Why Kate Middleton used animated post for Mother’s Day

Another insider said supporters have responded with sympathy.

The source said: “There is a feeling among those close to Kate that it is heartbreaking that she felt the need to go down that path. There is a feeling that she was bullied during an already vulnerable moment in 2024, and that has clearly shaped how she now approaches these occasions.

“It reflects a more cautious approach, where the priority is avoiding unnecessary controversy rather than creating a traditional family moment.”

Catherine has previously used Mothering Sunday to highlight wider themes, including the importance of nature and emotional wellbeing.

Prince William marked the day separately this year by sharing a never-before-seen photo with his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales – while Catherine’s absence from a new family portrait was widely noticed.

Another insider said: “There is now a clear sense that every decision about what she shares publicly is carefully considered through the lens of what happened last year. It’s not just about marking an occasion anymore – it’s about managing the response that follows.”

William wrote in his Mother’s Day post in honor of Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 at the age of 36: “I remember my mother, today and every day. Thinking of all those who remember someone they love today. Happy Mother’s Day. W.”