Reason Princess Charlotte's 10th birthday will be 'tinged with emotion' for William and Kate
The young royal turns 10 on May 2
As Princess Charlotte celebrates her milestone 10th birthday today (May 2), the occasion is expected to be filled with joy, but also a hint of sadness for her parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Royal expert Phil Dampier has suggested that, like many parents watching their children grow up too quickly, Prince William and Kate Middleton will likely feel a mix of pride and nostalgia as their only daughter enters double digits.
Princess Charlotte’s birthday may be ‘tinged with sadness’
“Like all parents, William and Catherine will delight in Charlotte growing into a teenager and fine young woman,” Phil told Express. “But that is always tinged with a feeling that time flies by and she won’t be a child for much longer.”
Charlotte, whose full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, was born at 8:34am on May 2, 2015, at St Mary’s Hospital in London.
Just hours after her birth, the royal couple famously introduced their newborn daughter to the world on the steps of the Lindo Wing.
That is always tinged with a feeling that time flies by and she won’t be a child for much longer.
Kate wore a yellow floral Jenny Packham dress for the occasion.
Now turning 10, Charlotte – the younger sister to Prince George, and older sister to Prince Louis – continues to grow into her own role as a senior royal-in-the-making.
But this birthday may carry a deeper emotional resonance for William and Kate. This is especially due to the challenges they’ve faced recently.
“They are bound to feel emotional after the rollercoaster they have been on. Because of Kate’s health, and that of the king,” Phil continued. “But the feeling will be one of joy and celebration.”
Inside the Princess of Wales’ tough 2024
Kate was out of the public eye for most of 2024 following abdominal surgery and a subsequent cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales has begun slowly returning to her duties since the beginning of the year.
Most recently, she joined William on a two-day engagement in Scotland. The couple celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during the trip.
However, this recent hardship will likely make family milestones like Charlotte’s birthday even more significant for the Wales household.
Back in 2017, while speaking at a charity event, the Princess of Wales shared a candid reflection on motherhood.
“Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother,” she said. “It is full of complex emotions. Of joy, exhaustion, love and worry, all mixed together.”
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Photo of Charlotte released by William and Kate
Despite the emotional undercurrent, Charlotte’s 10th birthday will no doubt be celebrated within the family.
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram account released a photo of Charlotte today.
It showed the young princess smiling for the camera, with her hair tied back in a loose ponytail as she wore a camoflauge jacket and a backpack.
Princess Charlotte’s royal future and the title she could gain
The young royal is the middle child of the Prince and Princess of Wales. She's third in line to the throne, behind her father Prince William and older brother George.
But what does Charlotte's future look like within the monarchy?
Princess Charlotte's royal future and title she could gain
As the middle child of Prince William and Kate, it's unlikely that Charlotte will take the throne. Her father Prince William is the heir to the throne. Prince George is second in line as the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Charlotte is third and her younger brother Prince Louis is fourth.
But, many royal experts predict that Charlotte could play an important role within the monarchy when she gets older. She's even been branded the royal family's "secret weapon" by some experts.
Will Charlotte become a spare?
Charlotte's uncle Prince Harry, the younger brother of William, has expressed concerns previously about Charlotte and Louis potentially becoming "spares".
Since their brother George is destined to be king one day, Harry worries that Charlotte and Louis could become "spares" - an unofficial title he gave himself and even named his 2023 tell-all memoir after.
However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams insists that William and Kate wouldn't allow their youngest kids to feel like that.
Will Charlotte gain the Princess Royal title?
There’s speculation over whether Charlotte will also inherit Princess Anne’s title of Princess Royal in the future when Prince William becomes king.
According to the royal family’s official website, the title is traditionally carried by the monarch’s oldest daughter and held for life.
The title is not inherited nor automatic, and it’ll evidently be down to Prince William when he is king - but only if Anne is no longer with us.
The post read: “Happy 10th Birthday Princess Charlotte!”
Kate captured the sweet snap.
Although the years may seem to be flying by, Princess Charlotte’s birthday stands as a reminder of resilience for a family navigating both private and public challenges.
Read more: Princess Charlotte is all smiles in sweet new birthday photo as she turns 10
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