PRINCESS Charlotte’s adorable birthday message featured a sweet hidden nod to the late Queen.
Charlotte beamed from ear to ear as she posed in a garden wearing a floral blouse paired with a denim skirt, navy jumper and red cardigan.
Her mother, Princess Kate, took the adorable photo to celebrate young Charlotte’s ninth birthday.
The photograph was taken in the gardens of the Windsor Estate in Berkshire.
But eagle-eyed viewers may have spotted something important in the background of the sweet snap.
Charlotte is pictured leaning on a garden fence with pink flowers blossoming beside her.
These flowers are are Clematis Elizabeth, which Gardens Illustrated reported is one of the first plants named after Queen Elizabeth II.
Known to bloom in late spring and early summer, it is a “strong climber with pale pink flowers and a delicate scent” and holds a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit award.
Her Majesty became patron of the RHS upon her accession in 1952 and regularly attended the Chelsea Flower Show, the society’s flagship event, over 50 times during her historic reign.
A dedicated patron of the gardening charity, the Queen’s last visit was in May 2022.
Charlotte has always had a strong connection with the ever popular late Queen from the moment she was born.
In 2015, William and Kate honoured the Queen by naming their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
And her Majesty had a special bond with Princess Charlotte right away, Princess Kate revealed in the 2016 documentary The Queen at Ninety.
Recalling Charlotte’s birth in 2015, Kate said, “The Queen was really thrilled that it was a little girl, and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington, she was one of our first visitors here.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted today’s cute birthday snap on their Twitter account.
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 thrown is understood to be celebrating her special day with her parents and two brothers George, 10, and Louis, six.
Charlotte’s latest pic comes just weeks after Louis celebrated his sixth birthday.
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.”
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.
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.
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 health news.
“Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance,” she said.
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEBRUARY 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MARCH 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
MARCH 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
MARCH 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
MARCH 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
MARCH 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
MARCH 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
