Princess Charlotte Turns 11: New Photo and Video Released by Kensington Palace

Key facts

• Princess Charlotte was born at 08:43 on 2 May 2015 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.
• She is third in line to the throne, after her grandfather King Charles and father Prince William.
• Charlotte has two brothers: Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 8.
• The birthday photo was taken by photographer Matt Porteous during the family's Easter holiday in Cornwall.
• A separate video shows Charlotte bowling a cricket ball, patting the dogs Orla and Otto, and writing in the sand with shells.
• The Wales family also marked 15 years of marriage on Wednesday with a new family portrait.
• King Charles and Queen Camilla spent the week in the United States, meeting President Donald Trump and visiting Arlington Cemetery and the Sept. 11 memorial.

A Sunny Birthday Portrait for the Young Princess

Kensington Palace released a new photograph and video of Princess Charlotte on Saturday to celebrate her 11th birthday. The image, taken by photographer Matt Porteous, shows Charlotte smiling in a sunny field, wearing a black-and-red striped jumper with blue jeans. The palace captioned the post: "Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday!" The photo was captured during the Wales family's Easter break in Cornwall, a holiday that also produced a separate video montage posted hours later. In the clip, 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 later thanked well-wishers, writing: "Thank you for the lovely birthday messages for Princess Charlotte, 11 today!" 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. She is the granddaughter of King Charles III and his late ex-wife Diana, and is third in line to the throne, after her grandfather and father.

A Week of Family Celebrations and Royal Milestones

Charlotte's birthday comes just a day after the Wales family celebrated the first birthday of their second dog, Otto, a brown spaniel. They shared a photo of Otto sitting in a grassy field in Cornwall with the caption: "Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today." The dog's birthday portrait was also taken during the same Cornwall holiday. On Wednesday, Prince William and Princess Catherine marked their 15th wedding anniversary with a new family portrait. The photo shows the couple lying in the grass, smiling, with their three children and their two dogs, Orla and Otto. That image was also taken by Matt Porteous during the Easter break in Cornwall. Porteous, who is based in Jersey, has received multiple royal commissions from William and Catherine, including behind-the-scenes moments from Louis' christening, Christmas cards, and official portraits. The consistent use of Porteous reflects the couple's preference for a trusted, informal photographer for family milestones.

Charlotte's Last Public Appearance and the Royal Family's Easter Tradition

The princess 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, alongside her parents and siblings, marked one of the few public outings for the Wales children this year. Easter Sunday is a key date in the royal calendar, and the family's presence at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle is a longstanding tradition. Charlotte's cheerful demeanor at the service drew positive attention, reinforcing her growing role as a public figure. Meanwhile, her brother Prince Louis celebrated his eighth birthday last month with a holiday video released by Kensington Palace. The pattern of releasing candid, natural images for each child's birthday has become a hallmark of William and Catherine's approach to managing their children's public exposure.

King Charles and Queen Camilla's US Visit Overshadows the Week

While the Wales family focused on birthdays and anniversaries, King Charles and Queen Camilla spent the week in the United States. They met with U.S. President Donald Trump, visited Arlington Cemetery and the Sept. 11 memorial, and addressed Congress in a speech emphasizing diplomacy and cooperation. The king's address to Congress was a historic moment, marking the first time a British monarch has spoken before the U.S. legislature. He focused on the enduring alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States, highlighting shared values and the importance of international cooperation. Queen Camilla accompanied the king throughout the visit, laying flowers at the Sept. 11 memorial and participating in ceremonial events. The trip underscored the monarchy's role in diplomatic relations, even as domestic royal events continued to capture public attention.

The Wales Family's Balancing Act: Privacy and Public Engagement

The release of Charlotte's birthday portrait and video reflects the careful strategy employed by William and Catherine to manage their children's public profiles. By sharing carefully curated images from private family moments, they maintain control over their children's image while satisfying public curiosity. Matt Porteous, the photographer behind the latest portraits, has built a trusted relationship with the couple, capturing intimate family scenes that feel both authentic and polished. His work for the Wales family includes Louis' christening, Christmas cards, and now multiple birthday portraits. This approach allows the children to grow up away from the constant glare of the media, while still providing the public with occasional glimpses into their lives. The strategy has been widely praised for balancing the demands of royal duty with the desire for a normal upbringing.

Looking Ahead: Charlotte's Future Role and Public Appearances

As Charlotte grows older, her public role is expected to expand gradually. She already accompanies her parents to select events, such as the Easter Sunday service, and her birthday milestones are increasingly marked with more elaborate releases. The princess is third in line to the throne, behind her grandfather and father, meaning her position in the line of succession is unlikely to change unless her father has more children. Her brother George, as the eldest, is second in line. With King Charles and Queen Camilla's US visit drawing to a close, the royal family's focus will return to domestic engagements. Charlotte's next public appearance is not yet scheduled, but her birthday portrait and video have once again endeared her to the public, reinforcing her status as a beloved member of the younger generation of royals.

The bottom line

• Princess Charlotte turned 11 on 2 May 2025, with Kensington Palace releasing a new photo and video taken by Matt Porteous during the family's Easter break in Cornwall.
• Charlotte is third in line to the throne, after King Charles and Prince William, and has two brothers: George (12) and Louis (8).
• The Wales family also celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary and their dog Otto's first birthday during the same week.
• King Charles and Queen Camilla spent the week in the United States, meeting President Trump and addressing Congress, highlighting the monarchy's diplomatic role.
• The release of carefully curated birthday images reflects William and Catherine's strategy to balance their children's privacy with public engagement.