PRINCESS Charlotte is celebrating a special milestone today – her ninth birthday – and the royal family have released an adorable photo in honour of the occasion.
The sweet daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton could be seen beaming from ear to ear in the shot, and a body language expert said the photo proves how “confident” she is.
Speaking to Fabulous, Judi James said: “This is such a confident and grown-up look from Charlotte who has moved on from the childlike trait of standing straight and awkward in front of the camera and who has opted instead to strike a pose that looks assertive and relaxed, with a smile that is less of a fun grin and more of a signal of warmth and empathy.”
The body language professional added: “Her lean creates a series of body angles but the way she has chosen a high wall to lean her elbow on suggests a quiet desire to dominate and take the lead.
“The lifted arm also creates one pit-bare gesture that is another sign of confidence.”
Judi said the photo also demonstrates Princess Charlotte’s natural “leadership.”
She added: “Her head tilt though shows a desire to be liked, too, suggesting a mix of personality traits that could make her a very popular leader in life.”
The photo showed Charlotte posing in a garden wearing a floral blouse paired with a denim skirt, navy jumper and red cardigan.
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted the cute snap, which was captured by mum Kate, on their Twitter account on Thursday morning.
Doting parents Kate and Wills wrote: “Happy 9th Birthday, Princess Charlotte!
“Thank you for all of the kind messages today.”
The third-in-line to the throne is understood to be celebrating her special day with her parents and two brothers George, 10, and Louis, six.
According to royal author Claudia Joseph, the young royal will have a “low key” birthday this year, and Prince William could step up with a very important part of the day.
The Princess of Wales is currently recovering at home following her planned abdominal surgery in January, and following her cancer diagnosis, which was revealed in March.
The royal expert told Fabulous:“Usually Kate will stay up into the early hours and make the children’s cakes.
“It depends how well she’s feeling, I imagine whether she will do that, or William might even make the cake, for all we know.”
Her lean creates a series of body angles but the way she has chosen a high wall to lean her elbow on suggests a quiet desire to dominate and take the lead
Judi James
As the Easter holidays have finished, the young princess will be spending the day at £7,000-a-term Lambrook School with her siblings, but will celebrate whens he returns to their family home, Adelaide Cottage.
Last year’s birthday photograph of Charlotte showed her wearing a blue and white striped jumper cuddling family pet Orla, a black cocker spaniel.
The photograph was taken in the gardens of the Windsor Estate in Berkshire.
Charlotte’s latest pic comes just weeks after Louis celebrated his sixth birthday.
The poignant meaning behind Princess Charlotte's name
PRINCESS Charlotte was born on May 2, 2015, at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, and we’ve seen her grow into a sweet “mini-me” of mum, Kate.
She was brought into the world in the infamous Lindo Wing, and weighed 8lbs 3oz.
Her full name – Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Wales – has some very sentimental ties.
Her middle names are those of both her late grandmother, Princess Diana, and her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
Kate captured an image of her youngest child at Windsor before posting: “Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis!
“Thank you for all the kind wishes today.”
Brave Kate is currently undergoing preventive chemotherapy after being given a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Kate, 42, told how her health scare had come as a huge shock and that she and William “have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family”.
The Prince returned to work following the Easter holidays when the family spent quality time with their three kids.
The loved-up royals recently celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary.
More from Kate’s emotional message…
- Kate reveals she’s being treated for cancer
- Kate told George, Charlotte and Louis ‘I’m going to be ok’
- Charles ‘proud of Kate’s courage’ after brave statement
- The Princess won’t return to royal duties until she’s cleared
- ‘William is by my side’ says Kate in shock cancer statement
- Kate’s diagnosis ‘was reason Will pulled out of service’
- Live updates as brave Kate opens up on cancer diagnosis
- Princess Kate’s emotional video statement in full
An unseen black and white photo was shared of the couple relaxed and smiling on their big day in 2011.
The pair celebrated away from the spotlight, after Kate asked for “time, space and privacy” while she completes her treatment.
She praised her husband for his support during “an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family” in an emotional message to the nation last month announcing her healthnews.
“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance,” she said.
