As well as presents, the King will likely have ‘a private dinner’

Princess Kate is set to celebrate her 44th birthday on January 9, with a former royal butler suggesting she could receive “a hand-me-down” present from King Charles.

Grant Harrold explained what usually happens at royal birthday parties and which gifts might be handed out.

“All royal birthdays are celebrated in some shape and form, even if the birthdays aren’t big celebrations,” Mr Harrold told Heart Bingo.

He continued: “When I worked for the King, he would certainly have a private dinner. It wouldn’t be a big family gathering; it’d just be a private dinner.

The King could give his daughter-in-law ‘a hand-me-down’ gift. | PA

“I can almost guarantee that the King will still host a birthday party for his daughter-in-law. It’s possible that it will be on the actual day of the birthday, unless William’s got something private arranged.

“There’ll be a celebration, and food-wise, she will be eating some of the things that she likes.”

In terms of what presents could be given to the Princess of Wales, the former royal butler shared that the Royal Family are quite keen to hand a jokey type of gift.

Mr Harrold said: “You might get something a little bit silly because the royals like to give silly presents.

The Princess of Wales turns 44 on January 9

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“There are a couple of options for presents from William. It could either be something jewellery-based, or it could be something that she needs for the home, or it could be a mixture of both.”

The former royal butler suggested that the King could give “a hand-me-down from his mother”.

He continued: “It could be something from his private collection of things that he likes to give family members… things that are sentimental to him.

“When he was Prince of Wales, he would give things that had the insignia on them, depending on who it was.

Mr Harrold gave an insight into the palace.

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“It’s possible that he could do something like that. Or it might be something he’s advised from the Royal Collection.”

Other options include family heirlooms, several of which do “personally belong to the King,” even though he may not “personally own” them.

Mr Harrold added: “They’re in the Royal Collection, [so] he could still give something that remains in the Royal Collection.”

Prince William will be celebrating with his wife after reminiscing about the previous year, showcasing a series of photographs and videos.

side from a hand-me-down, the King could present Kate with a family heirloom.

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The couple’s first photo featured their three children, Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis at Trooping the Colour in June.

Footage was included from the event, as was the Princess of Wales’s Spring video from May.

William’s trip to Rio for Cop30 and the Earthshot Prize Awards encompassed a photo of the future king in front of Christ the Redeemer, reminiscent of his mother.

Another picture showed Kate and Louis smiling at the Together at Christmas Carol Concert, which was broadcast on Christmas Eve.