Princess Charlotte’s New Portrait Honors Queen Elizabeth

It’s a big day for Princess Charlotte, who turns 9 years old today. To mark the young royal’s latest milestone, her mom, Princess Kate, shared a new birthday portrait on Instagram this morning—and to make things extra special, the snap includes a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

In the adorable picture taken by her mom, Charlotte shows off some masterful spring transitional dressing in a burgundy knit cardigan layered over a navy blue sweater paired with a denim button-up skirt and navy blue stockings. She flashes a big smile while leaning on a fence, surrounded by blossoming pale pink flowers.

Eagle-eyed fans identified the blooms as Clematis Elizabeth, one of the first plants named for Queen Elizabeth II, according to Gardens Illustrated. The variety, known for its “delicate scent,” holds a Garden Merit award from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), an organization the late queen was famously a patron of during her reign. An enthusiastic member, Queen Elizabeth attended RHS’s flagship event, the Chelsea Flower Show, more than 50 times, with her last appearance taking place in May 2022.

Charlotte and her great-grandmother had a special connection from the moment she was born. Kate and Prince William honored both the queen and the late Princess Diana by naming her Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

In the 2016 documentary The Queen at Ninety, the Princess of Wales recalled Charlotte’s birth and her sweet bond with Elizabeth. “The Queen was really thrilled that it was a little girl,” she shared. “I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington, she was one of our first visitors here.”

Kate accompanied the touching post with a celebratory caption. “Happy 9th Birthday, Princess Charlotte! 🎂 Thank you for all of the kind messages today,” she wrote.