Princess Charlotte beams in new 11th birthday portrait and video released by Kensington Palace

Key facts

• Princess Charlotte turned 11 on 2 May 2025.
• The birthday portrait and video were taken by photographer Matt Porteous during the family's Easter break in Cornwall.
• Charlotte is third in line to the throne, after her father Prince William and brother Prince George.
• She was born at 08:43 on 2 May 2015 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.
• The video shows Charlotte bowling a cricket ball, patting the family dogs Orla and Otto, and writing in the sand with shells.
• The Wales family also celebrated the first birthday of their second dog, Otto, on 1 May.
• Charlotte was last seen in public at the Royal Family's annual Easter Sunday church service in Windsor.

A new portrait marks Princess Charlotte's 11th birthday

Kensington Palace released a previously unseen photograph of Princess Charlotte on Friday to mark her 11th birthday, showing the young royal smiling in a sunny field. The image, taken by photographer Matt Porteous during the family's Easter break in Cornwall, captures Charlotte wearing a black and red striped jumper with blue jeans. The palace accompanied the photo with a simple message: 'Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday!'

Video footage offers a glimpse of Charlotte's holiday activities

Hours later, a separate video montage from the same holiday was posted, in which Charlotte is seen bowling a cricket ball, patting the family's dogs Orla and Otto, and using white shells to write a message in the sand. Kensington Palace wrote: 'Thank you for the lovely birthday messages for Princess Charlotte, 11 today!' The footage provides a rare candid look at the princess's private life away from official engagements.

Photographer Matt Porteous continues long-standing royal commission

Matt Porteous, who is based in Jersey, has received multiple royal commissions from Prince William and Princess Catherine, including behind-the-scenes moments from Prince Louis's christening, Christmas cards, and official portraits. The birthday portrait is the latest in a series of personal family images he has captured for the Wales family.

Family celebrations coincide with wedding anniversary and dog's birthday

The release of Charlotte's birthday portrait comes a day after the Wales family celebrated the first birthday of their second dog, Otto. They shared a photo of the brown spaniel sitting in a grassy field in Cornwall with the caption: 'Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today.' On Wednesday, Prince William and Princess Catherine also shared a new family portrait to mark their 15th wedding anniversary, taken by Porteous during the same Easter break in Cornwall.

Charlotte's place in the line of succession and public appearances

Princess Charlotte, formally known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Wales, was born at 08:43 on 2 May 2015 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington. As the granddaughter of King Charles, she is third in line to the throne, after her father Prince William and older brother Prince George. She has two brothers: Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 8. Her last public appearance was at the Royal Family's annual Easter Sunday church service in Windsor, where she was seen smiling and waving at crowds.

A tradition of birthday portraits continues

The release of a birthday portrait has become a tradition for the Prince and Princess of Wales, offering the public a carefully curated glimpse into their children's lives. The images often generate widespread media coverage and public interest, reflecting the enduring fascination with the royal family. This year's portrait, set in the natural landscape of Cornwall, continues that tradition while emphasizing a relaxed, family-oriented image.

The bottom line

• Princess Charlotte celebrated her 11th birthday with a new portrait and video released by Kensington Palace.
• The images were taken by photographer Matt Porteous during the Wales family's Easter break in Cornwall.
• Charlotte is third in line to the British throne, after Prince William and Prince George.
• The birthday release coincided with the first birthday of the family's dog Otto and the 15th wedding anniversary of William and Catherine.
• Charlotte's last public appearance was at the Easter Sunday church service in Windsor.