Kate's birthday: 35 moments to look forward to in 2017

Happy birthday Kate! As the Duchess of Cambridge turns 35 on Monday, we take a look at the 35 moments she can look forward to this year...

1. Pippa Middleton will tie the knot

Kate's younger sister will have her moment in the spotlight when she says "I do" to her fiancé James Matthews in May 2017. Unlike Prince William and Kate's high-profile royal wedding in 2011, Pippa's ceremony will be a private affair.

It will take place at St Marks' Church with the reception being held back at the Middleton's family home in Bucklebury, seven miles away. Kate will undoubtedly play a special role in the wedding, although it has yet to be confirmed.

2. Bridal shopping with Pippa

Just as Pippa supported her every step of the way in the months before her wedding, Kate will be showing the same kind of love for her younger sister. The most exciting pre-wedding moment will be Pippa's final dress fitting, when caring Kate will no doubt be moved to tears!

3. Pippa's hen do

Before marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate had a low-key hen night organised by her sister Pippa. The party took place at a friend's house and was attended by a small handful of friends and family.

For Pippa's hen do, it's likely that Kate will return the favour and play a part in organising her sister's 'last night of freedom', but it may not be a hugely raucous affair given Kate's position in the monarch.

HELLO!'s royal correspondent Emily Nash says: "Pippa has a lot more freedom to choose how she celebrates, but will be mindful of her sister's position and will no doubt want to keep any potential hen-do as private and discreet as possible."

Emily adds: "We know that she loves adventure and sport, so she might opt for some kind of activity weekend and could go overseas to ensure the group enjoys sunshine – or even snow. But with her party planning expertise, I'm sure she will make it an event to remember."

4. Preparing George and Charlotte for Auntie Pippa's wedding

It's not yet known what part Kate will play in her sister's wedding, but the Duchess isn't the only royal who will be involved. Her children Prince George and Princess Charlotte are expected to have starring roles – perhaps as a ring bearer and a flower girl? Kate and Pippa will no doubt have a lot of fun dressing up the young royals in their formal attire.

5. Princess Charlotte will start nursery

Princess Charlotte turns two in May, so it'll be time to start looking at nurseries; her older brother Prince George was two-and-a-half years old when he was enrolled. It's likely that Charlotte will follow suit and attend the local Westacre Montessori School in East Walton, near King's Lynn, like her brother.

6. Prince William's 35th birthday

Five months after Kate turns 35, her husband Prince William will also mark his milestone birthday. The couple usually celebrate in private with their children George and Charlotte, and close family friends. Perhaps this year William and Kate will enjoy a low-key date night?

7. Prince George will start school

Having attended the local Westacre Montessori School in East Walton, near King's Lynn, for the past year, Prince George will soon be marking the next milestone – starting school. The young boy may attend a local primary school in London, close to the family's Kensington Palace base.

8. Prince George's first report

With his first term at school comes his first report. Like every proud parent, Kate will treasure her son's first report for years to come.

9. Planning a family holiday – or two

Kate and William typically join the Middletons for an annual winter break in Mustique at the start of the year. However in 2016 the Cambridges skipped the holiday and chose to embark on their first ski break with their children George and Charlotte.

The young tots had never seen snow before and loved every minute of the Alpine holiday – could William and Kate be planning a similar getaway?

The family are likely to go on a short summer holiday too. Last year they returned to France, this time to a resort near Biarritz.

10. Is a royal tour on the cards?

In 2016 William and Kate carried out two royal tours, the first to India and Bhutan in the spring and the second to Canada in the autumn. While it hasn't yet been announced, it's likely that the royals will embark on some kind of tour or short overseas visit as they do most years. New York, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia are just some of the places the couple have visited in a royal capacity.

11. Celebrating Mother's Day

Mother's Day will be a precious time for mum-of-two Kate. It's likely that the family will mark the day quietly at Anmer Hall, or perhaps visit the Middleton family home in Berkshire so Kate can also spend time with her own mother Carole.

12. Prince George and Princess Charlotte's birthdays

Kate will make some more special memories as she celebrates Princess Charlotte's second birthday and Prince George's fourth birthday this year. It is expected that the family will host intimate parties with close family members, friends and godparents, perhaps at their country home Anmer Hall.

William and Kate, who are inundated with gifts and cards from the public, will want to celebrate with their fans too; the couple usually release official portraits of their growing children.

13. Supporting Heads Together at the London Marathon

Each year Prince Harry cheers on runners at the London Marathon in his capacity as Patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust.

Prince William and Kate do not usually attend, but the couple may join Harry in making a special appearance next April; their mental health campaign Heads Together has been named the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Charity of the Year.

Harry has previously joked that his brother William and sister-in-law Kate should compete one year!

14. Prince William and Kate's 6th wedding anniversary

William and Kate will celebrate their wedding anniversary on 29 April, marking six years to the day since they tied the knot in front of an audience of millions around the world.

While the royal couple marked their fourth wedding anniversary by returning to Buckingham Palace with their son George for swimming lessons, it is not yet known how they will choose to celebrate in 2017.

15. Attending the Chelsea Flower Show

The Queen religiously attends the Chelsea Flower Show each year with members of the royal family, but it wasn't until 2016 that Kate made her debut with Prince William. The Duchess made a sunny appearance, stopping to admire the Princess Charlotte chrysanthemum which was especially named after her daughter. Will Kate be making a return to one of the quintessentially British events of the year?

16. St Patrick's Day Parade

Kate has been a regular fixture at the annual St Patrick's Day parade over the past few years, but in 2016 she missed the engagement. Royal watchers are therefore hoping that she'll attend 2017's event to hand out shamrocks to guardsmen at Mons Barrocks, Aldershot, where William is the colonel of the regiment.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson explained Kate's absence, saying: "The Duchess has very much enjoyed the occasions when she has been able to attend, but the Duke is the Colonel of the Regiment and is looking forward to presenting the Irish Guards with their Shamrock. She won't do it every year but the Duchess looks forward to marking St Patrick's Day with the Irish Guards many times in the future."

17. Moving to London

It is thought that William and Kate are planning to make Kensington Palace their main residence in 2017. The couple and their two children currently primarily live at Anmer Hall, a Georgian house located on the Queen's Sandringham Estate which was gifted to the couple by the monarch as a wedding gift.

But in March, Prince William's two-year piloting contract will come to an end, giving the family the chance to make Kensington Palace's 20-room Apartment 1A their primary home.

18. Trooping the Colour

Last year Princess Charlotte made her debut at Trooping the Colour, joining her family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday. Charlotte and her brother George are once again likely to make a special appearance come June.

19. Father's Day Polo match

The charity polo match that William takes part in every year, on or around Father's Day, always makes for great memories. In past years, Kate has been pictured running around and playing with George, when the mother-son duo haven't been cheering on the future King.

20. Having Centre Court seats at Wimbledon

Sporty Kate is never one to miss Wimbledon. And since she's now the new Patron of the All England Club, the Duchess, who counts tennis, sailing, hockey and skiing as some of her favourite sports, has even more reason to attend the annual south London tournament. In the past she has cheered Britain's Andy Murray to victory from her Centre Court seat.

21. Making waves at the America's Cup World Series

With her passion for sailing, Kate will be excited about the 2017 America's Cup World Series. Since it's being in Bermuda this year, it might be a little far to visit, but the Duchess has attended the event before as royal patron of the 1851 Trust – an organisation that hopes to inspire future sailors so we wouldn't be surprised to see her visiting the team in Portsmouth before they leave.

Kate, who crewed a yacht on a round-the-world trip during her gap year, and Prince William were due to watch last year's races in July but because of poor weather, the races were postponed. They remained in high spirits though, as they still had the chance to catch up with Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie.

22. Is a royal engagement imminent?

The royal family could be celebrating an engagement in 2017. Bets are on that Prince Harry could propose to his new girlfriend Meghan Markle, who he is head over heels in love with.

His cousin Princess Eugenie is also tipped to take the plunge with her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank.

23. Marking Princess Diana's 20th anniversary

This year marks the 20th anniversary since Princess Diana was tragically killed. Her sons Prince William and Prince Harry are finalising plans to celebrate their late mother's life, and Kate will no doubt show her support.

A new garden – a temporary White Garden – is being built in Kensington Palace, while a new fashion exhibition, Diana: Her Fashion Story, will also be opened to the public in February.

24. Supporting Prince Harry's Invictus Games

As Prince Harry prepares to stage his Invictus Games competition in Toronto for the first time in September, he will undoubtedly have the full backing of his brother and sister-in-law.

Whether William and Harry will fly to Canada to attend the Games is unknown, but Harry can count on their support, much like he did when William attended the opening ceremony of the inaugural event in September 2014.

If they do decide to fly to Toronto, they will have the chance to bond with Harry's actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, who is based in the city for her show, Suits.

25. Kate's show-stopping appearances in bespoke gowns and tiaras

She is one of the most photographed women in the world so it's no wonder that designers scramble to dress Kate. The stylish Duchess is often seen out and about in Emilia Wickstead, Alexander McQueen, Erdem and LK Bennett, but her go-to designer is Jenny Packham.

Kate favours the British label above all and often has bespoke Jenny Packham gowns especially made for her. At the annual Diplomatic Reception in December, Kate dazzled in a red previously-worn Jenny Packham gown, which she topped off with the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara. Let's hope 2017 brings another occasion for the Duchess to don a tiara!

26. Raising awareness for World Mental Health Day

Tuesday 10 October marks World Mental Health Day. Kate has long been championing the issue of mental health in children and young people through her charities, and in the past has recorded a special video for Children's Mental Health Week.

"Both William and I sincerely believe that early action can prevent problems in childhood from turning into larger ones later in life," she said. Kate added that more help and support needs to be given to children who have problems, and the social stigma around mental health be lifted. It wouldn't come as a surprise if Kate released another video or statement reaffirming her beliefs.

27. Honouring the fallen

November marks a symbolic time for the royal family. The Queen leads the family in commemorating Remembrance day with a series of events, and Kate is usually involved in at least one. She usually joins other senior royals at the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph, where she watches the sombre proceedings from the palace balcony.

28. Attending the Royal Variety Performance

The Royal Variety Show has been a highlight in the royal family's calendar since 1912. Each year different senior royals take it in turn to attend the star-studded event. Prince William and Kate haven't had a seat since 2014– will they be guests of honour in 2017?

29. An inspirational night with some of the brightest women

As patron of the 100 Women in Hedge Funds' Philanthropic Initiatives, Kate attends the 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala Dinner every year. It's an evening of glitz and glamour, as well as a focus on philanthropy. Each year the non-profit organisation chooses a charity to support, so Kate will no doubt be pleased if one of her charities is selected.

30. Gracing the red carpet at a big premiere

It's not often that royals grace the red carpet, but usually at least once a year Kate steps out to attend a big blockbuster. The Duchess has dazzled at the premiere of Spectre, the much-awaited James Bond movie, and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, where she joined her husband Prince William. Last year she made a solo appearance at A Street Cat Named Bob, where she met the friendly ginger feline herself.

31. Kate to add to her list of patronages

Ever since becoming a member of the royal family, Kate has supported organisations that reflect her personal charitable and philanthropic interests. She does this though her own charity, The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, and by supporting other charities as their royal patron.

She has 12 patronages so far, many of which focus on children, young people and sports, but it's likely that she will add to her philanthropic base this year.

32. Could James Middleton pop the question?

Is another Middleton wedding on the cards? Following on from Pippa's nuptials in May, her brother James may follow suit and ask the all-important to his girlfriend Donna Air. The couple have been together for four years and James recently admitted: "We are thinking about where we are going next. Marriage is absolutely not something I'm scared of [but it] isn't necessarily the be all and end all. She makes me very happy [and] I think I make her very happy. I want children. I've said that before. I will have children, but you'll have to wait."

33. James Middleton's 30th birthday

There's another important birthday in the family! Kate's younger brother James turns 30 in April, just a couple of weeks before William and Kate's wedding anniversary. The entrepreneur will most likely celebrate in private with his girlfriend Donna Air and his close friends and family.

34. Prince George's first school nativity

At the end of his first term at school, George will join other children in the school nativity play. A shepherd, Joseph, one of the three Wise Men – which character will George play?

35. Spending Christmas with the royal family

Last Christmas, the Cambridges decamped to Berkshire to spend the holidays with Kate's side of the family. It was the second time William and Kate had done so since they married in 2011, and because they alternate, the Cambridges are expected to celebrate this Christmas at Sandringham with the Queen. Who knows, Prince George may even attend his first Christmas Day service.