Why did Kate Middleton delay releasing Princess Charlotte's birthday photo? Royal held back snap marking her daughter's 9th birthday a week after doing the same with portrait of Prince Louis

Princess Charlotte is nine today, and fans all over the world who were eagerly anticipating a new picture of the young royal were kept waiting a little longer than they had hoped to see a picture of the birthday girl. 

Today, Kate and William broke tradition for the second time in weeks by delaying the release of her birthday portrait until late morning on the big day. 

Kensington Palace typically releases portraits of the Wales children at midnight to mark their birthdays, but Charlotte's snap - which was captured by her mother - was held back. 

Mother-of-three Kate, who is undergoing cancer treatment, also delayed releasing a snap of her youngest son, Prince Louis, to mark his sixth birthday last month, with the image not appearing until the afternoon. 

The Mail's Rebecca English revealed that the couple had initially decided not to issue a picture of Louis at all given their recent appeals for privacy at such an ‘unprecedented’ time for their family, but changed their minds because they wanted to thank fans for their kind wishes to Prince Louis. 

Wearing a £42 raspberry wool cardigan from Parisian brand Cyrillus teamed with a demin skirt from the same brand, Princess Charlotte grinned happily for the camera.

The Princess of Wales took Prince Louis's birthday snap to mark her youngest child turning six last month

The Princess of Wales pictured holding a camera as she takes part in a a photography workshop with the charity 'Action for Children' in Kingston in June 2019

And in conversation with The Express royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added that once they'd decided to release a photo there were likely a lot of discussions about the best approach, given the furore over Kate's edited Mother's Day photo.

Overall, Richard said the timing could 'emphasise Kate's need for time, space and privacy.'

Describing the 'vexed' issue of her Mother's Day portrait, he described the backlash as a  'highly embarrassing contretemps'.

He added that not rushing out a birthday photo of Louis could also 'emphasise her need for time, space and privacy which she expressed so movingly' in the video message revealing she has cancer. 

Earlier this year, the Princess of Wales detailed how the cancerous cells were discovered, while she was undergoing surgery for a different condition in January.

2022: This image of Princess Charlotte, taken at the Wales' Norfolk home Anmer Hall, was shared to mark the youngster turning seven. Royal watchers noted the resemblance to her father in this image

2021: Princess Charlotte is pictured on her third birthday

She explained that she had not spoken out about it earlier because she wanted to have time to 'explain everything' to George, Charlotte and Louis and assure them 'I'm going to be ok'.

In March, royal fans went into meltdown after Associated Press issued a 'kill notice' on a photo of the Princess of Wales and her three children that had been released for Mother's Day.

It was the first official photo that was published of Kate after she underwent abdominal surgery in January. 

That evening, the Associated Press became the first agency to 'kill' the photo over an 'inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand'.

While AP said there was no suggestion the photo was fake, it retracted it because it said on closer inspection, the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet the agency's photo standards.

The following day, the Princess of Wales admitted that she edited the Mother's Day photo herself and apologised for 'any confusion' it had caused. 

In 2018, Princess Charlotte's birthday photo included a snap with her new little brother Louis

The Prince and Princess of Wales have been spotted searching for a festive fir in Windsor Great Park alongside their two eldest children Prince George and Princess Charlotte (pictured together in December 2022)

A statement from the Princess of Wales said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. 

'I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C'

Two weeks later, the Princess of Wales announced she was battling cancer - amid mounting pressure for the Palace to comment on her condition.

It is believed that the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis on 22 March as this was the day George, Charlotte and Louis broke up from Lambrook School in Bracknell for their Easter break.

The announcement may have been timed so that her children would not immediately face questions in the playground after the news was made public.

The family are reported to have spent the Easter holidays together as they adjust to Kate's diagnosis, which was discovered in post-operative tests following her major abdominal surgery.

In the emotional message, which was filmed in Windsor, Kate revealed the news 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'.

Kate was last seen with her family attending church at Sandringham on December 25, 2023

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, she said: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

'Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.'

Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a planned operation at The London Clinic in January.

The insider also claimed to PEOPLE magazine Kate and William are also prioritising family time as 'having fun together when they can is very important'

She explained: 'In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,' she said.

'The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

'My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.'

The announcement sent shockwaves around the world and came after weeks of speculation - and wild conspiracy theories - about her health. It also createc a fresh crisis for the Royal Family at a time where King Charles is also battling cancer. In January Sarah, the Duchess of York, was diagnosed with skin cancer, just six months after being treated for breast cancer.

However, this week will hopefully be a quiet relief for Kate who has previously discussed how much she loves her children's birthdays.  

The royal has previously said that she's known for staying up late the night before her children's birthdays to whip up a homemade cake for their special day. 

Back in 2019 on the one-off special A Berry Royal Christmas, she told Mary Berry: 'I love making the cake.

'It's become a bit of a tradition that I stay up until midnight with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing and I make far too much but I love it'.

The Waleses were intending to release a photograph for Louis' birthday despite the frenzy over the manipulated family picture issued by Kensington Palace on Mother's Day, sources close to the family said last month.

However, the snap of the beaming young prince has finally been released, with the account wishing him a very happy birthday.

The photo was taken by his mother, the Princess of Wales, who often photographs her children's birthday portraits. 

The caption reads: 'Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today.'

As the beaming prince looks into the camera, he is lying on his front and looks all grown up with his brunette hair swept to the side, and a smart checked shirt.

He appears to be wearing dark trousers and is lying on a fleeced blanket.

The Waleses have released a new photo of Charlotte each year to mark her birthday.

Last year Charlotte was pictured snuggling up to the family's black cocker spaniel Orla - as she recreated her seventh birthday portrait.

The birthday girl dressed in a £23 blue-and-white striped jumper from Boden,  white button-up blouse and pair of blue jeans.

Looking happy and relaxed in front of the camera, Charlotte appears to be lying in a meadow for her annual birthday portrait. 

Although the couple didn't reveal exactly where the photo was taken, it appears to be a very similar setting to previous family portraits - which were shot in the grounds of Amner Hall in Norfolk. 

The image was taken by the photographer Millie Pilkington - whom Kate and William used for Prince Louis' fifth birthday portrait too.

For her sixth birthday, Charlotte wore a Rachel Riley floral summer dress and her widest smile as Kate captures something of her impishness too. Similar traits are shared by the women on her mother’s side of the family.