Princess Charlotte’s new portrait pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth

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

In the adorable photo taken by her mother, Charlotte shows off a masterful mid-spring outfit in a burgundy knit cardigan layered with a navy sweater paired with a denim button-down skirt and navy bottoms. She flashes a big smile as she leans on a fence, surrounded by blooming pale pink flowers.

Eagle-eyed fans identified the flowers as Clematis Elizabeth, one of the first plants named for Queen Elizabeth II, according to Illustrated gardens. The variety, known for its “delicate fragrance”, holds a Garden Merit award from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), an organization the late Queen was famous for during her reign. An enthusiastic member, Queen Elizabeth has attended the 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 relationship from the moment she was born. Kate and Prince William honored 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 the birth of Charlotte and her sweet bond with Elizabeth. “The Queen was really delighted that it was a little girl,” she explained. “I think as soon as we got back to Kensington, she was one of our first visitors here.”

Kate accompanied the touching message with a celebratory caption. “Happy 9th birthday, Princess Charlotte! 🎂 Thank you for all the sweet messages today,” she wrote.