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Tomorrow will see the Duchess of Cambridge turn 38, but the royal has already begun celebrating the occasion. This weekend, the Duke and Duchess welcomed friends to their Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall, for a pre-birthday gathering.

According to US news outlet People, guests are thought to have included Thomas van Straubenzee and his fiance Lucy Lanigan-OKeeffe, Lady Laura and James Meade, the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, and Kates parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

The Duchess of Cambridge

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The friends are a tight-knit group; Thomas van Straubenzee, one of Prince Williams closest friends, is godfather to Princess Charlotte. His fiance Lucy is also a teacher at Thomass Battersea, where William and Kates two eldest children are students. Lady Laura Meade is the godmother of Prince Louis and is married to another member of Williams inner circle, James Meade. David, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley and his wife, Rose Hanbury, Marchioness of Cholmondeley, meanwhile, have been friends of the royal couple for over a decade. Although last year saw speculation of a falling out between Rose and Kate, there was no sign of animosity among the friends when they joined the Queen at church in Sandringham on Sunday.

The Marchioness of Cholmondeley

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Indeed the Norfolk January weekend seems to have become something of a tradition for the Duke and Duchess, encompassing activities that are thought to include shooting and a dinner with the Queen at Sandringham House.

They royal couple also hosted friends this time last year, before attending the St Mary Magdalene Church Sunday service the next morning. This year saw William, Kate and their friends smartly dressed for the occasion, looking no less worse the wear for the weekends festivities.

Lucy Lanigan-OKeeffe and Thomas van Straubenzee

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Seemingly not a fan of lavish celebrations, Vanity Fair reported last year that the Duchess would mark the actual day of her 37th birthday with a small tea party at Kensington Palace, attended by her husband and children. Now back in London in time for the new school term, it is expected that Kate will again celebrate the day itself with an intimate gathering.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

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The Duchess of Cambridge starts early birthday celebration - Tatler