Prince William celebrates 43rd birthday with touching photo and beloved dog
Kensington Palace released a heartwarming photo of the Prince of Wales petting Orla’s puppy; the picture was taken by Princess Catherine in Windsor.
Photo: @KensingtonRoyal / X
The Prince of Wales, William, marked his 43rd birthday by posting a personal photo on the palace’s official social media, taken by Princess Catherine earlier in June in Windsor Park.
In the image, the heir to the throne gently strokes one of cocker spaniel Orla’s puppies, while Orla herself watches closely nearby.
Orla has been part of the royal household since 2020, following the death of their previous dog, Lupo. The puppies were born in May, and this is their first public appearance. The decision to share an online post only is a notable contrast to last year’s celebration, when William took his older children to a Taylor Swift concert at Wembley.
On the eve of his birthday, the prince joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Royal Ascot races, and the next day visited an eco-tech lab in Norwich with actress Cate Blanchett — the lab belongs to Colorifix, a finalist of the Earthshot Prize.
Kate Middleton, despite initial announcements and her inclusion in the official guest list, did not attend Royal Ascot, prompting public speculation. Palace representatives clarified that her absence was due to balancing recovery after illness with public duties, putting rumors to rest.
Despite a tight schedule and his wife’s ongoing treatment, the birthday celebrant made time to share a rare personal moment.