At a Glance
- Princess Kate marked her 44th birthday with a quiet lunch alongside Carole Middleton and Pippa Matthews
- The trio dined at The Funghi Club, a French bistro 17 miles from Kate’s childhood home
- Kate released the final Mother Nature video the same day, praising nature’s role in her recovery
- Why it matters: The low-key celebration signals Kate’s steady return to public life after cancer treatment
Princess Kate stepped out for an intimate birthday lunch with her mother and sister on Jan. 9, capping a week that saw her return to public duties and share a reflective video about healing in nature.
The Princess of Wales chose The Funghi Club, a cozy French bistro in Hungerford, Berkshire, for the family gathering. Carole Middleton, 70, and Pippa Matthews, 42, joined Kate for the midday meal less than 24 hours after Kate and Prince William surprised health workers at Charing Cross Hospital.
Birthday Bistro Details
The Funghi Club, which began as a mushroom stall, posted a discreet tribute on Facebook after the royal visit.
“None other than the Princess of Wales herself, Berkshire’s very own Kate Middleton, celebrating her 44th birthday, joined by her mother Carole and sister Pippa,” the restaurant wrote. Staff described Kate as “utterly charming, gracious and every bit as radiant in person as you’d imagine.”
Menu highlights at the bistro include:
- Onion soup
- Boeuf bourguignon
- Cassoulet
- Chicken chasseur
The post ended with a simple “Happy birthday” message and noted that “the jungle drums of Hungerford didn’t stop beating until well into Saturday.”
Public Return and Private Reflection
Kate’s birthday outing followed her first joint engagement of 2026. On Jan. 8, she and Prince William visited Charing Cross Hospital to thank staff coping with winter virus pressures.
Later that day, Kate released the final installment of her Mother Nature video series on social media. Speaking directly to camera, she emphasized the therapeutic power of the outdoors during her cancer recovery.
“I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am,” she said. “For the rivers within us flow with ease. Fears washed away, cleanse and purify. Come to peace with our tears, and discover what it means to be alive.”
She added: “To be at one with nature. A quiet teacher and a soft voice that guides. In memory, helping us to heal.”
Family Focus
While Kate’s lunch with her mother and sister was confirmed, plans with Prince William and their three children-Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7-were not disclosed. The children most likely celebrated with their mother after school, according to News Of Losangeles.
The upcoming week will bring Kate’s first solo engagement of the year. On Jan. 15, she is scheduled to host the England women’s rugby squad at Windsor Castle, marking another step in her gradual return to full-time royal duties.
Key Takeaways
- Kate’s 44th birthday blended private family time with public messaging about wellness
- The choice of a local bistro near her childhood home underscores her preference for low-key celebrations
- Her Mother Nature video series concludes as she resumes a fuller schedule
- The Jan. 15 rugby reception will test her stamina for solo engagements
