Princess Charlotte turned 11 today, May 2 2026. The Prince and Princess of Wales marked the occasion by releasing a new photograph taken during the family’s Easter break in Cornwall.
The image, shot by photographer Matt Porteous, shows Charlotte walking through a field of daisies. She is wearing a black and red striped knitted jumper over a blue collared shirt and dark blue jeans. Her brunette hair falls long past her shoulders.
The caption on the official Kensington Palace social media accounts read simply: “Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday!”
Royal fans reacted warmly to the photograph. Many commented on how grown-up Charlotte looks compared to earlier official portraits. Several noted a strong resemblance to her father Prince William in the photograph.
Charlotte was born at 8.34am on May 2 2015 at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. She weighed 8 pounds and 3 ounces. Her full name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, honours her grandfather King Charles, her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandmother Princess Diana.
She is the middle child of the Wales family. Brother Prince George is 12. Brother Prince Louis turned eight last week. Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne.
All three children attend Lambrook School in Berkshire, close to the family’s Windsor home. Charlotte will not be required to attend classes today as her birthday falls on a weekend this year.
The birthday falls during a notably celebratory period for the Wales family. William and Kate celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary just days ago on April 29. Louis’s birthday was on April 23.
Kate has spoken previously about her tradition of baking her children’s birthday cakes from scratch. She said: “I love making the cake. It’s become a bit of a tradition that I stay up ’til midnight with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing and I make far too much. But I love it.”
Porteous is the family’s trusted photographer of choice for major milestones. He shot last year’s birthday portraits as well as several significant family photographs across the Wales family’s recent public appearances.
