“KATE & WILLIAM’S SWEET TRIBUTE TO QUEEN CAMILLA MELTED ROYAL FANS’ HEARTS.” 👑💙🎂 — THE ROYAL FAMILY CAME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE HER SPECIAL DAY Queen Camilla marked her 79th birthday with warm tributes from across the royal family, including a heartfelt message from Prince William and Princess Kate, who wished Her Majesty a “very Happy Birthday” while sharing her newly released portrait. Buckingham Palace also celebrated the occasion by announcing Camilla’s renewed commitment to children’s literacy, highlighting a meaningful initiative that will bring books to thousands of young readers across the U.K. The touching celebration comes during a memorable summer for the royal family, making this year’s birthday even more special.

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Kate Middleton and Prince William Lead Tributes to Queen Camilla on Her 79th Birthday

The royal family is honoring Queen Camilla as she celebrates her birthday on Friday, July 17

In this image released on July 17, 2026 Queen Camilla poses for a portrait to mark her birthday at Hillsborough Castle on May 20, 2026 in Hillsborough, United Kingdom; Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales receive President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at the Fairmont Windsor Park hotel in Englefield Green, on day one of their state visit to the UK, on March 18, 2026 in Windsor, England.
Queen Camilla; Kate Middleton and Prince William.Credit : Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Buckingham Palace; Yui Mok – Pool/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • Queen Camilla celebrates her 79th birthday on Friday, July 17
  • Kate Middleton and Prince William led tributes to Queen Camilla on social media
  • Buckingham Palace marked the occasion with a new portrait and announced her renewed commitment to supporting children’s literacy

Queen Camilla is being honored on her 79th birthday!

On Friday, July 17, Prince William and Kate Middleton kicked off tributes to Camilla by reposting the new portrait of her released by Buckingham Palace alongside a sweet message on their Instagram Stories.

“Wishing her majesty The Queen a very Happy Birthday! 🎂,” the couple wrote.

Buckingham Palace’s new portrait shows Queen Camilla in a bright blue dress with a diamond and sapphire butterfly brooch.

Queen Camilla poses for a portrait to mark her birthday at Hillsborough Castle
Queen Camilla poses for a portrait to mark her birthday at Hillsborough Castle.Chris Jackson/Getty for Buckingham Palace

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The Royal Family announced on Instagram that she marked her birthday by renewing her “commitment to supporting children’s literacy.”

Queen Camilla will be gifting U.K. children in year six with a “special edition” of the bestselling book Impossible Creatures by award-winning author Katherine Rundell this Christmas.

The Royal Family also posted a photo showing Queen Camilla opening a door with the caption: “Thank you for all the kind wishes on Her Majesty’s 79th birthday! 💙🎈.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland, King Charles III and Queen Camilla watch the Red Arrows flypast at Holyroodhouse following a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication to the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at St Giles' Cathedral on July 5, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland
The Prince and Princess of Wales alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2023.Lesley Martin – Pool/Getty

It’s been a busy summer for the royal family, ahead of their traditional getaway to Balmoral in Scotland, from Trooping the Colour to the Royal Ascot to Wimbledon.

Last week also marked a long-awaited reunion between King Charles and Prince Harry.

Harry, his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, reunited with his father, King Charles, at Highgrove House on July 10. Buckingham Palace confirmed that Queen Camilla was also present for the private family meeting, which marked the first time in four years that King Charles had seen Meghan and his California-based grandchildren.

“She is a non-negotiable part of Charles’ life,” royal author Catherine Mayer told PEOPLE in an exclusive cover story on the reunion. “There is no reconciliation with him without her.”

King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet people on the final day of the state visit, on April 30, 2026
King Charles and Queen Camilla greet onlookers on the final day of their U.S. state visit, on April 30, 2026.Matt Rourke – Pool/Getty

The palace has stated that there will be no photos or details released about the family reunion and what was discussed.

“It is better that people don’t know anything about these meetings,” said a source close to the family. “They should be allowed to rekindle those family ties.”

Hosting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s family at Highgrove was a meaningful choice for the King and Queen. After an explosive back and forth between the two parties about security arrangements and accommodations, the country retreat offered a quiet and private setting for the family to reunite.

SOURCE: PEOPLE