Just Released Princess Charlotte’s Adorable 9th Birthday Snapshot!

As Princess Charlotte turns nine, Prince William and Kate Middleton have posted a happy picture of her that pays a moving tribute to the late Queen of England.

“Princess Charlotte is celebrating her 9th birthday!” reads the caption. “I appreciate the generous messages I received today.” The photo was taken by her mother, Kate Middleton. This snapshot shows Charlotte in her denim skirt and crimson jumper. Outside, next to a bouquet of flowers, she is positioned. 

The remarkable likeness between Prince William and his daughter Charlotte was emphasized by commentators in the user feedback section. “One individual commented, ‘She strongly resembles her father.'” 

Edited Image? The Palace’s Statement

Media outlets were warned by multiple news agencies not to use a photo of the royal family that had been altered by Kate; the public then began to scrutinize the photo, believing it had been “manipulated.” 

The princess expressed her regret on the Kensington Palace X account, writing, “Similar to numerous novice photographers, I occasionally engage in editing experimentation.” If yesterday’s family portrait caused any confusion, please accept my utmost apology. This new photo of Charlotte is the first official portrait of the princess to circulate in months. 

The palace released a black-and-white portrait of 10-year-old Prince George and his siblings Louis and Charlotte on December 25th. In the holiday photo, Charlotte posed with her arms draped over her brothers’ shoulders, her smile beaming with love. Earlier that day, the princess joined her family for the annual Christmas morning service at the church of St. Mary Magdalene in Norfolk, England, which is close to the royal Sandringham residence. 

In a blue blouse and scarlet cardigan, Princess Charlotte is shown reclining against a chainlink fence covered with flowers. For those with sharp eyes, the picture paid quiet tribute to Queen Elizabeth. According to Gardens Illustrated, one of the earliest flowers to bear the late Queen’s name is Clematis Elizabeth.

For those who may not know, Charlotte honors the late Queen with her whole name. Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was named for Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, Prince William’s mother, who tragically died in an automobile accident on August 31, 1997. Charlotte was born on May 2, 2015.

When Kensington Palace posted a photo of Middleton with her children that was later shown to have been digitally altered, Middleton took ownership of the purported “photoshop fail” and the subsequent uproar.

After public speculation and conspiracy theories over her health and well-being reached a breaking point, Middleton disclosed she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative treatment.

The whole experience had both fans and royal observers wondering if Middleton will carry on with her birthday-day practice of releasing pictures of her kids. On April 23, Prince Louis’ birthday, Kensington Palace really released a picture of him shamefully late.

Release of pictures on royal birthdays is a kind of royal custom. “Catherine has taken a great many, and they are always eagerly awaited,” royal analyst Richard Fitzwilliams told The Daily Express.

“This (would have been) a shame because of the contentious issue of her Mothering Day picture,” Fitzwilliams said. “The revelation that it was edited led to a highly embarrassing contretemps and the subsequent revelation that she was not only recovering from abdominal surgery but bravely fighting cancer.”

Fitzwilliams continued by speculating that there “might have been discussions” on the right course of action for releasing Prince Louis’ birthday picture and that the wait might very well “emphasize (Middleton’s) need for time, space and privacy.”

“This ought to be understood by everyone after the misunderstandings of recent weeks,” Fitzwilliams said.