Princess Kate became a member of the Royal Family when she married Prince William on April 29, 2011. However, Kate isn't descended from royalty, nor was she a member of the aristocracy prior to meeting and marrying the Prince of Wales. As a result, it makes a lot of sense that she feels most comfortable in "simple surroundings," per a royal source.
According to royal expert Rob Shuter's Substack, the Princess of Wales "celebrated her birthday far from the pomp of the palace, opting for an intimate lunch with her sister Pippa Matthews and their mother, Carole Middleton."
