Princess Charlotte is celebrating her ninth birthday today, with royal watchers all over the world eagerly anticipating a new picture of the young royal.
Many fans are wondering if the Prince and Princess of Wales will share a new snap of their only daughter, following the fallout from Kate's Photoshop scandal earlier this year.
It is understood the mother-of-three delayed releasing a snap of her youngest son, Prince Louis, to mark his sixth birthday last month.
Kensington Palace typically releases portraits of the Wales children the night before to mark their birthdays.
Princess Charlotte is celebrating her ninth birthday today
Getty
However, in a break with tradition, William and Kate shared a photo of their younger son on the afternoon of Louis' birthday directly on social media.
They also shared an unseen wedding photo to mark their 13th wedding anniversary.
It is thought the couple initially decided not to issue a photograph at all given their recent appeals for privacy at such an "unprecedented" time for their family, but they 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 cancerous cells were discovered after undergoing surgery for a different condition in January.
Princess Charlotte posing for her eighth birthday last yearThe Princess of WalesShe explained she had not spoken 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, several photo agencies issued a "kill notice" on a picture of the Princess of Wales and her three children that had been released for Mother's Day.
It was the first official photo published of Kate after she underwent abdominal surgery in January.
The following day, the Princess of Wales admitted she edited the Mother's Day photo and apologised for "any confusion" caused.
Princess Charlotte is fourth in line to the throneMillie PilkingtonLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Princess Charlotte is the only daughter of the Princess of Wales
PAA 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 the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis on March 22 as this was the day George, Charlotte and Louis began their Easter holidays at Lambrook School.
