Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband Britain's Prince William (unseen) visit the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch April 14, 2014. Prince William and his wife are undertaking a 19-day official visit to New Zealand and Australia with their
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and her husband Britain's Prince William (unseen) visit the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch April 14, 2014. Prince William and his wife are undertaking a 19-day official visit to New Zealand and Australia with their son, Prince George. REUTERS/ Chris Jackson/Pool

Kate Middleton has been busy attending to her royal duties even through her pregnancy. The Duchess of Cambridge is believed to be the epitome of a good royal escort. But it's believed she is pressured to smile during public appearances to show a good front.

According to Molly Mulshine of the New York Observer, Kate Middleton is "the picture of a perfect royal escort." She is allegedly rarely seen out with friends ever since she married Prince William and became Duchess of Cambridge. Instead, she makes" family and duty her priority," which Mulshine supposed is "well and good and it works for the royal family.

However, Mulshine claimed people miss the fun-loving Kate Middleton, who during her single days has allegedly been known to gallivant around clubs with her sister Pippa. Instead, what fans supposedly sees is a Duchess who attends to public appearances with anything but a "frown or a forced smile on her face."

"There's no doubt they are pushing Will and Kate to maintain their humdrum image after the whirlwind of scandal surrounding the palace in the 1980s and early 1990s thanks to the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York," Mulshine added.

Additionally, Mulshine claimed the Duchess of Cambridge has been distancing herself even from her sister. It's believed Kate and Prince William are not particularly interested with Pippa's lifestyle.

"Rumor has it that she and Prince William are not fans of Pippa Middleton's increasingly high profile, bolstered by her Vanity Fair columns, her interest in appearing on the Today Show and, of course, that truly bizarre handgun incident," Mulshine said.

Thus, for her 33rd birthday, Kate Middleton supposedly needs a best friend whom she can unwind with. She has reportedly been caught up in her royal duties and being a mother. Mulshine claimed the last time the Duchess was seen having a laugh with girlfriends may have been before she married Prince William. But now it's believed she's never seen in public with friends. Mulshine thought the Duchess of Cambridge could choose among Princess Charlene of Monaco, Lady Mary Charteris, Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow and even singer Fergie for her friend.

As for her birthday, Perez Hilton thought the Duchess of Cambridge wanted a huge, lavish party. However, a source said Kate Middleton "doesn't like a big fuss." Additionally, she reportedly didn't want to leave Prince George at home so opted for a "private" celebration in Anmer Hall.