Princess Charlotte Turns 11: New Portrait and Video Released by William and Kate

Key facts

• Princess Charlotte was born at 8:34 a.m. on 2 May 2015 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, weighing 8lb 3oz.
• She is third in line to the British throne, after her father Prince William and brother Prince George.
• The new birthday portrait was taken by photographer Matt Porteous during the Wales family's Easter holiday in Cornwall.
• A separate video shows Charlotte bowling a cricket ball, playing with family dogs Orla and Otto, and writing in the sand with shells.
• Charlotte is the first female royal to retain her place in the succession order after the birth of a younger brother, due to 2013 legislation.
• The Princess is a fan of Taylor Swift and passionate about sports including rugby, football, and gymnastics.
• She attends Lambrook School in Berkshire alongside her brothers Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 8.

A Sunlit Portrait from Cornwall

Kensington Palace released a new photograph and video of Princess Charlotte on Saturday to mark her 11th birthday. The image, shot by photographer Matt Porteous, shows the princess smiling in a sunny field, wearing a black-and-red striped jumper with blue jeans. It was taken during the family's Easter break in Cornwall. A separate video montage from the same holiday was posted hours later. In it, 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 on social media: 'Thank you for the lovely birthday messages for Princess Charlotte, 11 today!'

A Royal Milestone and Family Traditions

Charlotte's birthday comes just a day after the Wales family celebrated the first birthday of their second dog, Otto, with a photo of the brown spaniel in a grassy field in Cornwall. On Wednesday, Prince William and Princess Catherine also shared a new family portrait to mark 15 years of marriage. That image, also taken by Porteous, shows the couple lying in the grass with their three children and two dogs. Porteous, based in Jersey, has received several royal commissions from William and Catherine, including behind-the-scenes moments from Prince Louis's christening, Christmas cards, and royal portraits. The family's Easter break in Cornwall has become a recurring setting for these intimate family photographs.

Charlotte's Place in the Succession

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born at 8:34 a.m. on 2 May 2015 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. Her middle names honor her late grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales, and her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. She is one of nine direct descendants of Queen Elizabeth II to carry the monarch's name. Charlotte holds the distinction of being the first female royal to retain her place in the line of succession after the birth of a younger brother. This is due to legislation enacted before Prince George's birth that ended male-preference primogeniture. She is third in line to the throne, following her father and older brother George.

Life at Lambrook and the Question of Secondary School

Since 2022, all three Wales children have attended Lambrook School in Berkshire. The family relocated from Kensington Palace to the royal estate in Windsor, living at Forest Lodge after leaving Adelaide Cottage earlier this year. Royal observers are closely watching for decisions about Prince George's secondary education, with speculation about whether Charlotte might follow. The Prince and Princess of Wales are known to be fiercely protective of their children's privacy. However, it is known that Charlotte is a fan of Taylor Swift—a photo of William and the children posing with the American pop star has become iconic—and she is passionate about sports including rugby, football, and gymnastics.

A Public Appearance and a Week of Royal Engagements

Charlotte was last seen in public at the Royal Family's annual Easter Sunday church service in Windsor, where she was smiling and waving at crowds. That appearance came amid a busy period for the monarchy: King Charles III and Queen Camilla spent the week in the United States, meeting with President Donald Trump, visiting Arlington Cemetery and the September 11 memorial, and addressing Congress. The King's speech to Congress focused on diplomacy and cooperation. The U.S. visit underscored the ongoing international role of the British royal family, even as domestic attention remains fixed on the Wales family's private moments.

Looking Ahead: A Future Under Scrutiny

As Charlotte enters her 11th year, the balance between public duty and private life will continue to shape her upbringing. Her parents have carefully managed the release of personal images, often choosing candid shots from family holidays over formal portraits. The choice of Matt Porteous, a trusted photographer, reflects their desire for control over the narrative. The coming years will bring decisions about education and public engagements. For now, the birthday portrait offers a glimpse of a young princess at ease—a deliberate contrast to the formal expectations of royal life. The image, like the video that accompanied it, projects a sense of normalcy that the Wales family has worked to cultivate.

The bottom line

• Princess Charlotte turned 11 on May 2, 2025, with a new portrait and video released by her parents, taken during the family's Easter break in Cornwall.
• She is third in line to the throne, the first female royal to retain her place after a younger brother's birth due to 2013 succession legislation.
• Charlotte attends Lambrook School with her brothers; her secondary education plans remain unannounced, amid speculation about Prince George's future school.
• The princess is a fan of Taylor Swift and enjoys rugby, football, and gymnastics.
• The Wales family continues to use trusted photographer Matt Porteous for intimate family portraits, balancing public interest with privacy.
• King Charles III and Queen Camilla spent the week of Charlotte's birthday on a state visit to the United States, meeting with President Trump and addressing Congress.