Princess Charlotte Is Mom Kate Middleton’s Mini-Me in 11th Birthday Portrait
Princess Charlotte is one royally fashionable birthday girl.
The daughter of Kate Middleton and Prince William turned 11 on May 2, with the royal family marking the preteen’s special day by releasing an official portrait following the annual tradition.
In the photo shared to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account, the birthday girl was all smiles as she posed in a flower garden wearing a red and black striped sweater paired with blue jeans.
As the royal couple captioned the photo alongside a birthday cake emoji, “Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday!”
But the tribute to Charlotte didn’t stop there. After all, Kate and William also shared a video of their little girl bonding with the family’s new puppy Otto.
In the clip shared to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account May 2, Charlotte can be seen cuddling with her family’s adorable new addition on a boat before playing with seashells on the beach.
The young royal also showed off her sporty side as she threw a ball for her furry friend to fetch.
“Thank you for the lovely birthday messages for Princess Charlotte,” the caption read, “11 today!”
And the heartfelt post comes only a few days after William, 43, and Kate, 44, shared another sweet image of Charlotte, this time alongside her brothers Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 8. In the candid shot—which was posted on Instagram on April 29—the royal family can be seen smiling while posing together in the grass.
Indeed, William, Kate and their children had something to smile about, as the family portrait was posted to mark the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary. While the family wore neutral and muted-colored outfits, a closer look showed Charlotte rocking a colorful accent: an icy blue manicure.
Another occasion the British royals celebrated recently? William and Kate’s youngest child’s birthday. The British royals marked the now-8-year-old’s special day on April 23, posting Prince Louis’ birthday portrait on Instagram with the caption, “Happy birthday, Louis! 8 today!”
And while Louis is only 8, he’s already looking like he will be his father’s twin. In the photo, Louis can be seen smiling as he posed with his arms crossed over navy blue quarter zip sweater. And his parents didn’t stop there, sharing adorable behind-the-scenes footage of Louis’ birthday photoshoot. The royally sweet video featured him running down a beach and jumping into the ocean.“Thank you for all the birthday wishes for Prince Louis,” William and Kate captioned the Instagram video. “8 is great!”
Until the future king and queen have another major milestone to share, read on to learn all of the royal news from the year so far.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Arrested
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The arrest came amid renewed controversy over Andrew’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. (Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.)
Aaron Chown – WPA Pool / Getty Images
Prince William and Kate Middleton Break Silence on the Epstein Files
The Duke and Duchess of Wales spoke out amid the release of millions of documents in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, sharing their support for the victims of the late convicted sex offender.
“I can confirm The Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations,” a Kensington Palace spokesperson shared in a statement obtained by MS NOW Feb. 9. “Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
Marius Borg Høiby, Son of Norway’s Crown Princess, Arrested Ahead of Rape Trial
Marius Borg Høiby—the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and step-son of Crown Prince Haakon—was arrested Feb. 1 for assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order, Oslo police confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press.
The 29-year-old—who does not carry a royal title or official duties—is being kept in detention for up to four weeks over risks of reoffending after the Oslo district court granted the request. His attorney Petar Sekulic told the outlet that they are considering appealing the decision.
Høiby is expected in court Feb. 3 as part of a separate indictment regarding four alleged rapes between 2018 and 2024, as well as two alleged acts of violence against a partner and violating a restraining order.
His defense team addressed the allegations in a statement to the AP, saying that Høiby “denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence.”
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Cartier
Flora Vesterberg, Queen Elizabeth’s Cousin, Announces Pregnancy
Flora Vesterberg, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II‘s first cousin Princess Alexandra, announced that she is pregnant with her and husband Timothy Vesterberg‘s first baby.
“Delighted to share that Timothy and I are expecting our first child,” she wrote on Instagram Jan. 19. “We’re truly over the moon.”
Photo by Brook Mitchell / AFP via Getty Images
Prince Harry Appears in Court for Lawsuit Against U.K. Tabloids
Harry appeared at London’s High Court Jan. 19 for the start of what is expected to be a weeks-long trial against Associated Newspapers—the media group that publishes the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, and Mail Online—over allegations of unethical newsgathering tactics
Other stars including Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost are also taking aim against the publishing company in the lawsuit.
Associated Newspapers has “vigorously denied” the claims, according to the BBC.
Instagram/Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrate 10 Years Together
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated ten years together by sharing a romantic black and white video of themselves dancing in their backyard.
Set to Olivia Dean’s “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” the couple revealed that the clip was recorded by none other than their 4-year-old daughter Lilibet. Alongside a camera emoji, Meghan—who also shares 6-year-old son Archie with Harry— added in the caption of the Jan. 16 Instagram post, “cred: our daughter.”
The couple also shared a throwback photo from their first year of dating. In the adorable snap, the pair embraced each other during a nature-filled getaway.
“When 2026 feels just like 2016….,” Meghan wrote in the caption. “You had to be there.”
Photo by Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images
Princess Irene of Greece Dies at 83
The Greek royal family’s private office announced Jan. 15 that Queen Sofia of Spain’s sister died at the age of 83.
As the statement read, “It is with deep sadness that the Greek Royal Family announces that HRH Princess Irene, beloved sister and aunt, passed away on Thursday, January 15th 2026, at 11:40 local time, in Zarzuela Palace in Madrid surrounded by loved ones.”
Her funeral was held Jan. 19 at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens following her death, with the burial at the Royal Cemetery of Tatoi.
Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Kate Middleton Celebrates Her Birthday With Moving Message
On her 44th birthday, the Princess of Wales shared a message on the power of nature to heal.
“Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration,” Kate said in a voiceover alongside footage of snowy landscapes in her Jan. 9 video. “Where the stream slows just enough for us to see our own reflection, to discover the deepest parts of ourselves, alongside the whispers and the pulse of every living thing.”
She added, “I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am. For the rivers within us flow with ease, fears washed away, cleanse and purify, come to peace with our tears and discover what it means to be alive, to be at one with nature—a quiet teacher and a soft voice that guides in memory helping us to heal in.”
(Photo by Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Kate Middleton Makes Surprise Appearance With Prince William
The Princess of Wales marked her first public appearance of 2026 as she joined her husband during an engagement at the Charing Cross Hospital in London. The outing in support of healthcare workers came almost a year after she announced she was in remission following her cancer diagnosis.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Leave a comment