Kate Middleton to Celebrate 33rd Birthday, Will Get Present From PETA—Check Out Details and a Photo!

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who is pregnant with her second child, will spend the day with husband Prince William and son Prince George

By Corinne Heller Jan 08, 2015 10:25 PMTags
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate MiddletonChris Jackson/Getty Images

Happy early birthday to Kate Middleton, who turns 33 on Friday!

The duchess, who is pregnant with her second child, is set to "spent the day privately," People magazine quoted a palace source as saying. The outlet said Kate is believed to be with husband Prince William, 32, and son Prince George, who is 17 months old, at the their newly renovated country home, Anmer Hall. Last year, she also had a small, low-key family celebration at home.

One of her 33rd birthday gifts is already on the way...courtesy of PETA. Don't worry, the Duchess of Cambridge hasn't angered the animal rights group. They just want to give her a "birthday gift that's equal parts chic and animal-friendly," according to a statement from the group.

The duchess is set to receive from the organization a faux-wool, moto-style coat to add to her, well, large, real-wool collection of dress coats, which she often sports at public appearances.

The new coat is from New York vegan boutique Vaute Couture. It is belted, has a side full-length zipper, is made of WonderFelt and retails for $360. PETA provided an image of one of the company's coats in an emerald green color. You can also get the in black and cognac.

"Fashion is about more than looking good—it's also a statement about who you are and what you stand for", PETA UK founder Ingrid E. Newkirk was quoted as saying in the group's statement. "By wearing her new vegan coat, the duchess will be setting a great example and sending British women the message that they can have top-notch style without hurting animals."

vautecouture.com

In its statement, PETA cited an undercover investigation they had carried out that revealed that sheep in more than 30 locations in the United States and Australia were tortured, sometimes to death, when their wool was sheared off to make coats.

Prince Charles, William's father and first in line to the British throne, is a supporter of sheep farmers. In 2010, he launched the Campaign for Wool initiative to expand the market for wool in the United Kingdom, citing the material's environmental benefits, such as its biodegradability, according to the official Prince of Wales website.

In 2012, a photo of Kate wearing what appeared to be a fur-lined coat was posted on the website of the International Fur Trade Federation and stirred controversy. PETA came to the duchess' defense, saying that her reps had said the fur on the outfit was fake. The picture was removed and the IFTF apologized, according to TODAY.com.

Kate has occasionally been photographed wearing faux fur.

Indigo/Getty Image

A PETA spokesman had told TODAY.com that the duchess' "decision not to wear fur puts her in the company of public figures such as Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and the late Princess Diana."

Diana, Charles' ex-wife and mother of William and Prince Harry, died in 1997. She was the most beloved British royal of her time.

Kate has received gifts from PETA before; In 2013, just before she gave birth to her and William's son, the group sent the family a gift basket containing vegan caviar (usually made from seaweed), cruelty-free "faux gras" (usually a nut or lentil-based paté) and a faux-sheepskin baby blanket for their child.

Can't get enough royal news? E!'s new scripted series The Royals premieres Sunday, March 15, at 10 p.m.! Follow The Royals on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates!