On May 2nd, Princess Charlotte turned eight years old and, as per tradition, a new official portrait was released by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to mark the occasion. The portrait, taken by the Duchess herself, shows Princess Charlotte sitting in a white wicker chair in a floral white dress with a blue and pink pattern. The photo was released on the eve of Charlotte’s birthday, and the Duke and Duchess took to Twitter to wish their daughter a happy birthday.
Princess Charlotte is the second daughter of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and was born in London’s St Mary’s Hospital in 2015. She is currently third in line to the British throne after her father Prince William and her older brother Prince George. Charlotte is the first female royal to maintain her rank in succession, thanks to updated succession laws.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are known for their love of photography and have frequently eschewed traditional portraits for more informal family snaps. This year, two portraits of Charlotte were released to mark her special day. The second one was shot by photographer Millie Pilkington, and shows Charlotte hugging the family’s Cocker Spaniel dog, Orla, in a field of flowers. Pilkington had previously taken photos of Prince Louis for his fifth birthday earlier this year.
The release of the new photos came ahead of a busy week for the royal family, as they prepare to mark King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday. Celebrations have been somewhat muted due to the ongoing pandemic, but plans are still in place for a televised ceremony at Westminster Abbey, followed by a parade and fly-past.
Meanwhile, protests continue in France over President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms, despite the new law having already been signed. Radical protesters clashed with police in several cities, including Paris, Toulouse, and Nantes. Tear gas was used to disperse crowds, and some protesters threw projectiles at the police. The CGT union, which called for the protests, said that over two million people turned out across the country. This marks the first time since 2009 that all of France’s main unions have joined together to protest.
However, for fans of the British royal family, the focus this week is on the newest portrait of Princess Charlotte and the important milestone of her eighth birthday. As she continues to grow up in the public eye, the world can’t help but be charmed by her sweet smile and the adorable photos her parents share with us each year.
