growing up quickly and celebrates his sixth birthday today (April 23). Despite making his public debut just hours after his birth on the steps of the Lindo Wing, he's largely been raised away from the public eye. He has, however, participated in several significant Royal events, including the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, King Charles' Coronation, and last year's Trooping the Colour.

Kate Middleton may be be the future Queen, but she always finds time to make her three children feel extra special on their birthdays. The Royal Family mark a very special date as Prince Louis turns six on April 23, and no doubt the Prince and Princess of Wales will make their youngest child feel like, well, a little prince on his big day.

A final photograph of the Queen with her great-grandchildren, taken by Kate Middleton, includes a secret tribute to a missing youngster. The Royal Family commemorated a poignant anniversary yesterday - what would have been the birthday of the late Queen.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are gearing up for a joyous occasion tomorrow as their youngest, Prince Louis, celebrates his sixth birthday. The royal youngster is sure to be showered with love from his family, including doting parents and siblings, as he marks this special milestone.

One rarely-seen Royal figure is said to have a net worth larger than Kate Middleton, Princess Anne and Prince Edward combined.

Prince William has vowed to "look after" his wife Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, during a heartwarming interaction with a Royal fan. His words were delivered during his first public outing since last month, when the 41 year old took time off to spend time with Kate and their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – over the school Easter break.The future King made his heartfelt promise after receiving two Get Well Soon cards, one for King Charles and another for Kate, during a Royal engagement today.

Prince William has returned to official public duties today, Thursday 18 April, for the first time since his wife, Kate Middleton, revealed her cancer diagnosis. The Prince of Wales is visiting a surplus food distribution charity – Surplus to Supper – in Surrey, where he will lend a hand in the kitchen and help load prepared meals into delivery vans. He will then travel to a youth centre in west London which benefits from the organisation’s deliveries.

Prince William will be returning to his public Royal duties "cautiously" as he leaves Kate Middleton for the first time since she revealed her cancer diagnosis. On Thursday, April 18, the Prince of Wales, 41, is scheduled to visit Surplus to Supper, a surplus food distribution charity in Surrey, where he will contribute in the kitchen and assist with loading prepared meals into delivery vans.

Carole Middleton, as his wife, Kate Middleton, and his father, King Charles, battle cancer.The Prince of Wales, 41, and Carole, 69, were spotted hitting up a pub in Norfolk, England, on April 11 and she also spent Easter with William and his family last month.According to royal expert Christopher Andersen, Carole has been a “a pillar of support for Kate” and she “has stepped up in a major way” as her daughter recovers. On March 22, the Duchess of Cambridge, 42, announced via a video statement that she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year following a planned abdominal surgery.“The King” author told Fox News recently that Carole has been pitching in with the Wales’ kids — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, — to help give them “a semblance of normality in their daily lives” as Kate undergoes chemotherapy.Carole has also been a great deal of support for William, as she “has been the closest thing to a mother [he] has.”William’s mother, Princess Diana, died in August 1997 at the age of 36 in a car crash when he was 15-years-old.“She has always been there for him as much as he has for Kate.

As the Princess of Wales continues to take time out of the spotlight to focus on her treatment for cancer, she has been spending a great deal of time at Anmer Hall in Norfolk. “Kate feels more at home in Norfolk,” a source told OK! “She’s got several close friends there.The Van Cutsems live nearby and so do Tom and Polly Coke [Cook].

Kate Middleton and Prince William are reportedly planning a secret home transformation, which is said to be crucial for her recovery process. The Royal pair are reported to be considering renovations and extensions to a lesser-known redbrick annexe next to their Adelaide Cottage residence in Windsor.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to be considering plans to renovate and extend a redbrick annexe next to their Adelaide Cottage home in Windsor.The family - who moved to the Berkshire estate towards the end of summer in 2022 - currently split their time between the four bedroom cottage and their beloved Anmer Hall retreat on the Sandringham Estate. While Adelaide Cottage provides the perfect location thanks to its proximity to Lambrook School where Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are students, sources say the family are looking at plans to extend a currently empty annexe to aid in the princess' recovery.This decision, however, is said to not be without complications as the source explains that the Prince of Wales is "conscious of public scrutiny" about royal spending habits and is taking a measured approach about how to personally cover the costs.

Prince William and Carole Middleton are staying close as they support Princess Catherine through her cancer battle.

—with many insisting she is the double of in the photograph.The Earl shared the image on his Instagram page this week, writing, "My first day of school, in September 1968: my father took this photograph of me and my sister, Diana, just before he drove us to Silfield, a really lovely primary school in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The headmistress was Miss Jean Lowe, a warm and thoughtful lady who loved her boys and girls…I was there till 1972, when I headed off to the place I call—in my memoir—A Very Private School."In the photograph, Diana can be seen standing next to Charles, the two dressed in matching red blazers, red ties and long gray socks.

Kate Middleton is making sure her kids still have fun with their grandad, King Charles. Even though Kate and the King both have health problems, they are staying strong together.

While The King and The Princess of Wales are both facing worrying health battles, they will perhaps find a small amount of solace by confiding in one another about what they are both going through.The pair share a very close bond and have often expressed their respect and admiration for one another.This relationship will surely act as a pillar of strength during this difficult time – as well as the light-hearted distraction provided by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. This special relationship between the King, his daughter-in-law and his Wales grandchildren will be hugely important at this time, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond notes.

Princess Catherine‘s kids are staying strong for their mom.