Princess Charlotte Celebrates 9th Birthday as New Photo Released by Prince and Princess of Wales

Princess Charlotte, the daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton, celebrated her 9th birthday on May 2, 2024. To mark the occasion, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a new photograph of Charlotte taken by her mother Kate in Windsor. The image shows a beaming Charlotte casually leaning against a fence, wearing a maroon cardigan, navy jumper, and floral blouse.

The royal couple shared the unedited photograph on their social media accounts, thanking people for the birthday wishes. This marks a change from the usual process of releasing images to the press under embargo, as the family is currently experiencing an "extraordinary time" with the Princess of Wales undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Charlotte is the third in line to the throne and attends the Lambrook School in Berkshire, where she enjoys dancing, especially ballet and tap. She is known for being spirited and has been spotted reminding her brother George to bow and keeping her younger brother Louis in check during public events.

Last year, Charlotte participated in her grandfather King Charles III's coronation, wearing a mini-me version of her mother's headpiece and a dress with emblems of the United Kingdom. The Wales family spent quality time together during the Easter holidays following the Princess's announcement about her cancer diagnosis.

Why this matters: Princess Charlotte's birthday celebration comes during a challenging time for the royal family, as they navigate the Princess of Wales' cancer treatment and King Charles III's own cancer diagnosis. The release of the new picture directly to social media, rather than under embargo to the press, reflects a shift in the family's approach to privacy during this period.

The birthday portrait continues the royal tradition of the Prince and Princess of Wales sharing photos of their children on their birthdays. The image captures Charlotte's cheerful spirit and resemblance to her father, Prince William. As the royal family faces health challenges, they remain committed to celebrating joyous occasions and sharing special moments with the public.

Key Takeaways

• Princess Charlotte celebrated her 9th birthday on May 2, 2024.
• Kate Middleton took a new photo of Charlotte, shared directly on social media.
• Charlotte attends Lambrook School and enjoys dancing, especially ballet and tap.
• The royal family is navigating health challenges, including the Princess of Wales' cancer treatment.
• The birthday photo reflects a shift in the family's approach to privacy during this period.