Princess Charlotte beams in ninth birthday photo as Kate Middleton gets back behind the camera to take snap

Princess Charlotte paid a sweet tribute to her late great-grandmother as she beamed for a new portrait to mark her ninth birthday.

Her mother, the Princess of Wales, was back behind the camera again to snap an image of her daughter to mark her special day on Thursday.

With flowing blonde hair and her cheeky grin, the young royal looked every inch the perfect Princess, wearing a £42 raspberry wool cardigan from Parisian brand Cyrillus teamed with a denim skirt from the same brand.

In a positive sign that Kate is well enough to be up and about and taking photos, which is one of her passions, she made sure to include a nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II, by posing Charlotte alongside pale pink flowers named in Her Majesty's honour.

The Clematis Elizabeth blooms are one of the first plants named after the late monarch and start flowering June to coincide with Charlotte's birthday. 

With flowing blonde hair and her cheeky grin, Princess Charlotte is every inch the perfect Princess in her ninth birthday portrait

The Wales's daughter also shares a special link to her 'Gan-Gan' because she shares a name with the late monarch.

She was christened Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, after the late Queen and Prince Wiliam's late mother, in July 2015.  

It's the second time in recent weeks that Kate and William royals have broken with their long-held tradition for releasing their children's birthday portraits. 

Kensington Palace typically releases portraits of the Wales children early in the morning to mark their birthdays.

However, in a break from the usual protocol, the pair shared a snap of Prince Louis last Tuesday afternoon rather than at midnight on his birthday - as is customary with new royal portraits.

And it would appear Charlotte paid a sweet homage to her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II (pictured in 2021) , as she posed alongside pale pink flowers named in her honour

She was also in attendance at Elizabeth's funeral in 2022, alongside with her older brother George

For their daughter's birthday last year, the couple released two images of a beaming Charlotte. In one, she gave her mother a gap-toothed grin to mark the occasion 

In another, she was pictured in a blue-and-white striped jumper from Boden as she snuggled up with the family's beloved black cocker spaniel Orla 

They also shared an unseen wedding photo to mark their 13th wedding anniversary. Many were wondering if the future King and Queen will share a new snap of their only daughter, following the fallout from their Photoshop furore earlier this year.

A Mother's Day portrait of Kate and her children, released on 10th March, was pulled by multiple photo agencies after it was revealed the image had been significantly edited.

Less than two weeks later, Kate announced in an emotional video that she has cancer and spoke of the need to protect her young family.

The Mail's Rebecca English revealed that the couple had initially decided not to issue one 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.

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.

For their daughter's birthday last year, the couple  released two images of a beaming Charlotte.

In one, she gave her mother a gap-toothed grin to mark the occasion. With her tousled dark hair and flushed cheeks, it seems that country life at the King’s Berkshire estate, where the family moved to last summer, is agreeing with her.

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

Charlotte pictured when she was five (pictured, left) and six (pictured, right) for her birthday portraits

Previously, Princess Charlotte has shared her birthday pictures with her younger brother Louis (pictured, left), returning to solo portraits the next year when she turned four (pictured, right)

A princess turns one (pictured, left), and the princess turns two, with this sweet photo shared to mark her big day

In another, she was pictured in a blue-and-white striped jumper from Boden as she snuggled up with the family's beloved black cocker spaniel Orla. 

Releasing the images, Kensington Palace said: 'The Prince and Princess of Wales are delighted to share a new photograph of Princess Charlotte ahead of her eighth birthday.'

 Many at the time noted her similarity to her father, William. The father-daughter duo appear to share a number of similar facial features, including their eyes and nose, and expressions.

They both have large, beaming smiles, which boast more than a passing family resemblance.

The year prior, as Charlotte celebrated turning seven, photos showing the youngster at the family's country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk were published.

The images show Charlotte laughing into the lens, as she wears a blue patterned blouse and jumper, and clutches a posy of freshly picked daisies.

Today's celebrations saw the Prince and Princess of Wales's Instagram comments filled with happy birthday wishes for their daughter as they once again remarked on her similarity to William. 

It comes as, last week her father revealed his daughter's favourite joke this morning during a surprise school visit on a day of engagements in the West Midlands. 

The future King dropped in on Freddie Hadley, 12, St Michael's Church of England High School in Rowley Regis, Sandwell, after the youngster wrote to the Prince of Wales last year inviting him to see their mental health initiatives.

During the visit, the Prince joined Freddie and his classmates for a segment on the school's radio station, where he was asked to share a 'dad joke'.

Charles is not yet clear of the disease and is still undergoing treatment, but his medical team are understood to be 'pleased with the progress made so far' and 'remain positive' about his recovery. Charles and Camilla pictured leaving the hospital in February

He said: 'I'm kind of trying to channel Jack Whitehall, because most of his jokes are pretty dad-like.'

The royal then told a knock-knock joke about 'Interrupting Cow' instead, saying it's currently Princess Charlotte's favourite, adding: 'That's one I hear a lot at home at the moment.'

In a punchline some may have predicted, as the others around the table tried to ask: 'Interrupting Cow who?' the royal let out an abrupt 'moo'.

As some laughed and some groaned at the quip, William insisted it was the best joke he could think of that was 'clean' and 'broadcast-able'. 

It comes amid a turbulent time for the royal family, with both King Charles III and Kate receiving treatment following cancer diagnoses.

However, the monarch last week got the go ahead by doctors to return to public-facing duties.

His medical team are understood to be 'pleased with the progress made so far' and 'remain positive' about his recovery.

Meanwhile, Kate opened up about her diagnosis in March, saying that 'it has taken them time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that she is going to be ok'

Officials have stressed that His Majesty's treatment for cancer is still ongoing, saying: 'His Majesty's treatment programme will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public facing duties. Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimise any risks to His Majesty's continued recovery.'

They are not able, at this stage, to specify how long it will continue. A spokesman said: 'It is too early to say, but His Majesty's medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about The King's continued recovery.'

They added that 'any public-facing engagements will be announced nearer the time in the usual way, and will remain subject to doctors' advice' and stressed that it would not be a 'full summer programme'.

It is unclear yet whether he will be able to travel to Normandy in June for the major D-Day anniversary commemorations or to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa as planned in October, but it is understood that the King is keen to if his health allows.

Meanwhile, Kate opened up about her diagnosis in March, saying that 'it has taken them time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that she is going to be ok'.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen said: '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.'