Kate Middleton’s poignant reason for delay in release of Charlotte and Louis birthday snaps

Royal fans have been treated to a heartwarming new picture of Princess Charlotte as she turns nine today.

The snap, taken by the Princess of Wales, shows the youngster casually posing outside next to a clematis plant with pink petals. It was taken in the last few days at Windsor by Kate and posted for fans to enjoy on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official social media accounts.

The snap comes just a week after a new photograph of Prince Louis – also taken by Kate – was released to mark his sixth birthday and follows the furore surrounding the family’s Mother’s Day portrait which picture agencies issued a ‘kill notice’ for after spotting that it had been edited.

William and Kate – who is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer – have always issued images for their children’s birthdays but the latest pictures of Louis and Charlotte follow a new pattern. Both were posted straight to social media on their actual birthdays, rather than under embargo to the press the day before as was the established tradition they have followed each year for all three of their children since they were born.

And it seems there is a reason behind the move, which is understood to be a result of the unprecedented time the family is experiencing. William and Kate are said to be aware of the fact that they have asked for privacy during the princess’s recovery but wanted to share photographs of Louis on social media as a way to thank those who sent birthday wishes for him. And it appears this has been the same thought process in the release of Charlotte’s picture today.

Meanwhile, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggested to the Express last week when Louis’ picture was released that the delay might emphasise Kate’s “need for time, space and privacy”, which she appealed for when she revealed her cancer diagnosis.

Kate issued a public apology last month when an image William took of the princess with Prince George, Charlotte and Louis was found to have been digitally altered. The family Mother’s Day portrait – the first official one showing Kate since her surgery – was withdrawn by picture agencies over concerns it had been manipulated after discrepancies were spotted. It fuelled the escalating conspiracy theories online over Kate’s health and her whereabouts.

The princess took the blame and said sorry for the confusion with a statement saying she had been experimenting with editing. Less than two weeks later, she issued an emotional video message to the nation, announcing she was undergoing chemotherapy after post-op tests found cancer had been present. William and Kate took the time to sensitively share the princess’s diagnosis with their children ahead of the Easter holidays, giving them time to process the information.