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

Key facts

• Princess Charlotte was born on 2 May 2015 at 08:43 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.
• She is the middle child and only daughter of Prince William and Princess Catherine.
• Charlotte is third in line to the British throne, after her father and elder brother Prince George.
• The new portrait was taken by photographer Matt Porteous during the family's Easter holiday in Cornwall.
• A separate video shows Charlotte bowling a cricket ball, playing with dogs Orla and Otto, and writing in the sand with shells.
• The Wales family also released a wedding anniversary portrait on Wednesday, marking 15 years of marriage.
• Otto, the family's spaniel, celebrated his first birthday on the day before Charlotte's.
• Charlotte was last seen in public at the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service in Windsor.

A Birthday Portrait in the Cornwall Sun

Kensington Palace has released a new photograph and video of Princess Charlotte 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 and blue jeans. The portrait was captured during the family's Easter break in Cornwall. A separate video montage from the same holiday was posted hours later, featuring Charlotte bowling a cricket ball, patting the family's dogs Orla and Otto, and using white shells to write a message in the sand. Sharing the short film, Kensington Palace wrote: 'Thank you for the lovely birthday messages for Princess Charlotte, 11 today!'

A Week of Family Celebrations

Charlotte's birthday comes just 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 released a new family portrait to mark their 15th wedding anniversary. The anniversary photo shows William and Catherine lying in the grass, smiling, with their children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, 8—and their two dogs, Orla and Otto. The photographs were taken by Porteous during their time in Cornwall.

Matt Porteous: The Royal Photographer

Matt Porteous, a photographer based in Jersey, has received several royal commissions from Prince William and Catherine in the past. His work includes behind-the-scenes moments from Prince Louis's christening, Christmas cards, and official royal portraits. Porteous's images for the Wales family often capture candid, informal moments, as seen in the latest birthday and anniversary photos.

Princess Charlotte's Place in the Royal Family

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 elder brother Prince George. She has two brothers: Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 8. 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. The family's Easter break in Cornwall provided the setting for the new photographs and video.

A Tradition of Birthday Portraits

The release of a birthday portrait has become a tradition for the Prince and Princess of Wales, offering the public a glimpse into their children's lives. The images are typically taken by a trusted photographer, often during family holidays or at their home. The Wales family has previously shared portraits for Prince George and Prince Louis's birthdays, as well as for special occasions like Christmas. The choice of a casual, outdoor setting for Charlotte's 11th birthday portrait reflects the family's preference for natural, unposed images. The video montage adds a dynamic element, showing Charlotte engaged in playful activities.

Public Interest and Royal Visibility

The birthday portraits and videos generate significant public interest, as the royal children are rarely seen in official engagements. The Wales family carefully controls the release of images, often sharing them on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. The posts receive millions of likes and comments, reflecting the enduring fascination with the royal family. As Charlotte grows older, her public appearances are expected to increase, though her parents have emphasized their desire to give their children as normal a childhood as possible. The recent portraits and video offer a carefully curated glimpse into her life, balancing public curiosity with family privacy.

The bottom line

• Princess Charlotte turned 11 on 2 May 2024, with Kensington Palace releasing a new portrait and video from the family's Easter holiday in Cornwall.
• The portrait was taken by Matt Porteous, a photographer who has worked with the Wales family on multiple occasions.
• Charlotte is third in line to the British throne, after Prince William and Prince George.
• The birthday celebration follows the first birthday of the family's dog Otto and the 15th wedding anniversary of Prince William and Princess Catherine.
• Charlotte was last seen in public at the Easter Sunday church service in Windsor.
• The Wales family continues a tradition of releasing casual, candid portraits for their children's birthdays.