Princess Charlotte celebrates ninth birthday

Princess Charlotte celebrates her ninth birthday on Thursday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to release a new image of their daughter on social media to mark the occasion, just like they did for Prince Louis’ birthday last week.

Charlotte’s big day comes as the Waleses navigate Kate’s cancer treatment, with the princess away from official duties since the start of the year.

Kate said in her video message to the nation announcing her diagnosis that she and William “have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family”.

She has a reputation for being feisty compared with her older brother George, and Kate has described the princess as “the one in charge”.

The youngster was spotted reminding George to bow to the coffin of their late great-grandmother the Queen at her state funeral, and she kept Louis in check during a Trooping the Colour by placing her hand over his to calm his over-enthusiastic waving to the crowds from the carriage.

She wore a mini-me version of Kate’s silver bullion, crystal and silver thread headpiece by Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen.

The dress was McQueen with an ivory silk crepe cape, decorated in rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs – emblems which also featured on her mother’s dress.

The Wales family spent quality time together during the Easter holidays following Kate’s public announcement about her health.

It avoided the uproar sparked by the princess’s digitally altered Mother’s Day photo.

She owes her middle names to Elizabeth II and her late grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales, and is said by royal fans to bear a resemblance to both when they were younger.