King Charles wishes 'beloved' Kate Middleton happy birthday amid Prince Andrew's Epstein drama

King Charles wishes 'beloved' Kate Middleton happy birthday amid Prince Andrew's Epstein drama

Prince Andrew the Duke of York stepped back from royal duties in 2019

King Charles III is shining a spotlight on his "beloved daughter-in-law" amid a royal scandal rocking Buckingham Palace.

The Princess of Wales, who is celebrating her 42nd birthday on Tuesday, received a heartfelt birthday message from the king and his wife Queen Camilla on social media. The British royal family’s official Instagram and X accounts posted a photo of the Princess of Wales from the coronation in May.

The photo, which was taken by Chris Jackson of Getty Images, showed the mother of three with the king and queen during a behind-the-scenes moment.

"Wishing The Princess of Wales a very happy birthday today!" the caption read.

This is not the first time the king and queen paid tribute to the princess on her birthday. Last year, they shared another heartfelt photo of the royal visiting Wales with William, 41, after they were named the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2022. 

The couple received their new titles after Queen Elizabeth II's death. Britain's longest-reigning monarch died in September 2022 at age 96.

The princess is expected to spend the day privately, People magazine reported. According to the outlet, London’s Westminster Abbey, where the Prince and Princess of Wales married in 2011, will ring their bells in honor of the royal’s birthday.

Charles is known to be very fond of Middleton. During his state visit to Kenya in October, the monarch recalled how William proposed to Middleton in the country in 2010. He called her "my beloved daughter-in-law" at his address.

Middleton is also known for showing affection towards the 75-year-old. During public engagements, the pair exchange hugs and kisses on the cheek.

Amid all the warm wishes for the princess, the palace has been faced with an "Andrew problem," as several royal watchers have labeled the ongoing drama.

Prince Andrew was named in previously secret court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that were unsealed in the new year.

Epstein, an American financier and convicted sex offender, was found dead behind bars in 2019 at age 66. The U.S. attorney in Manhattan prosecuted Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, 62, for helping recruit his underage victims. She was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison term.