Princess Catherine releases new photo of Princess Charlotte
Royal fans have spotted a secret message to the late Queen in a new portrait of Princess Charlotte to mark her birthday.
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A new portrait of Princess Charlotte has been released by the Prince and Princess of Wales to mark her ninth birthday.
The image of the young royal, the third in line to the throne, was taken by Princess Catherine on their Windsor estate over the last few days and shows the nine-year-old beaming in the spring sunshine.
The Palace said it had not been edited and was released on the royals’ social media channels to thank those who have sent birthday wishes to the Wales’ second child.
Princess Kate wrote in the caption: “Happy ninth birthday, Princess Charlotte. Thank you for all the kind messages today!”
Royal fans spotted a hidden nod to the late Queen in the photo. Charlotte leans against a garden fence with pink flowers called Clematis Elizabeth, which Gardens Illustrated reported is one of the first plants named after Queen Elizabeth II.
Charlotte’s big day comes as the Wales’ navigate Kate’s cancer treatment, with the Princess taking a break from official duties since the start of the year.
The Princess of Wales said in a video announcement to the nation announcing her diagnosis that she and William “have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family”.
Charlotte attends the coeducational private Lambrook School near Ascot in Berkshire, and is said to be passionate about dancing, especially ballet and tap.
She is known for her determined character compared to her older brother George, 10, and Kate has described the princess as “the one in charge”.
At her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral, Charlotte was seen reminding George to bow to the coffin and she kept younger brother Louis in check during a Trooping The Colour by placing her hand over his to calm his energetic waving to the crowds from the carriage.
This time last year, Charlotte was preparing for her grandfather King Charles’ coronation, where she processed through Westminster Abbey hand-in-hand with Louis.
She wore a version of Kate’s silver bullion, crystal and silver thread headpiece by Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen.
Charlotte was last seen in public on Christmas Day when she walked to church with her family and second cousin Mia Tindall at Sandringham.
Last week, William and Kate released an unedited new photo of Louis straight to social media, rather than under embargo to the press as has been the tradition, to mark his sixth birthday on April 23.
It avoided the uproar triggered by Princess Kate’s digitally altered Mother’s Day photo.
Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, was born princess of Cambridge in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, at 8.34am on May 2 2015, weighing 8lbs 3oz.
She owes her middle names to Elizabeth II and her late grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales, and is said by royal fans to bear a resemblance to both when they were younger.
CHARLES PARTS WITH TRADITION
A year after their crowning at Westminster Abbey, King Charles and Queen Camilla marked the first anniversary by receiving the Coronation Roll at Buckingham Palace.
The ceremonial document, an official record of the coronation proceedings, was handed to them in the 1844 room by Antonia Romeo, the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden was also present.
The roll, first of its kind to be made from paper rather than parchment in recognition of Charles’s focus on animal welfare, is made up of approximately 11,600 words over 30 pages, each connected by the traditional chancery stitch.
As the roll was displayed on Wednesday, King Charles remarked on its length, saying “It goes for miles.”
Camilla chimed in, “I won’t attempt to read it without my specs,” while Charles admired the “marvellous illuminations”.
The King remarked on the “marvellous illuminations” that adorned the pages.
“It’s extraordinary, it goes right on to us leaving the abbey.”
Charles expressed a keen interest in the historical continuity of such documents, which date back to the coronation of Edward II and Queen Isabella in 1308.
Gaps remain in the archived records, with several rolls missing, which fascinated the King.
Historian Dr. Sean Cunningham mentioned that George III was notably the only monarch without a roll, with some absences from the 15th century attributed to royal succession disputes.
The royal couple met with the artisans responsible for creating the roll, heraldic artist Timothy Noad and calligrapher Stephanie Gill.
The King acknowledged their meticulous craftsmanship, while Queen Camilla commented on the detail.
The event also included a preview of a digital version of the roll, soon to be available online with interactive features for public access.
This version captures the procession into the abbey with accompanying choirs and fanfares.
“Having it there on the website, is hopefully interesting for people, so that’s the reference to go to,” Charles said.
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Originally published as Princess Catherine releases new photo of Princess Charlotte
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