While some tween-aged kids hate it when their parents make a fuss for their birthday, when you’re the daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton, a fuss there will be. The couple’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, turned 11 on May 2, 2026, and the occasion was marked most publicly—with a pair of Instagram posts from her parents’ 17.2 million-follower account.
In the photo for the post, a casual and chic Charlotte poses among a bed of daisies, wearing a striped sweater and jeans. “Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday!” reads the caption, followed by the birthday cake emoji.
As opposed to last year, when Kate Middleton took the birthday snap, Princess Charlotte’s smile was captured this year by Matt Porteous, a photographer to the younger generation of royals for over a decade.
A few hours later, Princess Cate and Prince William unveiled a video of their daughter, in which she can be seen petting the family dogs and writing a message in the sand using seashells, without ever losing her smile. “Thank you for the lovely birthday messages for Princess Charlotte, 11 today!” the caption to that post reads.
The granddaughter of King Charles III has long delighted the public, royal fans, and photographers alike. Appearing with her family at major events in the royal calendar, such as Easter and Christmas masses, Trooping the Color and the Princess of Wales’ Christmas concert, the avid sports fan, occasionally slips into the stands at the Wimbledon and other events. Other interests include ballet, piano — she performed a duet with her mother last December — and Taylor Swift. Princess Charlotte, a “huge fan” of the American artist, even met her in the dressing room at Wembley stadium during The Eras Tour.
Apart from these rare public appearances, the young girl spends her days at Lambrook private school. Located in Berkshire, ten minutes from the Wales residence, the school is also attended by her brothers. “Charlotte is so kind and friendly and the other children adore her,” a source told Hello. “ She’s kind to the kids in younger years and she’s very popular.”