The Prince and Princess of Wales have another cause for celebration this week - Princess Charlotte's birthday.
The youngster turns nine on May 2 and fans have been looking forward to the annual birthday photo the family release of each child on their special day. However, the Walses broke tradition last week when Prince Louis turned six, and it seems they plan the same approach this time.
That's because the couple usually release images for their children's birthdays under embargo the day before, in what was previously a long-standing pattern. However, last week when Louis turned six, a new picture of the young lad was posted straight to social media on Louis' actual birthday instead.
So far, no new picture of Charlotte has been forthcoming, showing the couple don't intend to revert to their usual tradition. However, just like with Louis, it could be that a new snap of Charlotte is posted to social media on her actual birthday later today.
It is understood the process has been changed due to the unprecedented time the family is experiencing. William and Kate are said to be aware of the fact that they have asked for privacy after the princess revealed her cancer diagnosis. However, last week they did ultimately post a pic of Louis as a way to thank those who had sent birthday wishes.
Like her brothers, Charlotte is largely growing up away from the public glare. She was last seen on an official outing on Christmas Day when the Royal Family made their traditional festive appearance on King Charles' Sandringham Estate to walk to church. She was pictured accepting gifts from well-wishers alongside Zara and Mike Tindall's eldest daughter.
Meanwhile, back in December, she joined George and Louis at the annual Westminster Abbey carol concert staged by their mother Kate. And a few weeks before the festive event, the trio were taken volunteering by their mother, visiting the Baby Bank in Holyport near Maidenhead, where they got stuck in sifting through donated goods.
Since then, the past few months have been an eventful period for the Wales family. The couple took the time to sensitively share Kate's cancer diagnosis with their children, who also include Prince George, 10, giving them time to process the information.
Charlotte goes to Lambrook School in Berkshire with her brothers. It is likely a family birthday celebration will be held after the youngster's school day is over. The princess is William and Kate's middle child and is third-in-line to the throne. She was born on May 2, 2015, at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, weighing 8lb 3oz. She was christened Charlotte Elizabeth Diana at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, in front of family and friends.
Aged three, she made history when younger brother Louis was born as she wasn't overtaken by him in the line of succession due to a change in the rules of primogeniture. Previously, males took precedence over females and Louis' birth in 2018 was the first to be affected by the new changes.