Prince William and Kate Middleton break tradition again on Princess Charlotte's birthday

Prince William and Kate Middleton will be celebrating their daughter's birthday today. Princess Charlotte turns nine on Thursday, May 2.

Royal fans have been eagerly anticipating the annual birthday photograph the family release on each child's special day. The couple seemed to break with tradition last week when youngest son Prince Louis turned six - and it appears they are doing the same again.

The Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales usually release images under embargo the day before their children's birthdays in what was a long-standing tradition. But last week a new picture of Prince Louis was posted straight to social media instead.

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No new picture of Charlotte has been issued ahead of her birthday, Mirror reports. But a new photograph of the young princess could be posted to social media during the day.

It is understood the process has been changed due to the unprecedented time the family is currently going through. William and Kate have asked for privacy after Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis.

Princess Charlotte was last seen on an official outing on Christmas Day when the Royal Family made their traditional festive appearance on King Charles' Sandringham Estate to walk to church. She was pictured accepting gifts from well-wishers alongside Zara and Mike Tindall's eldest daughter Mia Grace.

Last December, she joined brothers Prince George and Prince Louis at the annual Westminster Abbey carol concert staged by their mum Kate. A few weeks earlier, the siblings were taken volunteering by Kate.

They visited the Baby Bank, in Holyport near Maidenhead, where they sifted through donated goods. Charlotte - who is third in line to the throne - goes to Lambrook School, in Berkshire, with her brothers.

She was born at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington, London, weighing 8lb 3oz. She was christened Charlotte Elizabeth Diana at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham.