No major celebration for Kate at 30

The Duchess of Cambridge met with well-wishers prior to the film's showing

On the eve of her 30th birthday, Kate attended the War Horse premiere with husband Prince William in London's Leicester Square

The Duchess of Cambridge is marking her 30th birthday with a low-key event

Published: 12:13pm, 6th January 2012
Updated: 2:20pm, 9th January 2012

The Duchess of Cambridge is celebrating her 30th birthday with a "low-key and private" event.

Kate has reached the milestone after a momentous year that has seen her marry royalty, embark on her first official overseas tour and take on several patronages.

But she is not expected to have a lavish party to mark the occasion.

There had been reports that Prince Harry was planning a big bash for his sister-in-law, but a St James's Palace spokesman gave a brief statement saying: "Whatever is planned will be low-key and private."

It is thought Kate will spend her birthday with William and close family and friends.

William, an RAF search and rescue helicopter co-pilot, is rostered to work this week from his base at RAF Valley in Anglesey, so that may have also influenced the couple's decision to have a quiet celebration.

But on Sunday night, the couple attended the glamorous black tie premiere of War Horse in London's Leicester Square.

Michael Morpurgo, the author of the book that inspired the film, led the birthday wishes and said he would send the Duchess a copy of the novel as a gift.

Turning 30 will cap a life-changing 12 months for the new royal, who married her fiance on April 29 last year in a glittering Westminster Abbey ceremony in front of a television audience of billions.

After honeymooning in the Seychelles, the newlyweds toured Canada and California last summer, where they received a rapturous welcome. And last week it was announced that the Duchess had agreed to support four charitable organisations.