Kensington Palace releases birthday photo of William with Charlotte
William's birthday coincides with Middleton's wedding anniversary date
William, Prince of Wales, turned 44 on Sunday, with Kensington Palace marking the occasion by releasing a never-before-seen photograph of him with his daughter, Princess Charlotte, 11. The portrait, shared on Sunday morning, also doubled as a Father's Day tribute to his role as a devoted dad.
Rare family photo released
The image shows William beaming with his arm around Charlotte in the Kensington Palace gardens. It was taken after the family returned from Trooping the Colour on 13 June.
At that event, William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were joined by all three of their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony: Prince George, 12, Charlotte, and Prince Louis, eight.
The caption accompanying the photograph read: "Happy birthday and Father's Day to the best Papa in the World! We love you very much. C, G, C & L [pink hearts]." It was signed off with the initials of the Princess of Wales, George, Charlotte and Louis.
Coincidence with Middleton anniversary
William's birthday this year coincidentally falls on the same date as the wedding anniversary of his in-laws, Carole and Michael Middleton. William was born on 21 June, 1982, at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, in London. It is the same hospital where Kate later gave birth to both their children.
William traditionally keeps his birthday low-key, marking it privately with Kate and their three children. This year's celebration capped off a busy week of royal engagements and announcements for the family.
Busy week of royal engagements
Earlier in the week, William and Kate attended Garter Day. Shortly afterwards, the couple confirmed that their eldest son, Prince George, will join Eton College from September. Just days before that, the Wales family joined King Charles for Trooping the Colour, with crowds gathering along The Mall to catch a glimpse of the royals.
On Wednesday, William and Kate made a stylish appearance at Royal Ascot. The following day, William visited the Apricot Centre on his own.