This year, William and Kate elected not to share a new image of their daughter to commemorate the day. It's the first time since George and Charlotte were born that we haven't seen a new photo released by the Palace. I understand the decision was made because we saw Charlotte at the Lindo Wing and new photos of the Princess will be shared with the public at Harry and Meghan's wedding and Trooping The Colour in June. The Palace posted a tweet wishing Charlotte a happy birthday and thanking those who sent good wishes this morning.
Hello! reports:
'The reason for this is likely rooted in William and Kate's determination not to overexpose their children at such a young age, with special consideration given to the fact that this is such a busy year for the royal family, and therefore the little Cambridges.
William and Kate go to great lengths to secure privacy for their children, and the annual release of birthday photographs has been a clever way to satiate the public's desire to see the young royals as they grow up. However, given that George and Charlotte made a very rare public appearance just last week, as they arrived at the Lindo Wing to meet new baby brother Prince Louis, the need to release a new birthday image of Charlotte this year has been somewhat negated.
What's more, it's highly likely we will soon be treated to a new family photo to celebrate the birth of Prince Louis – with George and Charlotte almost certain to feature. To celebrate Charlotte's arrival in May 2015, William and Kate shared a series of photos taken by the Duchess herself, showing George cradling his new baby sister – and the first family photos of Prince Louis are likely to follow a similar pattern.'
As Charlotte bids farewell to two and say hello to three, it's been quite a year since her 2nd official birthday photo was released.
Last May, the Princess played a very special part as bridesmaid at the Berkshire wedding of her aunt Pippa Middleton and James Matthews. In less than three weeks, Charlotte is expected to take on the starring role once again for Uncle Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle at Windsor.
As part of the ongoing Heads Together campaign, Prince William was interviewed by Alastair Campbell for British GQ. The spread featured a new black and white photograph of the Cambridges relaxing at Kensington Palace as they watch George, Charlotte and Lupo play.
In June, Charlotte made her second Trooping The Colour appearance.
A peek at the crowds.
These royal events can be exhausting...
In July, George and Charlotte accompanied their parents during the Poland and Germany tour.
Hello Berlin!
The Princess received a matching bouquet to match her mother's.
The departure wasn't entirely smooth sailing. Charlotte took a tumble...
Back in Kate's arms, it wasn't long until the resilient toddler was smiling again.
The 2017 Cambridge Christmas Card.
We saw a wonderful shot of Charlotte arriving at Gan-Gan's, better known as the Queen, for the annual pre-Christmas luncheon.
On 8 January, Princess Charlotte marked an important milestone - attending her first day at Willcocks Nursery School. The adorable images were taken by Kate at Kensington Palace before she and William dropped their daughter off for her first day. They are gorgeous shots and captured Charlotte's personality wonderfully. The Princess looked cute as a button in her burgundy coat and shoes.
Charlotte has been attending Willcocks on a full-time basis since - morning classes run five days per week, with afternoon classes held on three days.
On 23 April, Charlotte got the best early birthday present she could have hoped for in the form of a little brother. William brought George and Charlotte to meet the new arrival.
There is the most adorable video of Charlotte exiting the car and straightening her little dress. She's already quite the little lady :)
Vous la voulez, la voilà. William, George et Charlotte (côté public) en arrivant lundi à St Mary's. (via krisvirdias instagram) #RoyalBaby pic.twitter.com/zk1MJqivrk— RoyalSourceFR (@RoyalSourceFR) April 27, 2018
Charlotte was full of personality and appeared to take the media attention in her stride.
A very regal wave from the Princess.
Wishing the Princess the happiest of birthdays!
************
We also have an update on Prince Louis! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have formally registered the birth of Prince Louis. Yesterday morning, Prince William signed the birth register at Kensington Palace, witnessed by a Registrar from Westminster Register Office. A short time later, the birth certificate for His Royal Highness Prince Louis Arthur Charles was released. The document lists William and Kate's occupations as 'Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom'.
The Queen was spotted arriving by helicopter at Kensington Palace yesterday; it's safe to say she met her great-grandson Louis during the visit. Her Majesty, wearing a tweed skirt, pink jumper and headscarf, was pictured clutching a small posy of flowers as she made her way to the Palace. I imagine they were a gift for Charlotte's birthday.
'The Queen – dressed in headscarf, tweed skirt, pink cashmere jumper and sensible lace-up shoes, and carrying her Launer handbag – laughed and joked with police protection officers. Walking unaided, she glanced towards the growing crowd and smiled before she was driven, a blanket on her knees, in her official Range Rover the short distance to William and Kate’s apartment.
Although she was there to meet Louis, her visit would no doubt have gone down well with her other great-grandchildren, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who both adore her. George, four, memorably named her ‘Gan Gan’. No doubt Gan Gan also had a present for Princess Charlotte, who celebrates her third birthday today. The Queen had been staying at Windsor Castle with Prince Philip, who is recuperating from a hip replacement, when Prince Louis of Cambridge was born on Monday last week.
She was one of the first people William, 36, telephoned with the news that his third child had been delivered safely, but until yesterday afternoon he and Kate had not had the chance to introduce him to her. It was decided that they would wait until the Queen returned to London for the start of her working week.
Chris Ship believes the Duchess of Cornwall met Louis yesterday and Hello reports Prince Charles will meet Louis for the first time today:
'Prince Charles has flown into London to meet his new baby grandson Prince Louis for the very first time. He is understood to have chosen the date specifically so he can also see his granddaughter Princess Charlotte as she celebrates her birthday. Charles will enjoy some precious hours getting to know William and Kate's newborn son at their Kensington Palace home, where little Louis is being cared for by his parents. He is expected to wait to see Charlotte when she finishes nursery, in celebration of the little girl turning three, and is likely to also take the opportunity to see his eldest grandchild, Prince George, once the school day comes to an end.'
************
Finally, we have a timely giveaway to share. To celebrate the birth of Prince Louis, Claudia Bradby Jewellery has launched a new, personalisable pendant to celebrate the occasion.
The £95 Mother & Child pendant features their solid silver ‘Kate’ nugget alongside a baby cultured pearl charm in a choice of white, pink or silver pearl colours.
Additional pearl charms can be added to represent the wearer’s own family and loved ones. You can view the collection of charms here.
The silver nugget used in the pendant is the same charm that was designed by Claudia in collaboration with Kate Middleton, as she then was, while she was working for the fashion brand Jigsaw. Claudia added: " It seemed fitting that, ten-years on from the original design, we use the same nugget in this necklace, timed to coincide with this happy event. We’ve been delighted to note that Kate and her sister, Pippa, have been spotted wearing a number of pieces from our collections in the years since." Below, the Kate Silver and Rose Quartz earrings and matching necklace Kate designed with Claudia.
Kate wearing Claudia's much loved Camellia Necklace.
More from Claudia's team:As well as their past collaboration, Claudia has a personal association with the Duchess of Cambridge. During her husband, Tom Bradby’s, time as royal correspondent for ITV she was able to get to know Kate personally and was a guest at William and Kate’s wedding. This connection made it natural for Claudia to want to celebrate this happy event in the life of the royal couple, by designing a piece with a special sentiment that would make a meaningful gift for all mothers.
“As a mother of three myself, I was so happy for William and Kate when they announced that she was expecting again and wanted to mark it in some way,” explains Claudia. “There is nothing as meaningful to a mother as a gift that reminds her of her children and the customisable element of this necklace means that it can have special significance for all mums, and can be added to as a family grows. The shared history behind the design makes it all the more special.”
Claudia and Tom arriving for Pippa and James Matthews wedding last year.
To enter the competition, simply leave a comment on this post, I'll choose a winner randomly over the weekend. To view the Mother and Child necklace collection please click here.
If I win I would love the Silver Pearl please. This is a lovely give away
ReplyDeleteCharlotte is such a cutie pie! I'm excited to see more photos of her at H & M's wedding and hopefully a few with her brothers!
ReplyDeleteI can't belive that little munchkin is already 3! They're getting so big! A good thing they've provided us with another little one so we dont have to despair just yet! I'm looking so much forward to this summer. It's gonna be great!
ReplyDeleteI love the Queen in her "personal look" and the handplucked flowers in her hand!!
While it is disappointing not to see a new photo of Charlotte, I am looking forward to getting a glimpse of the children in the upcoming weeks.
ReplyDeleteClaudia has some lovely pieces. I like the idea of being able to easily add to the piece as the family grows.
Take care,
Claire in the U.S.
Happy birthday little Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little mystified-- looking at Berlin, the Christmas card, and the Lido wing visit. Why do you suppose Kate chooses a nearly identical dress repeatedly for Charlotte?
I had the same question but I figured there wasn't a variety of dresses appropriate for royals. Something like George wearing shorts and shirt every time. I am looking forward to when they become older and start experimenting more freely with their fashion options.
DeleteI think Kate is just being very traditional--even timeless--in her choices for Charlotte's dresses. I loved the smocked style, and flowers, for my daughter when she was Charlotte's age, so I also had a lot of dresses that were pretty similar. George is also dressed in a similar traditional fashion almost every time we see him.
DeleteMaybe they try to establish a „working uniform“ for the kids? Same with George and his shorts/socks. I would imagine it helps them to distinguish situations and might find it easier to know when a certain behaviour is expected. Charlotte is still very Young the almost identical dress is a better repetition to this then several very different dresses. I am sure we will see more variations as she gets older.
DeleteKate seems to do the same- her working clothes are very different from her private looks. It would be fine to wear more pants and jeans on engagements but she chooses not to. That makes me believe that skirts/dresses and coats are a conscious choice of work attire.
C.
I do agree with C. that they are establishing a "working uniform." I hadn't really thought of it in those terms before, but I have thought before that perhaps if the public gets used to always seeing Charlotte in a flowery dressy dress, then she won't be recognized as easily in her normal, daily life of wearing "regular" clothes like pants, jeans, shorts and t-shirts (garments which I assume she must be wearing in private).
DeleteSuch a beautiful necklace! I love Claudia's pieces!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Princess Charlotte!! I have been an avid follower of this blog since 2014 and it never disappoints.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte looks adorable in all her photos. I'm looking forward to seeing the Cambridge children at Trooping the Colour.
Happy 3rd birthday to Charlotte! Time flies with the kids growing up! Iˋm sure she will enjoy her special day!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I was a bit disappointed not to get a new photo of princess Charlotte to mark her birthday. Also the other european royal families release photos from their children. I think the public would only be pleased with new photos! And I donˋt think this would reduce the childrends privacy. Of course this is my personal opinion. And the Cambridges can do whatever they want ;-)
Lovely post. Would love to win the necklace and I’d buy another pearl for my two kiddos! Can’t wait to see Kate again at the royal wedding. What a busy spring/summer for the royal family.
ReplyDeleteI always get a kick out of Kate’s “occupation”—Princess of the United Kingdom! I love how that’s on the birth certificate and I think I’ve seen that on George and Charlotte’s as well when they were published.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen getting out of the helicopter with flowers—love it! I just finished watching The Crown and I have a newfound respect for her. (I’m from the US so I basically knew nothing about her other than she is a queen.)
I know hundreds of companies are making special edition products to celebrate the new baby, but it feels much more special, I’m sure, when it’s your own friend, whose come to your wedding and your sisters wedding, doing it. I wonder if Claudia sent Kate a necklace?
🌸 Natalie. I hope Claudia has sent Kate those special pieces over the years including the one commemorating the Queen’s special milestones.
DeleteHappy Birthday little Charlotte! Here's hoping for New pictures with baby Louis!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Charlotte! 💐 I have a dream: Just a family foto - the 5 "Cambridges" with the Queen. It's a wonderful time in their family history and for us too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the timely updates :). Love the look of this necklace. DG
ReplyDeleteI loved the photos of the Queen arriving by helicopter to visit Prince Louis with the little bunch of flowers. It was the sweetest grandmotherly gesture, just wonderful to see! Wishing Charlotte the happiest of birthdays 🎂
ReplyDeleteCharlotte seems to be a lovely girl! I hope she has a great bday.
ReplyDeleteI think the Duke and Duchess are right in not sharing a new photo of Charlotte. Their children are already and inevitably exposed to the public.
Now, about the giveaway, that's such a beautiful piece and a lovely way to celebrate the family!
Thank you very much for the opportunity! The other pieces from the brand are also wonderful!
Happy Birthday, Charlotte! I love seeing how she's changed since she was born. Thank you so much for having this giveaway. Claudia's designs are so lovely.
ReplyDeleteI do understand that the Duchess is busy now and unable to take photos. It was great to see HM going for a visit, maybe a sign that Prince Philip is recovering on schedule with no problems. I love the soft colors in the Claudia Bradby Jewelry Collection.
ReplyDeleteThe birthday photos have always been taken well before the actual day. Also several of George's were not taken by Kate. I'm sure she is quite busy though.
DeleteI know it's been said before but Charlotte looks SO much like her Gan-Gan!
ReplyDeleteWow.....three years old already! Time flies so quickly! Happy Birthday to sweet little Princess Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see pictures of Charlotte. I look forward to a few more from the wedding and with Louis.
ReplyDeleteAnd the necklace is a nice way to have a mother's necklace without all the different color birthstones. This one matches everything!
Cant wait to see her at the upcoming wedding and the new family of five photos. Charlotte is a "little me" of the Queen for me.
ReplyDeleteI love Claudia Bradbury's jewellery! I tend to only comment when there is a competition but I'm a regular visitor to your blog (and a number of other Royal-related blogs) but it was the DoCam who first got me interested in 'royal watching'!
ReplyDeleteLRUP xxx
It has been so exciting to see little Charlotte over the year, she's grown so much! The due date for our first little peanut is today - it would have been fun for him to share the little princess's birthday, but I think he's not quite ready to meet the world yet :) Thank you so much for the giveaway opportunity - it's such a sweet idea to celebrate the newest Cambridge baby!! I love your blog - thank you for all your hard work and great posts :)
ReplyDeleteMazel tov and best wishes for the arrival of your new little alarm clock. :-). May is a lovely time of year for a birthday; you’ll have lots of options when it’s time to plan the future parties. <3
DeleteI’d like to opt out of the necklace giveaway, please. My kids are 23 and 22 this spring (March and April respectively and yes, that *was* an accident; how did you guess?) and it’s not something I’d want. I do hope it goes to one of the younger mothers on the blog. <3
DeleteGood luck with your little one coming into the world! I’m being induced tomorrow. I will always remember Charlottes birthday now!
Delete🌸 Elspeth. Prayers and best wishes to you. :)
DeleteStay in touch, okay?
Claudia’s jewelry is so beautiful. It’s simple yet classy.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely post. In a way, I’m glad they didn’t release a new photo. You’re right- we’ll be seeing her (and plenty of new photos) again in no time at all.
ReplyDeleteI also love this jewelry. It’s delicate, feminine, and beautiful.
Annie
NY, USA
hmm i love even with or without picture hmm happy birthday princess charlotte. Hmm i guess the one their children. Privacy i hope will see them on uncle harry wedding to meghan as bridemaid ans pageboy
ReplyDeleteGreat post Charlotte! It made up for not having an official picture released for Charlotte’s bday!
ReplyDeleteLisa M.
Great post as usual, Charlotte. Yours is the best site for timely and interesting news. A question: Have you decided if you're going to have a live blog for the royal wedding? I hope so. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHello Marie,
DeleteYes! A Live Blog seems the best way to cover it in a timely fashion and then I'll do separate posts in the afternoon. Thank you for your interest :)
Adorable Charlotte I would like to see her more....can't wait to see her at the wedding. ....
ReplyDeleteLike most others, I was looking forward to a new picture of Charlotte. I can’t help but wonder if part of the decision was not to overshadow Harry and Meghan’s wedding as Kensington released information about the carriage today. Bummer, but happy birthday to the young princess!
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of Claudia’s earrings I literally wear almost daily. This post makes me thing of getting my mom something for mother’s day!
Happy birthday, Princess Charlotte! That is so sweet that "Gan-Gan" brought her some flowers. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlotte for this gift! I would love to win this beautiful pendant, especially as I'm expecting my second baby boy :)
ReplyDelete🌸 Congratulations, Kyilidia. :)
DeleteI hope Kate and Louis are doing well. Sounds like lots of visitors. I can’t imagine having Prince Charles and the Queen for a visit a week post partum! So hard to imagine, but it is her in laws so hopefully she’s very comfortable with them now :)
ReplyDeletePretty necklace and cool concept with the pearls. I’d love one representing my 2 little ones!
Thanks
Jackie
I agree that it would have been nice to see a new picture of Charlotte but suppose it's been a busy time for the family.
ReplyDeleteThe Scandinavian royals release photos with no sign of harm to their children - I really don't understand this unpleasant grudging attitude of William and Kate - dear public, you pay for our security and other things - but we aren't going to give a photo because you just saw our children the other day. It's very bad form and bewildering as Charlotte would be unaware of whether a photo is released or not. To me, privacy means allowing the children to go about their lives without having photographs taken in public - it has nothing to do with professionally released photos.
ReplyDeleteIf I sound grumpy, it goes to the core of the most important thing for royals for me - graciousness.
After all, not every granny is able to fly in on an expensive helicopter trip. The queen doesn't like helicopters so I suspect she did it because she is staying at Windsor with Philip and planned to return there. One wonders why William just couldn't put Kate and baby in the car and take them to Windsor. I know mums who were taking their newborns to the shops a week after birth - because they had to do the shopping.
Agree about the photograph, Julia. It is a small gesture but it promotes a lot of goodwill.
DeleteThe Queen usually returns to London on Tuesday from Windsor. I assume she just landed at a different palace this time.
DeleteIt’s so obvious by some comments that some people have never had a baby and have no idea what your body goes through and does in the first week or two. It’s not the least bit pleasant or comfortable.
The Queen may have had other business to do in London so combined trips/visits.
DeleteYou make very valid observations. Especially about the queen. I kept waiting to see their car leave and head for the visit especially since Prince Philip can’t travel.
DeleteI try to always make a positive assumption so I was going with that the queen asked them not to bring the kids and she would visit vs them not wanting to travel. But it could be either since we don’t know for sure.
It is not obvious to me that some people chose or not to have a baby. But I remember Kate sitting in a comfy car and riding to the countryside called Berkshire a day or two after having George. So I suppose if that journey made the cut, visiting the elderly queen could be also possible. But that is only me.
DeleteAnd I agree with Kate about goodwill after all it is only a photo.
Charlotte shared this interesting article on Twitter yesterday. I realize it has to do with the wedding, but I think it gives some insight into the relationship between the William and Harry and the press.
Deletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/01/world/europe/uk-royal-wedding-tabloids.html
I completely agree with you, Julia :)
DeleteDont know about Julia, but having had three babies with difficult labour, including intensity care, emergency surgery, etc. I can say that 9 days after giving birth was pretty much everything business as usual. Women are amazing ;) not everyone recoveres the same speed obviously, but considering that Kate traveled with George and Charlotte after even less days, Im almost sure this car ride would have been easily possible. I guess it was the Queens decision to do it that way.
DeleteI do not understand the "exposure to the public" arguement though. I would have understood if William would not take the kids to the hospital for this reason. But publishing a picture? Seems even a bit rediculous.
Honestly i hope they start exposing the kids a bit more in a smart way, not because I want to see them, but because such an isolation does not seem a reasonable way for growing up for royal kids.
Anett – it has nothing to do with choosing to have a baby or not. It’s simply that pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding are things that you have to experience to truly know what it’s like. No amount of friends talking about it or reading what others went through can give you a correct idea. Not to mention that every pregnancy, baby and body is different, so just because one person has issues or has an easy time does not mean that you or other women will have the same experience.
DeleteI remember making equally oblivious comments before I got pregnant the first time and it’s embarrassing to remember how preachy I was. I know a lot of women in real life and online who have had similar ephiphanies after having kids. Women really are each other’s worst enemies sometimes.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and I feel like I am still on the fence. Part of me agrees totally with Julia—that this is a missed opportunity not only to build good will but just to be kind to those who support your family—both financially and as a monarchy. It would be gracious to commemorate an event as important as a birthday.
DeleteThe other part of me sees, though, that the release of photos has not been met with goodwill. They have happily released family and birthday photos only to have them picked apart and mocked mercilessly—I seem to remember a big fuss about Charlotte’s eyes being a different size in last year’s photo—as if that isn’t true of all of us! Couple that with what happened just last week—Kate VERY graciously appears on the steps on Lindo wing just hours after giving birth having very respectfully dressed the part of a duchess for this appearance. To say that one is emotionally fragile after giving birth is a bit of understatement, but she came out and performed her duty with grace and a smile. Then so many articles followed simply bashing her for looking too perfect and being a bad role model to new mothers! Not to mention the horrid articles that compared her dress to one from a horror movie (just because it’s true doesn’t make it helpful or necessary, and if it’s not helpful or necessary, it just doesn’t need to be said!). Top that off with the negative response to their chosen name for the child, and I can see that maybe you don’t want to expose yourself (or your daughter) to further comment at this time.
I know that, sadly, they have to be very thick skinned in the positions they hold, but at the same time, I just wish the world at large could be a little more kind. I think they struggle to be open with the press and to some extent the public, and the constant negativity wouldn’t really make me want to open up and share more if I were in their shoes.
I really respect and admire your defense of the monarchy as an institution, Julia, and I agree they have a job to do to serve the British people whom they represent. I know they have help and comfort above many of their subjects. But I do sometimes feel a great deal of sympathy for the private people they are and the constant scrutiny they are under.
It's not the easiest thing I'm sure - although Kate managed it when she wanted to go someplace.
DeleteBut being 96 going on 97 with a hip replacement isn't the easiest thing either. And the queen who is 92 doesn't like to fly in helicopters - and normally doesn't on her return to Buckingham Palace - this was obviously something special and unfortunately brought as much bad publicity - using a helicopter for such a short space -as good. It's possible Philip doesn't care about seeing the baby or isn't well enough - maybe the queen does plan to go back to Buckingham Palace although I suspect she's staying at Windsor to be with Philip. But it seems like it could have been handled better. And whilst I'm sure Kate is tired, she has help at a level few of us have - when I had major surgery a few years back - and mum was too ill herself to help, and Leo was working, if I wanted a cup of tea, I had to drag myself downstairs to get it - or do without which is mostly what happened. Kate rings a bell and it's brought to her. So I am thinking of other women - all the women I know who have recently had babies or are facing health problems and have minimal help and many responsibilities. Who don't have Norland nannies to take care of their other children, and help with the baby, and staff to do the cooking. cleaning and shopping.
I don't mind royals have greater privileges but I expect them to use them wisely. The gift of a truly wise royal is to never make us think about their privileges by balancing those with service.
I am taking the analysis of Hello! with a grain of salt.
DeleteT in TX - the pictures have been "picked apart" because that's just how the internet works. But, almost all the comments I saw on this blog for example, even if slightly critical of Charlotte looking photoshopped into that one family pic for ex, were never saying they found it very upsetting or unacceptable. Esp a things like a blog - when a picture gets posted, esp if we don't see them for an engagement or something soon before/after the picture release, we just have nothing to talk about and so naturally end up analyzing the picture. Like 90% of any "criticism" of their pictures has had an implied if not explicit "but we are still grateful for the picture" as well.
DeleteAdditionally, the scrutiny that their pictures get is the same attention that is the only reason their charity work is more powerful than if I go volunteer in a charity. It's the same reason that something as everyday and normal as a woman having a baby suddenly gets world media coverage when it's a royal woman. It's also the same reason they are able to continue living on taxpayer funding etc, and Kate has the luxury of having over TWENTY doctors related to giving birth on call for a month before her due date until she gives birth.....if you get special attention, it's going to be good and bad. They can't get so upset about ppl mostly just analyzing pictures out of boredom or just having nothing else to analyze in regards to them and they cant use that as a reason not to release pictures. I've seen only a few (relatively speaking) comments with criticism actually going far enough to say they think the picture is unacceptable or w/e. And the extremes always exist for everything. Can't punish everyone who is grateful for the actions of a few. And remember, taxpayers don't just pay for their public lives, they pay for their private lives as well, yet they still get to keep 95% of their private lives private still. In return, we ask that just very occasionally, they share a bit of their private lives with us, so it feels like they are inviting us in which is both a nice feeling, the right thing to do, and gives them a substantial amount of goodwill for very little effort/work or any kind of real sacrifice. So they shouldn't stop just bc they don't like the reception to the pics unless they want to actually make their lives private by paying for their own housing and security etc bc the pictures aren't a deal with the public like "we will release as long as you say nice things", but rather a deal of "we will release as long as you keep paying for everything".
But seriously, the scrutiny is the inevitable result of the internet. Now anyone can say anything about w/e to anyone on the web, so of course that has caused some over-analysis or w/e. And the Cambridges are comparatively very lucky for public figures bc they get a big pass from the press 90% of the time and face scrutiny about their pictures much more than things like their workload or actual analysis into Kate's speeches or charity efforts (yes workload has gotten some attention but much less than others), which I suspect would be much tougher to deal with and could expose some interesting truths they may not want out. Look at what Michelle Obama dealt with in just 8 yrs, or Hillary Clinton over several decades. In comparison, some scrutiny over pictures is really really very benign.
Also as for the Queen visiting - most articles seem to indicate they decided to wait for her to meet Louis for so long so that she could time a visit with when she would be flying into London for the beginning of her work week anyways. So it probably wasn't any extra work for the Queen. And even if it was, the fact that she still chooses to spend her non-summer Balmoral time at Windsor and then commute into London for BP events and such seems to indicate that she is more than up to the commute. Otherwise how/why would she be spending weekdays in London and weekends in Windsors as the usual schedule, with all the commuting between the two that would require?
DeleteAnd to be honest, while yes I'm not disagreeing that many/most women are usually able to handle something like a KP-Windsor length drive 10 days after giving birth, and as others have mentioned Kate has done longer drives much sooner after giving birth before too, and ofc many women not only can do it, but are forced into much more bc of economic reasons and such....but that being said, I don't think that's a reason Kate on its own for Kate to not make the trip with Louis. INot when the Queen is clearly able to make the commute, and if she doesn't like helicopters, she could have been driven which she is also clearly fine with. Or I'm sure she would have made the decision to wait. It'd be one thing if we knew Kate had insisted there was no way she or the baby should be making the trip at this point despite both being as healthy as when she made previous car trips with her other newborns, but we can't know they didn't offer or anything, so it seems unfair and not based in anything we know for fact to say this was selfish on their part. For all we know, Kate said exactly what you said Julia, that women have to take their 10 day old babies to the grocery store with them and such and so she can easily come to Windsor with Louis, but the Queen said absolutely not, theres no reason to interrupt the routine of such a tiny baby already when it isn't necessary.
As for Philip - he didn't see George until I think sometime between 1-3 months after his birth bc he was recuperating from surgery then too, but much more serious procedures, and was at Balmoral, and that delay was despite George being a likely future monarch and first child for his grandson. His own wife almost never visits him in the hospital - this past surgery as far as we know, only one person from the BRF visited the whole time PP was in the hospital and it was Anne, after he had been there 10 days already without anyone coming. So that would seem to indicate he probably has some different ideas of sentimentality and when family must visit etc and probably is fine waiting to see the baby and thinks that is what should happen.
Both Kate and William have spoken of Kate's doing the cooking; Kate has been photographed doing her own shopping. As for ringing a bell for tea...I have no idea what the basis in fact is for that statement.
DeleteI also don't recall the Cambridges being quoted as saying Kate was too tired to take pictures, so I am at a loss as to what inspired that whole Kate is a toff and has no right to refuse us photos because she is tired comment.
We have seen many photos of Charlotte within the last year and I do not feel as though they cheated the public by not releasing a new one. Besides, I am sure we are in for quite a treat when they release photos of Louis (and G&C).
DeleteAnd I think it was perfectly reasonable and sensible of the Queen to visit at KP rather than William and Kate making the trip to Windsor with George, Charlotte, and Louis. And I get that they went to Berkshire when George was born, but I think that arriving at mom and dad's (and staying there with all the comforts of a cozy home) is a little less complicated than the fuss involved with a visit to Granny in her castle. And did anyone else notice that the Queen didn't exactly object to her arrival at KP being photographed? It didn't look as though anyone forced her into taking a helicopter; it's not like she doesn't have some major fly-miles on her rewards card. :-)
I agree on the photo topic. A twice a year photo (Christmas, birthday) isn’t a break of privacy. How the media and the public live out their interest in their life is not going to change if you release a photo or not. And no one expects a photo from their private dining table.
DeleteThere will be picture with all three siblings soon I guess, so maybe they use that to get some new portraits for the older children too?
I cannot agree on the issue how active a woman has to be after giving birth. We frankly have absolutely no idea how fit she feels. It is so different from mother to mother and from birth to birth. There seems to be a pattern that she is more willing to make the hustle for her own family- but who knows. Her parents definitely don’t have the schedules as the the Queen or Charles and seem to be happy to make time on short notice. This might give a wrong picture when looking from the outside.
C.
Perhaps it's not Kate haveing trouble traveling but Louis? My first 2 were dreams in the car and we did trips with them soon after they were both to visit grandparents but my third screamed anytime she was put in a carseat. Maybe he is not sleeping as well as the other two and Kate isn't willing to be seen just now. There could be many reasons, kids are not easy at that age no matter how much help you have.
DeleteT in TX, thank you for your thoughtful comment. You make valid points and I agree: they are not only royals, they are human and it's impossible to please everyone. As to Julia's last sentence - "the gift of a truly wise royal is to never make us think about their privileges by balancing those with service" - I'm afraid this would be true in the ideal world, not in ours where a lot of people will think badly of anyone who is better off than themselves, let envy lead their thoughts and judgements and find faults with everything the royals do and say.
DeleteWhilst there have been talk about and occasional jokes about Kate doing the cooking, the reality comes in the help adverts - from early on William and Kate have had a cook-housekeeper and probably a great deal more staff. (At one point, I believe the cook was Italian - don't know if she's still with them.) Kate may occasionally mess about with the cooking with the children - but that's only going to be when she feels like it. In London, the majority of their help may come from the palace, as it was for Diana. In addition, The Telegraph just had an article about how much Norland nannies do.
DeleteThe main problem I had with the queen and the helicopter is a brought a great deal of negative publicity due to the cost. It may be this problem wasn't anticipated and the palace was more trying to make the point the queen was visiting.
My main problem with the lack of photo is less because I care and more because of something that particularly bothers me about William and Kate every so often - what I call, the won't, can't, don't. I'm a great believer that especially in this day and age, royalty should always be presented in a positive way. But we often here from William and Kate what they Won't do, what they aren't going to do - the perspective is negative. This is not a good thing. As I said, it seems grudging.
Royals are in a unique position because they exist as part of the State - they aren't rich by their own earnings, and they aren't celebrities (who the public enjoys despising.) I think envy is far overused when it comes to criticism and is much too easy a word - people have expectations for royals - or else there is no reason to have a royal family. They aren't there for the fun of it, certainly not for their own pleasure - they are there to represent. It has been the beauty of the queen that she has never let the public doubt that her responsibility is to them. But once she is gone, it will become a different, more questioning world.
Happy Birthday Charlotte!! Love the necklace - beautiful design.
ReplyDeleteVictoria
Agree with everybody that this is a lovely post. The Mother and Child necklace is very beautiful and would be a touching gift. The pictures of Charlotte are quite charming!! Absolutely love the pictures of the Queen and like her "casual" look!! What a busy and wonderful time for the Cambridge's! Happy Birthday Sweet Charlotte!! cc
ReplyDeleteCharlotte is just lovely. I cannot imagine what it is like to deal with a sea of photographers all the time, and to have lived the experiences of William and Harry. But I will certainly look forward to an updated photo of the children!
ReplyDeleteI understand the reason behind no photo of charlotte today, there will be quite a few in the very near future, and I cant imagine topping the photo of her waving as she walked into the lindo wing! love how casual the queen looked for her visit, and bringing flowers no less, imagine the queen brining you flowers! hope our little family is adjusting to the new little prince. Thank you for the give away charlotte, Claudia's pieces are beautifully done, who wouldn't love that necklace! great post as always!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a great post Charlotte. I love the pictures that you included and am really looking forward to more photos to come of the family of five!
ReplyDeleteHappy 3rd birthday to Charlotte!! My daughter shares the same birth date as Charlotte. Looking forward to seeing the children for Harry's wedding and the Trooping of the Colour. The jewelry is beautiful that you are giving away.
ReplyDeleteLoved all the recap photos of Princess Charolette! She is so adorable and seems very confident and grounded. Looking forward to the months to come with two weddings, Trooping the Colour, Prince Louis' baptism...
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Julia. I really don’t understand it. Why not share the joy of their children with the public? It’s not like they are being harassed by paparazzi. It is disappointing that they won’t “throw us a bone” in the form of a picture.
ReplyDeleteBeth in SF
The children have absolutely been harassed by the paparazzi - William & Kate even released a statement about it that detailed all the ways the paps hide and stalk George asking for it to stop.
DeleteYes, and many of us including Charlotte have supported them against the paparazzi - not publishing their photos or looking at them, and the situation seems to have improved. So why not thank the public by releasing controlled photos. I'm certain they have many photos (I don't know any parents who don't.)
DeleteThere are times released statements of William and Kate sound rather patronising. Why not just release a photo - no comments about it - no, you just saw the children so you don't get another chance, no we're frightfully busy (with our Norland nanny and all the help we have) - no silly attempts at humour that often seem out of touch - partially because I think William and Kate are out of touch with normal lives.
Just do it. That would reward the legitimate press and blogs and public - and create good will - something that would do William and Kate no harm.
I think the idea was that publishing a picture is not comparable to being harassed by paparazzi.
DeleteTidefi
Paparazzi have nothing to do with releasing controlled pictures. Releasing a picture is probably the easiest way to please the public. Why not take this opportunity?
DeleteTidefi
🌸 20:55. Very good point. A missed golden opportunity for sure.
Deletewe just saw both of the children about a week ago!! and will be seeing them in the very near future, so I'm not so desperate, sad and upset and feeling a huge loss of good will, that there isn't a new one today, as I said above, nothing and I mean nothing, could top the photo of her waving on her way into the lindo wing in my book!! that photo is beautiful! much better than a portrait!
Deleteand as for the photographers, I'm not sure that you should reward folks for doing the right thing, ie - Not stalk a child, folks should actually just do the right thing, but I guess that is where the world is now, and that's what I think is sad:(
happy to be a dog without a bone:)
I have to say I mostly agree here. I know I don’t have all the facts and details into their personal lives, but I think it could only serve to bolster a good relationship between William and Kate and the press had they simply released a photo.
DeleteThank you for the lovely post, Charlotte! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Princess Charlotte's pictures from her births until now. I understand the Cambridges' decision not to release a new picture right now - they've had a busy time and we saw the kids just last week and will see them again soon. I loved the photos of HM visiting and would love to see her with the children. So far, William and Kate have been following the "pattern" of HM and PP - the oldest child a boy, then a girl and then another boy! 😀 Happy birthday, Princess Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteI "forgive" them too, Zora. :-) We have a balcony appearance and a royal wedding to look forward to; it's not like we're in the middle of a dry spell.
DeleteI have never been to England. Thank you for sharing pictures. You keep it friendly and highlight happiness. Lots of family celebrations and proud moments taking place this month from meeting the newest family member to Charlotte's birthday, and the upcoming weddings. The jewelry is elegant and timeless and speaks to all who celebrate life's blessings.
ReplyDeleteFrom the heart of Texas, the Texas Hill Country.
Happy birthday to Princess Charlotte! I love this blog after being introduced to it by my daughter. I especially enjoy the insider information like The Queen was named Gan Gan by Prince George. It doesn't get any cuter than that. The pendant and earrings are lovely.
ReplyDeleteMonique - Connecticut
I know not everyone agrees with me, but I think it is pretty ridiculous that they didn't release a photo of Charlotte for her birthday. The whole "this is a busy month" and we will be seeing a lot of Charlotte won't hold up 15 years from now. None of us will remember that May 2018 saw a lot of Charlotte. Having a portrait (not a photo of Charlotte in motion walking from a car to a door) from around the same time each year for each of the royal children allows us to see them grow up and commemorate their birthdays in a more official way.
ReplyDeleteI am a new mom myself, and I'm not suggesting that Kate take time away from baby Louis to photograph Charlotte, but a photo from a month ago or even 3 months ago would have sufficed. OR, they could have had Chris Jackson do it. Or any photographer for that matter. Or William!
They are public figures. Releasing an annual photograph is not overexposure. Really disappointed!
Yes, and especially where they did release a third birthday photo for George. Are they not going to release a third birthday photo for Louis or will it just be Charlotte who fell through the cracks?
DeleteUnfortunately the middle child usually falls through the cracks.
DeleteAbsolutely agree.
DeletePersonnaly i dont mind not seeing a new picture, but i feel quite a bit sorry for Charlotte. She does not care now, but she might later. They knew it is her birthday on the 2nd of May, they could have prepared a picture one, two or even three months ago. No need for such excuses as "busy month".
I hope she enjoyed a nice day today, nevertheless.
Tidefi
I believe the family will have Charlotte's 3rd birthday photo taken and kept just as they have lots of other pictures of her. After all, she's a middle child but also the only daughter! I don't think she will have a shortage of photos; with a mother as keen of photography as Kate I suppose she'll have a nice collection as she grows older. The thing is, IMO, that just over a week ago there were a lot of cute pictures of Charlotte as William took the kids to see the new baby and there's no need to release a special picture. The natural pictures are often better than official portraits and Charlotte's photos from last Monday are lovely, showing her from a close distance. I don't believe W+K were thinking: "The public has had enough of Charlotte - let's not give them another picture!" I'd rather think they were modest enough not to come with yet another picture of their cute daughter (who stole the show last week as lots of people have observed), knowing that in the near future there will be more pictures of their children together. Just my opinion.
Delete🌸 no offense to Kate and all but I agree, 20:21.
DeletePrincess Charlotte might not mind that now but might later perhaps. And there isn’t really any good excuse for not having one ready, either a little ahead of time or a week or so prior. Kind of a curiosity when you think about that and the whole naming the baby scenario. Que pasa?
Totally agree Nina NYC, and also will add - the 10 seconds from car to hospital didn't actually get too much coverage or "exposure" from the press bc it was so fast and William didn't even take a second on the steps to turn around with the kids and try posing with them for a second or two, and with Kate leaving 20 mins after they came, no one had time to do separate stories or coverage about the siblings visiting and it got lumped in and mostly just lightly mentioned in most articles focusing on Louis/Kate (which is how it should be of course). But so pics of George visiting the hospital after Charlotte's birth made some front pages but neither he or Charlotte had their pics make any front pages for Louis's birth. And the usual tabloids that cover the royals have always had the cambridge children on their front pages for their birthdays but today was the first time that a cambridge child's birthday wasn't mentioned at all on a single front page of a major paper in Britain. Over-exposure doesn't seem to be much of a risk at the moment.
DeleteI agree with others that I am sure they have a 3 year old Birthday picture (probably tons) of her that are kept in the family.
DeleteI agree with Zoe, maybe there was a photo taken and they decided not to publish it, I really don't think that charlotte has been slighted and maligned. so many things we just don't know, but seems so many conclusions drawn. just happy with what we got last week!
DeleteI agree, Zora. I think a photo was taken and kept in reserve, due to the number of photos already taken and anticipated with future events. The royal family from time to time on various occasions have later released photos taken during childhood years.
DeleteDon't fret, SG-the Princess need not feel left out.
Of course, after that adorable two year old birthday photo there were very unkind criticisms of her eyes. Why encourage this type of remark? I don't think W&C are being selfish at all. Considering the way they have been treated by the tabloids at times, I could understand their reluctance, if that is actually the reason why no published birthday photo today- other than not wanting to be seen as using the obviously charming Charlotte for PR purposes.
I’m sure Charlotte has had her photo taken with her birthday cake for each birthday for the family album. It’s those photos she’ll have at home and cherish. I seriously doubt any royal cares or keeps track of when or which photo was released to the public when they were a child.
DeleteDo people seriously think that because we didn’t see it that a photo doesn’t exist?
Zora, I absolutely agree with your reasoning. :-)
DeleteFor sure Charlotte has lots of photos for her third birthday. William said once that Kate takes pictures of the kids everyday. Just nothing was released to the public. It would have been easy for them to do it.
Delete🌸 I was disappointed also, Beth. But I consoled myself a little by remembering that we did just see Prince George and Princess Charlotte at the Lindo Wing. And, we will see them at the wedding. We will also see them and the Queen and their parents and the Middletons in Prince Phillip Michael’s Official Christening photo at the Palace and most likely at the Christening itself.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been nice though to have a third birthday photo to keep the photo chronology going. It is a mystery to me why they didn’t do such a seemingly simple thing. Just like not choosing baby names before the baby’s birth so as to no delay in that. Oh to be a Royal courtier and know more of the whys and wherefore of such things. :)
Lol!!! I think you are in denial about the name, surfer girl.
Deletemaybe they wanted to see the baby and then name him, make sure it fit. ive heard folks do that. I hope Kate or her people really do not read this blog, come to her senses? about Her babys name?? really.
DeleteI wold have loved a new photo of Charlotte, but I understand the decision. We saw her last week, I expect there will be a sibling photo for Louis’s birth next week and in two weeks Harry’s wedding. After that Trooping and then the Christening.
ReplyDeleteI’d love to win the necklace.
Happiest of 3rd birthdays to sweet Charlotte! As a mom of one, and soon-to-be three (we're due with twins later this year!), I completely understand wanting to limit your children's exposure no matter your family circumstances. I respect their decisions as parents - we all might do things differently, but we don't truly know each other's day-to-day life so I think it's important to keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for the giveaway opportunity - like I mentioned, we're about to add two more to our family later this year and would love to be included!
Where does the time go? Happy Birthday sweet Charolette! Looking forward to all of the summer events. I'm even looking forward to the arrival of her little cousin in October.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Charlotte... And what a lovely necklace. Would fit perfectly my own family of three :-)
ReplyDeleteThis post was great. I often feel like we don’t see the kids much but looking back as a whole we saw the children quite a decent amount last year. I think William and Kate are striking a nice balance in reality.
ReplyDeleteMy only wish, and it’s a wish lol, is they released more photos the first year. Babies change so rapidly it would be lovely to see the first year. It seems Kate and William allow more pictures and events after the first birthday. And I wouldn’t think they need to trot a newborn out to events but a quick updated snap on their Instagram through the first year would be dreamy.
I by no means think they should or fault them for not, it’s just a selfish wish lol!!
We do end up seeing the kids a decent amount as a wholeish- I'd say they were downright stingy to the point of it being excessive when it came to pictures of George in his first 18 months (terrible quality pictures from Michael Middleton, then after christening there was nothing-no Christmas pictures or anything the whole first yr until Australia tour by which time he had changed enough to be already walking) . But I thought they were better after Charlotte's birth about both children for a bit, but it seems to have stopped in past year and a half ish. Now the issue imo is recent pictures/public appearances are mostly/all packed into summer time, and I wish they'd at least spread I out more so we have no idea how the kids have changed at all for 8+ months at a time. For example they didn't release a single recentish picture of Charlotte for the entire 2nd half of yr from July till Jan this yr and nothing recent for George at all bw very beginning of september last yr all the way to the quick 5 secs last week in late April that just happened.
DeleteSuch a lovely necklace! Would be perfect to celebrate my own new arrival...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, simple, elegant jewelry. It was so sweet to see HMQ.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute little princess. As a mother of 3, I completely understand that there has been little time for a new photo of Charlotte. Beautiful photos don't just happen, they take planning. And we saw such a great glimpse of all the kids last week.
ReplyDeleteI was hopping for a duel baby Prince / Happy Birthday Princess Picture. But I guess I understand.
ReplyDeleteAs always, a wonderful post. It was nice to see the collection of Charlotte photos from the past year.
ReplyDeleteThe necklace for the giveaway is quite lovely. I would wear it often.
Kerrie from Indiana
Charlotte is such a darling. I would be so happy to win the giveaway....
ReplyDeleteHow I love these "years in review" posts! A delight! Thank you for all your hard work. Your blog is the very first tab I open before work each morning, to start my day on a happy, positive note!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed this post as well as the live coverage of Prince Louis' arrival!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely updates, Charlotte! And for the chance to win a treat! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post, and such a special giveaway in honor of Charotte’s Birthday! It is so much fun watching the Cambridge family grow!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte is such a cutie!!! Thanks for this lovely post!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see little Charlotte as grows up!
ReplyDelete🌸 I would love to win the necklace also. ❤️
ReplyDelete🌸 Actually. I concede my “entry” for the necklace to others here. The requests from the expectant moms and moms who have just given birth here really spoke to me, lol. No contest, lol. In my book, they win. 😊
DeleteSuch a sweet necklace.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteWatching them grow up has been such fun. They seem to morph a little each time we see them too. In fact I had never really seen much of a resemblance between Kate and Charlotte which made me feel a bit sad for both of them. But something about Charlotte’s facial expressions at the hospital totally reminded me of Kate. She seems like such a lovely little girl, and spunky too!
ReplyDeleteHas Kate's father been to visit the baby yet?
ReplyDeleteHello Ali,
DeleteA reporter (I think it was Rebecca English) said Mike was spotted at KP last week.
Thank you for always being so on top of all these special days and milestones. What a joy to watch this lovely young girl grow into all she is meant to be...including a big sister! I know everyone is enjoying meeting baby Louis and creating special memories in his first days. Good times!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Charlotte! Can’t wait to see more photos over the coming weeks. So much to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteShe’s adorable and growing so fast!! I can’t believe Charlotte is already three! Happy to see HM come to visit!!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this necklace for my sister, who just had a little girl! Thanks
ReplyDelete🌸 Congratulations to your sister, Cynthia. You are now an aunt. :)
DeleteI can't wait to see the photo of the 3 Cambridge children. <3
ReplyDeleteYes!! Im sure we will see the group picture in a few months, but we may see them before that at Louis's communion. is the name of the Godparents released yet? Happy Birthday Princess Charlotte!!XOXO
DeleteI'm not at all sure the Mail article saying Prince George originated the name "Gan-Gan" is correct. I've read in multiple places the BRF has used it for many years to mean "Great Grandmother." Supposedly when young, Prince Charles referred to Queen Mary that way and Prince William used to address the Queen Mother. I also think I've read HM's other great-grandchildren use the term. Some are a few yrs older than George so it's really unlikely they picked it up from him as older children rarely copy two yr olds! I do remember when Kate said George used that name for HM. But I don't think she said he made it up although I can see why it might have been assumed he did based on the quote from Kate.
ReplyDeletelizzie I bet you are correct.
DeleteI thought Gan- Gan was a term used by Queen Victoris’s Grandchildren
DeleteLove the necklace! Would make a great Mother's Day present!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful necklace and collection to celebrate a beautiful little princess! I would love to win the necklace to celebrate my 4th little princess (due in August)! I hope to see more photos of the royal children in the coming weeks!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking forward to this post for sweet Charlotte's birthday & looking forward to seeing the coming photos of their family of 5 as well as of her being a part of Harry and Meghan's wedding. So much to look forward to this month!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking forward to this post for sweet Charlotte's birthday. What a month May will be! Can't wait for all the coming photos :)
ReplyDeleteI love how spunky and strong Charlotte seems to be!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the pictures of Charlotte, ahe is such a cutie! The fact that the Queen just helicoptered in to visit is priceless.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article!
Would love the necklace!
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias Charlotte!! Un collar precioso para regalar el día de la madre, que en España se celebra el 6 de Mayo.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping for new pics of Charlotte, but oh well. We got to see the kiddos recently, and I’m sure we’ll see them soon.
ReplyDelete🌸 The Queen flying in with her little bouquet is heartwarming. Maybe Charlotte sadly didn’t get a “3yr. old birthday” photo but the Queen flew in just to see her. And it made history.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that the Queen had other business as she was dressed uber casually for her. Any castle to castle business is probably already taken care of just out of years of routine. No. I think the Queen just flew in to see one of her (reportedly) favorite little girls. 💐
I think it is rather remarked and probably remembered as "Queen fies in to see the new prince" ??? At least by the general public.
DeleteI agree, SG. The Queen was dressed like the loving GAN GAN that she is. So nice to see her visiting her family.
DeleteYES! Just consider the reality of the Queen's helicopter landing in the backyard on your third birthday! OMG.
DeletePerhaps she stopped at Nottingham Cottage for a visit with H&M. Just passing through.... :-)
What a great post today! I loved reviewing the pictures of Charlotte. Wow! The Giveaway is awesome. It's a beautiful necklace. Thank you for this opportunity to win one ��
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post, Charlotte. I didn't realize we really have a lot of pictures of little princess Charlotte to enjoy. I thought it especially generous of the Cambridge family to share the children with us when the new baby was born. They could have brought them in the back door, but let us enjoy their arrival. I feel they are very accommodating when it comes to pictures.
ReplyDeleteyes, and really, they didn't have to bring them to the hospital at all to "visit" their mother and baby brother. She was home two hours later anyway. This was purely to allow the public to see them and we got a recent photo of Charlotte when she started nursery school. They didn't have to do that. I don't begrudge the fact that there's no photo to mark her birthday.
DeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY, Princess Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always. Thank you Charlotte! I would love to win this beautiful necklace.
ReplyDeleteTally Hoe All! Have a break in shooting for the film, so I’m enjoying High Tea at The Fairmont Vancouver! Truly Thinking if you All! They just delivered me a delightful serving of “Eaton Mess” :) Walked Down To “Canada Place” today with loads of memories of W&K’s Tour with the kiddos! I forget.... was that where Kate wore that red & white dress or was that where they departed with George & Charlotte in those now iconic departure photos? Help Dear Chalotte?? Can’t wait to take a moment later to read the full post! Happy Happy Birthday To Dear Sweet Princess Charlotte! Ta Ta For Now!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
BeccaUSA :)
Very jealous as I am stuck in Texas!! I loved that red and white dress---one of my all-time favorites on Kate.
Delete🌸 okay. High tea (lifted pinky finger type High Tea)?
Deleteand in a Commonwealth country? AND an Eton Mess? I am definitely jealous now. 😉
Cheerio, Keep Calm and Continue Having Royal Fun
(what next? Crumpets and fox hunts?) 😉
What a wonderful collection from Claudia Bradby-just in time for Mother's Day here in the United States (May 13 this year). I appreciate that the necklace in part descends from Kate's collaboration with Claudia when she worked at Jigsaw. It's extra special because Claudia is married to Tom Bradby, who did Will and Kate's official engagement interview (That interview introduced me to the future Duchess of Cambridge!). I would add the "The World is Your Oyster" charm.
ReplyDeleteDisappointed there was no new photograph, but at least we won't have very long to wait to see Charlotte in all her royal cuteness - only a little over two weeks to go till Harry and Meghan's wedding. I know Harry and Meghan will be in a carriage procession, but will the bridesmaids/page boys have a carriage as well? I loved seeing the images of Harry and Pippa in the carriages with all of Kate's attendants. We know Charlotte has the royal wave ready...
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that by not providing a birthday portrait of Princess Charlotte they will encourage the paparazzi and at the same time disappoint those of us who are in favor of the monarchy. In any case, it is their choice as parents.
ReplyDelete🌸 JLM. I agree that it was a missed golden opportunity for easy goodwill.
DeleteThank you so much for the post and for the giveaway, Charlotte! Princess Charlotte is growing into an adorable little girl with plenty of confidence and poise. :) I used to think she was the Queen's mini-me, but I see more and more of Kate in her as time goes by!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to note that Claudia Bradby is still selling the pieces that she and Kate designed together.
🌸 true, Lauren. It is even more amazing that there is apparently still a market for those pieces after seven years. :)
DeleteCharlotte is such a pretty wee girl. Its nice to see her dressed in such lovely dresses.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for new pictures of the little one!
ReplyDeleteA very special little princess, she has such great personality. The Queen is so much like any other great grandmother.
ReplyDeleteFirst, congratulations to all the moms and moms-to-be!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing Charlotte at the birth of Prince To-Be-Named Later (that's for you, SG). We will see her at the wedding. I think that's sufficient. I'm sure Kate has lots of photos for the family but I think it's unwise to be too regular. I'm sure some people obsess and can be dangerous.
The royal family has extraordinary privileges---Kate has an incredible nanny, magnificent homes, a wonderful family on both sides. But she is still a regular human like the rest of us. I think she would prefer to be just a stay-at-home mom married to a wealthy but not famous man. If she wants time off to enjoy her new family, then either fire her or don't complain. She apparently is expected to work into her 90s, so she has time left to do good. :)
I think the Queen enjoyed the excitement of flying in. In addition to Will's whole family, she may have seen Harry/MM and Eugenie/Jack.
She did marry into a job with expectations, Allison. Her occupation is Princess of the United Kingdom, after all. Right there on the birth certificate for all to see.
DeletePerfectly written blog today! Even good times can be stressful, a new baby included. Perhaps we will see a few home done photos a little later. Even with the added help, Catherine's hours are full! Thank you for your stories!
ReplyDeleteI just posted regarding Catherine's busy life but I failed to mention the necklace. Would love a chance on it as I have very deserving persons who would love it! Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteI was looking forward to a new Charlotte picture but we will see them a lot coming up. I love the new necklace-perfect for Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteI wonder now if they won’t release a picture for George’s 5th birthday. It’s definitely a busy season for kids. We’ll probably get a picture of them with the baby later this summer and possibly a baptism appearance along with the wedding and Trooping the Colour.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to the little Princess! So fun watching her grow up!
ReplyDeleteAfter a long day at work, it was wonderful to come home and find a new post that’s chock full of happy news. :) Happy Birthday to Princess Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the pictures of the Queen dressed in casual clothes! And yay for a giveaway! Those necklaces are really pretty. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates, they make England seem a little closer...Celebrating these happy occasions in Southern California. Wish I was there, there’s so much to celebrate. Welcome to Prince Louis and Happy Birthday to Princess Charlotte. Also, Happy Anniversary to Their Royal Highnesses, William and Kate. Looking forward to the Royal Wedding. The blog is the next best thing to being there!! The necklace would be a wonderful memory of all these joyous events...Best from “across the pond” :)
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait to see the new family photo
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Princess Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteAs for William and Kate not releasing a photo, I thought it was a little strange/silly. It’s silly not to release an annual birthday photo of Charlotte just because we saw her last week at the Lindo Wing — if that was, indeed the reason — because of course they’d be at the Lindo wing! Their new brother was just born. To me, it’s only natural that we’d see them arriving. I know it’s a very personal, special time for the family, yet they are public figures and were at a hospital, so it just seems natural to me that we’d see them. In my opinion, it’s also a natural thing to release annual portraits of the royal children. I don’t think that’s over exposing them at all, especially since the public doesn’t see them very often throughout the year. I know that I don’t have all the facts or details of their lives and that William and Kate can do what they want, but I do understand where other posters are coming from when they say they feel this puts them in a less favorable light, especially knowing how William has always felt about the press.
🌸 Becca H. :) I think it is nice to have the birthday photos taken consistently just as a simple Royal photographic chronology even though there are other photos taken on other days. I think many of us had school pictures taken each year and they are very amusing, lol, in a good way. :) Even though we most likely have other childhood photos, school photos have a special place in our histories, yeh?
DeleteEven though William and Kate were kind enough to let the children visit the Lindo Wing through the front door and not the back door, a birthday photo is special in it’s own right. :)
I would love to win this necklace! 😍 My first (a princess) is due end of the month 🤰🏽 So exciting!
ReplyDelete🌸 Exciting, Chrystal. Congratulations. :)
DeleteCharlotte is such a cutie pie! I love this necklace!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this necklace for my sister, who is expecting her first child!
ReplyDeleteHow nice for the queen to time her visit for the birthday!
ReplyDeleteSG I am sure Charlotte got a Birthday photo, most likely 50 of them. :):) All for their personal photo albums. Good for them. No idea why the Queen flew in...not terribly important. A new born and 3 year old are not to focused on their great grandparents....
ReplyDeleteI always enjoying reading the posts on this blog!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte is so adorable happy bday to her. I loved watching her wave as she walked into hospital to meet her baby brother. I saw her when she came with her parents to Vancouver and she was so adorable!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte,I love your post and I always follow it. Happy birthday to Charlotte! From Italy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for your amazing work. It is truly a gift we receive as your readers. As someone who is home bound, I feel humbly blessed to be a part of a world-wide community of people who have the same interest. Please know you are “an offering” and a light which pushes the darkness away on many occasions. God’s peace.
ReplyDelete🌸 Blessed. DKB surely has been an oasis for all of us I think. Charlotte is making the most of all her God given gifts in the area of (most excellent, historic) Journalism. HalleluYah.
Delete(praying for miracles for you Blessed)
You always have the best updates - thank you. Charlotte looks a real cutie.
ReplyDeleteDear Charlotte, i would like to enter in the competition for the necklace, not for myself but for my mum, even if my sister and i are grown up already i know she would love onz as a gift.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. The idea that you can add pearls for future children is so symbolic and adorable.
ReplyDeleteCamilla from Italy
Happy 3rd Birthday to dear Princess Charlotte…who seems born to play the public role that is ahead for her.
ReplyDeleteHappy writing to Charlotte of this blog…who is a princess in her own right.
Great post, Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe princess Charlotte is already 3! She looks so lovely and confident with the crowds. I hope she keeps this confidence for all her life, because I believe it must be very difficult for them to be on the soptlight all the time!
Thank you for the giveaway too! This is a great one! The pieces are beautiful and have lovely meaning! Congrats for this great blog (I think it is the best for royal fans like me)
Camila
I just had a thought! What if Charlotte, in the way of toddlers and preschoolers, tripped and fell or ran into something and had a huge egg/bruise on her forehead? Or if she somehow managed to give herself a black eye with something? Even with all the nannies and help in the world, kids manage to hurt themselves. While my daughter has never given herself a black eye, I've seen several of my friends' kids get them accidentally. And my daughter has given herself a big forehead bruise right before some family Christmas pictures. Anyway....if this happened right when the official three year old pictures were scheduled, they could have still taken the pictures, but decided not to release them. Imagine the criticism they would face if a picture was released showing their child with a normal injury? I suppose you could photoshop the injury out....
ReplyDeleteAnd now that I've spent too much time thinking about this imaginary scenario, I should add that I really don't care whether or not a new picture of Charlotte got released. I just couldn't help but think about it as I was reading through some of the comments here. :)
Love the necklace. And the Charlotte retrospective is great.
ReplyDeleteHello Charlotte and fellow followers to the blog, wonder if someone can explain to me - I was looking at Prince Louis’ birth certificate, why is HRH at the front for William’s name and at the back for Kate’s name? So HRH is like a prefix to their title and not like Sir or Mdm prefix that always appears before the first name? Thanks!
ReplyDelete