A delightful new photo of Princess Charlotte has been unveiled on the official social media platforms of the Prince and Princess of Wales, celebrating her 11th birthday this Saturday.
This charming image was captured by Matt Porteous, the couple’s trusted photographer, during the family’s Easter holiday in Cornwall last month.
Accompanying the photo, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a warm message, “Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday,” complete with a festive cake emoji.
Happy birthday! A photograph of Princess Charlotte has been released to mark her 11th birthday
The photograph has delighted fans, who eagerly commented on how mature Princess Charlotte is looking, often referring to her as Prince William’s “mini-me.”
This is the second recent photo release featuring the young princess, following a heartwarming family portrait shared by the Waleses on Wednesday to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary.
In that family snapshot, Charlotte can be seen joyfully smiling with her younger brother, Prince Louis, and her mother, as they enjoyed a sunny moment together during their trip to Cornwall.
In today’s photo, she could be seen sporting the same ivy blue nail varnish as in the family shot.
Family portrait: Earlier this week, the Prince and Princess of Wales have marked 15 years of marriage with a heartfelt family portrait
Last year: To mark her tenth birthday, the Waleses released this portrait of Charlotte, windswept and grinning at her mom, Princess Catherine
Charlotte is third in line to the throne and set, one day, to be Princess Royal, following in the footsteps of her great aunt, Princess Anne – and many think she would be a natural successor to the role.
Because of changes in 2013 to the rules concerning the order of succession that mean male heirs are no longer prioritised above female heirs, Charlotte, born in 2015, became the first British princess to rank above a younger brother.
Her full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana and she was born in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, at 8.34am on May 2, 2015.
Adorable: On her first birthday, William and Kate released an adorable snap of her pushing a trolley of bricks
She has already won hearts by frequently taking charge of her brothers at public events, especially her younger sibling Prince Louis, who turned eight on April 23.
But she lives a largely private life thanks to the protection of her parents, attending Lambrook School undisturbed.
When her parents have spoken about her, they have painted a picture of any other 11-year-old – with a love of dancing and Taylor Swift.
Charlotte is a keen ballet dancer and enjoys making friendship bracelets – famously styling one for Prince William with the word ‘papa’ on it.
Through the years: On her ninth birthday, the Waleses released another portrait of the young princess
Adorable: The year before, Charlotte was shown embracing the family’s beloved dog Orla
Princess Charlotte has previously been described by insiders as the royal family’s ‘secret weapon’, taking on the role of a ‘boss’ at home who is not afraid to speak her mind.
Royal historian Marlene Koenig told US Weekly ‘Charlotte rules the roost’ at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, adding that her mom describes her as ‘independent’ and ‘the one in charge’.
Last year her father William, revealed how she even made him shave off his beard when she disapproved.
Princess Charlotte’s last public appearance was on Easter Sunday when she joined senior royals for the traditional service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
