Kate Middleton is celebrating her final birthday as a commoner - with less than four months to go before she marries Prince William.
The former accessories buyer for fashion chain Jigsaw is expected to keep her 29th birthday celebrations low key with family and friends as she focuses all her attention on finalising details for her and fiance William's big day on April 29.
Royal spokespeople would not release what the plans were to mark Miss Middleton's birthday - simply saying she would be spending it "privately".
The bride-to-be is about to enter an extremely busy party season ahead of her nuptials. So for this reason, she might prefer quieter celebrations with her parents and siblings, James and Philippa, said one royal commentator.
Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty magazine, said: "There are a lot of parties coming up so she might just want some really, really close friends and family with her - or it could be just her and William.
"I would think no woman looks forward to being 29 and getting close to 30. It's not the biggest birthday celebration.
"If I was her mum, I would be giving her a really lovely dinner party, something really beautiful with her brother and sister there. She will probably want to keep a low profile because the rest of her life will be high profile."
On Saturday Prince William and his future bride attended the wedding of friends near Harrogate in Yorkshire, in what some commentators have labelled a "dress rehearsal" for their own ceremony. Miss Middleton wore a black dress and hat to the service at St Andrew's Church in Aldborough, where friends Harry Aubrey-Fletcher and Louise Stourton tied the knot.
It is not known what surprises Prince William has up his sleeve as a present for his betrothed. But Miss Middleton will be keen to take slightly better care of gifts that she received for her last birthday.
It was reported that for her 28th birthday, the Prince bought her a pair of pearl earrings. Miss Middleton's pet cocker spaniel, Otto, ate them.
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