The next 12 months look set to be very significant for Kate Middleton with two major milestone birthdays to celebrate within the Cambridge family and the other exciting plans in the works

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Kate Middleton: We’ve realised how much we need each other

The Duchess of Cambridge had many memorable moments in 2021 from wowing with her piano playing to dazzling at the James Bond premiere.

And it seems 2022 will be filled with other standout occasions and landmark events.

In terms of her working life, the next 12 months are set to be huge with more royal duties to carry out – especially in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

While in her personal life, Kate has several big family birthdays to look forward to as well as a major milestone for one of her three children.

Here we take a look at what 2022 could have in store for her…

Her 40th birthday

The first big event of 2022 for Kate will come just over a week into the new year on January 9, when she celebrates her 40th birthday.

Last year Kate spent her big day in lockdown with husband Prince William and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

William reportedly hosted a tea party for the family of five at their country home on the Sandringham estate.

This year, despite the milestone age, any celebrations are expected to be “low-key” with Kate reportedly not wanting anything flashy for the big birthday.

Kensington Palace is expected to release a new photo of the mum-of-three to mark the occasion.

A source told the Mail on Sunday : “There are likely to be low-key celebrations for the Duchess. She didn’t want anything flashy anyway – that’s not exactly her thing – but particularly given the current climate anything is likely to be scaled down.”

A royal tour?

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It’s been nearly two years since Kate and William embarked on a major royal tour abroad as Covid restrictions made travel more tricky.

In fact, their youngest son Prince Louis, who turns four in April, is yet to have been taken on a royal tour.

So there’s a lot of speculation that the couple will go on tour again this year, possibly with their children, if travel rules allow.

But where could they be headed?

Many are tipping a US trip to be on the cards as William’s Earthshot Prize awards ceremony heads to the States next year or travel to a Commonwealth country such as Canada or Australia.

Royal editor Russell Myers told the Mirror’s Pod Save The Queen podcast : “I definitely think we will see them [the Cambridges] do something as a family together.

“I can’t imagine that William and Kate would want to leave the children at home for let’s say 10 days to two weeks.

“So if they are to go on tour, it is a distinct possibility we might see them all together and the added benefit of it being the Platinum Jubilee year, when all focus will be on celebrating the Queen, I think it is good to have the Cambridges out there as a family as well.”

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Not only is 2022 shaping up to be a busy year for Kate – it is also a huge year for all members of the Royal Family.

That’s because they will all be helping the Queen celebrate her Platinum Jubilee for being on the throne for 70 years.

The bulk of the celebrations will take place over the bumper four-day bank holiday in early June – and as the future Queen, it’s fair to say Kate will take a major role in the celebrations to support Her Majesty.

Reunion with the Sussexes?

Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals in 2020, Kate has barely seen her brother and sister-in-law.

A growing rift between William and brother Harry means she’s only seen Harry once – at the funeral of Prince Philip – since he left the UK.

And she’s yet to reunite with Meghan or nephew Archie, who have not yet returned to the UK, and she hasn’t even met niece Lilibet, who was born in June in the US.

But with Harry and Meghan tipped to travel to the UK with their children to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee, could Kate be in for a reunion with the Sussexes then?

William’s 40th birthday

In June, William will join Kate in the 40 club when he celebrates his landmark birthday.
His falls just weeks after the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and there’s no doubt Kate will make some lovely plans and organise some great presents for her husband.

Louis starts school

September will see another major milestone for Kate in her personal life – and it could be quite emotional for her.

That’s because it’s likely that her youngest child Louis will join his older siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte at school.

George and Charlotte attend Thomas’s School in Battersea, south London, so it’s likely young Louis will join them there – and we could be treated to sweet photos and video as he enters school on his first day.

Royal duties

It goes without saying that Kate will be back carrying out many royal duties in 2022.

Apart from major events such as Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Sunday – no entries in the diary for 2022 have been made public.

However, it’s likely Kate will continue her work in the areas of mental health, early years development and tackling addiction.