Kate Middleton Birthday: Duchess of Cambridge Turns a Full-Fledged Royal

The Duchess of Cambridge turns 30 on January 9, 2011.

Reports of an Eighties-themed party in London to mark the birthday of Britain's future queen, being organised by her party planner sister Pippa and brother-in-law Prince Harry, have been trending on internet search engines and social networking sites for more than a week now. But royal insiders insist that the event will be a low-key affair. "Whatever is planned will be low-key and private," the Daily Mail has quoted a St James' Palace spokesman as saying.

However, the occasion will see Kate Middleton prepare to assume duties and responsibilities that will include well-defined roles to promote the monarch's Diamond Jubilee and also the London 2012 Olympics. But the huge and consistent media limelight on Kate might potentially hamper her duties as a full-fledged royal, especially those involving public interaction.

The Duchess of Cambridge has also taken up some new roles recently that include patron of drug charity Action on Addiction, the National Portrait Gallery, and royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and art charity The Art Room. She is also due to back the activities of the Scout Association as a private volunteer.

In addition, she has been tipped to head Princess Diana's old Army regiment.

St James's Palace said: "The Duchess's first patronages and her volunteer position reflect Her Royal Highness's personal interests in the arts, the promotion of outdoor activity, and supporting people who are in need of all ages, especially young children. The Duchess's new roles reflect Her Royal Highness's wish to support the Royal Family's work in highlighting important causes in the charitable and voluntary sector and the arts."