HIP, HIP HOORAY

The family celebrate milestone birthdays across the generations

- REPORT: CATHERINE OLIVE & JACKIE BROWN

SOPHIE, DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH

60 ON 20 JANUARY

The Duchess of Edinburgh entered her seventh decade in style, releasing a stunning new portrait that shows her sitting in a window seat, laughing, dressed in sleek black and white.

Taken by Christina Ebenezer, the image sums up the way in which Sophie has become ever more sartorially confident in recent years.

The first female in the royal family to wear a jumpsuit to Ascot, she has also worn Prada to attend church.

As patron of the London College of Fashion, the Duchess likes to showcase British brands during public appearances.

The fashion and celebrity stylist Gayle Rinkoff tells us: “At 60, Sophie has definitely found her fashion edge.”

CAROLE MIDDLETON

70 ON 31 JANUARY

As a woman who made her fortune helping people to plan parties, the Princess of Wales’s mother, Carole Middleton, is sure to have had quite a celebration.

“The Middletons love parties,” the royal expert Ingrid Seward says. “They love getting dressed up, and they love fancy dress and decorating for an event.”