Pippa Middleton Turns 41: How Kate's Loyal Sister Made Her Mark in the Royal World This Summer liennhi

   

Pippa supported her older sister in a key way at Wimbledon in July

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Middleton in the Royal Box on Centre Court during day twelve of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2019 in London, England
Kate Middleton and Pippa Middleton at Wimbledon in London on July 13, 2019. Photo: 

Karwai Tang/Getty 

Pippa Middleton has something special to celebrate this weekend — her 41st birthday!

Kate Middleton's younger sister turned 41 on Sept. 6, inspiring a look back at the key way she supported her older sibling this summer. On July 14, the Princess of Wales made her second public appearance this year at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships after announcing in March that she is receiving cancer treatment — and Pippa was quite literally right behind her in a show of support.

Princess Kate, 42, her daughter Princess Charlotte, 9, and Pippa had a girls' day out when they watched the men's singles final from the front row of the Royal Box, where photographer Karwai Tang told PEOPLE their tight bond was clear.

"You can tell that all three of them were enjoying themselves," said Tang, who captured several sweet moments between the family, including Princess Charlotte's look of love for her mother when she was welcomed into the stadium with a standing ovation.

Pippa Middleton, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales court-side of Centre Court during the men's final on day fourteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England
Pippa Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024. 

Karwai Tang/WireImage


While Princess Kate and Pippa are both known to attend Wimbledon most summers (Kate is patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club that's home to the iconic tournament, while Pippa first checked out the competition this year with her husband James Matthews on July 12), their bond goes much deeper. 

Pippa stepped into the spotlight when she served as a bridesmaid at her sister's wedding to Prince William in 2011 and has been there for her in the years since, joining her at royal events like her children's christenings and Kate's Together At Christmas carol concerts.

Pippa Matthews and James Matthews attend The 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023 in London, England.
Pippa Matthews and James Matthews attend The 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 8, 2023 in London. 

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty


The Princess of Wales leaned on her loved ones after sharing the news about her health in March. At the time, a family friend told PEOPLE that Princess Kate "doesn’t feel isolated in this because of William, who is right beside her."

The Princess of Wales' parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, have been an additional source of help, with Carole accompanying her daughter on school drop-offs. Meanwhile, the princess' siblings, Pippa and James, also live nearby. 

James shared a touching statement on Instagram after Princess Kate announced that she was undergoing cancer treatment, along with a throwback photo of them together as children.

"Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too," he wrote at the time.

Stefan Edberg, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Marjory Gengler, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Stan Smith, Tom Cruise, Bec Hewitt and Debbie Jevans court-side of Centre Court during the men's final on day fourteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England.
Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024. 

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Pippa doesn't maintain a public social media presence — apparently by design. After she and her husband James, an Eton-educated financier, got engaged in 2016, a source told PEOPLE that the couple shared a "deep desire" to disappear from the spotlight in the longer term and looked forward to "having children and leading a quiet life."

Pippa and James married in May 2017 at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, England (where Prince George and Princess Charlotte adorably served in the wedding party!). Their family expanded when their children Arthur, 5, Grace, 3, and Rose, 2, were born.

In her professional endeavors, Pippa is the author of the entertaining guide Celebrate and the healthy recipe book Heartfelt, with the latter benefitting the British Heart Foundation, where she serves as an ambassador.

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews arrive on day twelve of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London. Picture date: Friday July 12, 2024.
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at Wimbledon on July 12, 2024. 

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty