Due to financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kate Middleton will reportedly no longer be honored with a significant royal tradition.
The longstanding tradition of ringing the Westminster bell to commemorate important royal birthdays has been observed for Her Majesty's children, including Prince Andrew, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children.
As Kate Middleton approaches her 40th birthday, her plans have not been disclosed yet. However, last year, the Cambridges spent the day privately at their Norfolk home, where Prince William organized a tea party to celebrate Kate. This year, Metro suggests that the Duchess might miss the customary chimes of Westminster Abbey due to financial constraints imposed by the government, as the Abbey's bells have remained silent since April 2020.
A representative from Westminster Abbey has confirmed this development. It is now alleged that neither the Cambridges nor Camilla Parker Bowles will be included in the list of royals honored by this tradition, with the bells only ringing for the Queen and the Prince of Wales.
In an interview with the Magazine, the representative stated, "The Abbey bells can be heard ringing out before services and in celebration of church festivals. The bells have also traditionally been rung to mark the birthdays of senior members of the Royal Family. Due to the financial challenges posed to the Abbey by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in consultation with Buckingham Palace, the bells will now ring only for the birthdays of HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales."
While Meghan Markle recently celebrated her 40th birthday with close friends and family, anticipation builds for Kate Middleton's milestone birthday next year.
Consequently, the next senior royal to be honored with the bell ringing will be Prince Charles, who turns 73 in November.
