Princess Catherine is said to have celebrated her 44th birthday with a low-key outing at a small French bistro in England. Kate, who turned 44 last Friday, reportedly dined at The Funghi Club in Hungerford, Berkshire, an area close to her childhood home in Bucklebury.
She was joined by her mother, Carole, 70, and her younger sister, Pippa, 42, for the intimate celebration.
The Bistro’s Enthusiastic Reaction
The Funghi Club later shared their excitement about the royal visit on Facebook, describing it as a memorable moment for the team.
“Every now and then something happens that sends a little fizz of excitement through the whole place and this week delivered a corker,” the restaurant wrote.
“Last Friday, in our teeny Hungerford Bistro, we had the enormous pleasure of welcoming a rather extraordinary guest…
“None other than the Princess of Wales herself, Berkshire’s very own Kate Middleton, celebrating her 44th birthday, joined by her mother Carole and sister Pippa.
“No photos to share (you’ll understand why), but the entire team on duty reported the same thing: she was utterly charming, gracious and every bit as radiant in person as you’d imagine.”
The post concluded by calling Kate’s visit a “moment of magic” that the staff “won’t forget in a hurry.”
The Funghi Club is known for serving classic French dishes at relatively modest prices. Main courses such as boeuf bourguignon and steak and kidney pudding are listed at under $42, adding to the charm of the unpretentious setting.
Mixed Reactions Online
The bistro’s post quickly attracted attention online, with many people congratulating the team on hosting such a notable guest. However, others took issue with how the Princess was referred to.
“That is the HRH Princess of Wales, you would think you would have some respect,” one commenter complained.
“Catherine has been married over a decade. She no longer goes by Middleton. You should be more respectful,” another added.
“That’s great – but she is not Kate Middleton. Get it right,” said a third.
A fourth person went further, writing: “Well I hope she never visits again! How exceedingly rude to divulge a very private occasion! The royal family have so little chance to relax like the rest of us, but you just see it as an advertising opportunity! Not nice.”
Others Defend the Bistro
Not everyone agreed with the criticism, and several commenters came to the restaurant’s defence.
“She is Kate Middleton to us when she is socialising privately! Congratulations to the Funghi Club, Hungerford, my local and lovely town,” one local resident wrote.
Kate’s official title is Catherine, Princess of Wales, which she received when Prince William became Prince of Wales following King Charles’s accession to the throne in September 2022. She also holds the titles Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge.
A Reflective Birthday Message
On her birthday, Catherine also marked the occasion by releasing the final instalment of her “Mother Nature” video series. The short film, titled “Winter”, showed the Princess taking an early morning walk in Berkshire.
In a reflective voiceover, she spoke about her cancer journey and the solace she has found in nature.
“To discover the deepest parts of ourselves. Alongside the whispers in the pulse of every living thing,” she said.
“I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am.
“For the rivers within us flow with ease, fears washed away, cleanse and purify. Come to peace with our tears and discover what it means to be alive.”
