Prince William is feeling the love on his 43rd birthday—and this year, the royal celebration includes a few extra wagging tails.

On Saturday, June 21, the Prince of Wales was showered with tributes from across the royal family, led by his wife Kate Middleton, who shared a charming photo on Instagram capturing William’s playful side surrounded by their growing family—including the newest additions: a litter of puppies recently born to their dog Orla.

A Picture-Perfect Birthday

The photo, taken by Kate earlier this month, shows Prince William beaming as he poses with Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, along with their beloved cocker spaniel Orla and her adorable pups. The image radiates joy and family closeness—an increasingly rare glimpse into the private lives of Britain’s most prominent royals.

“Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies! 🐾,” Kate captioned the photo—signing off affectionately with her initial, and those of their three children and furry friends.

The post has since drawn widespread attention online, with fans praising the authenticity and warmth of the family snapshot. In a time where the monarchy often feels distant, these simple, intimate gestures resonate deeply with the public.

A Growing Pack at Kensington Palace

The puppies in the photo are Orla’s, born just last month, according to The Sun. Orla joined the royal household in 2020 as a gift from Kate’s brother, James Middleton, whose own dog Luna gave birth to six puppies that year.

“Everyone loves a new royal baby, and royal puppies are a close second,” a palace insider joked to The Sun. The arrival of the pups has reportedly brought even more joy to the family’s bustling home life.

The Wales family has long expressed their love of animals, especially dogs. Prince George and Princess Charlotte are known for helping care for Orla, and now with a whole litter to fuss over, the siblings reportedly have their hands full—and their hearts fuller.

Royal Tributes Roll In

In addition to Kate’s sweet message, King Charles III shared his own birthday wishes to his eldest son. Posting to the royal family’s official Instagram Stories, the King included a serene photo of William sitting in a field and simply wrote: “Happy birthday to the Prince of Wales!”

The monarch and heir have reportedly grown closer in recent years, especially as both navigate major responsibilities—Charles as King, and William preparing for his future role.

A Week of Royal Activity

The birthday celebrations cap off a busy stretch of royal engagements. On June 14, Prince William rode in the King’s annual Trooping the Colour parade, a grand military event steeped in British tradition. Days later, on June 16, he participated in Garter Day, another formal occasion in Windsor that saw Kate joining him in a carriage procession after the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel.

Then came Royal Ascot, the famed horse racing event that serves as a staple in the royal calendar. While Prince William made appearances, Princess Kate was notably absent, despite earlier expectations that she would attend. According to sources close to the family, she continues to pace herself as she recovers from her cancer treatment.

“She’s being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life,” said Queen Elizabeth’s former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson in PEOPLE’s latest cover story.

Though her appearances remain limited, Kate’s presence behind the camera—like her now-traditional birthday portraits—speaks volumes about her ongoing involvement in family and royal life.

Father’s Day Fun with the Kids

Prince William’s birthday comes just days after another joyful family moment. On June 15, for Father’s Day, the children shared a pair of playful before-and-after photos with their dad. In the first image, William stood proudly with his arms wrapped around George, Charlotte, and Louis beneath a blossoming cherry tree. In the second, all three kids piled on top of him in a moment of laughter and chaos.

“Happy Father’s Day, Papa (before and after!) We love you! G, C & L 💖,” the kids wrote in the caption—undoubtedly with Kate’s help.

The photos, captured by photographer Josh Shinner, were taken during the same session that produced the official portraits for Prince Louis’s seventh birthday.

A Royal Champion of Sustainability

Amid all the festivities, William hasn’t slowed down his environmental advocacy. Just days before his birthday, on June 19, he joined Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett on a visit to one of the Earthshot Prize finalists in London. Together, they spotlighted groundbreaking sustainable fashion innovations—including a company creating chemical-free dyeing techniques that use significantly less water.

The visit was one of many tied to William’s Earthshot Prize, a global initiative he launched in 2020 to incentivize solutions to environmental challenges. The Prince continues to champion the cause passionately, balancing his royal duties with a modern mission for global change.

A Private Man in a Public Role

At 43, Prince William stands at a crossroads. As his father’s reign progresses, William’s role within the monarchy deepens. He is both a visible royal figure and a father of three young children, navigating personal and professional responsibilities under relentless public scrutiny.

But the photos shared this week—snaps of joy, playfulness, and puppy cuddles—show a man grounded in family, even as he prepares to one day wear the crown.

Whether addressing climate change on the world stage or wrestling with giggling children in the backyard, Prince William seems determined to stay true to both duties. And on his birthday, he’s being celebrated not just as the future King, but as a beloved husband, father, and dog dad.