Why There Were No New Photos of Princess Charlotte For Her Birthday

Princess Charlotte turns three years old today, but she might not get an official portrait to celebrate the occasion. Traditionally, the royal family has shared new photos of her and George on their birthdays, but this year, there was no new release.

On Instagram, Kensington Palace announced the princess' big day with a picture of her first day at nursery, which previously debuted in January, and the royal family posted a shot from her visit to the hospital after Prince Louis' birth last week.

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So why aren't we getting a new photo of the birthday girl this year? The Duke and Duchess' decision may come from a common parental concern.

"William and Kate won't want to overexpose their children," royal expert Penny Junor told Elle UK. They have never been entirely conventional so I imagine they might release a photo in their own time, and it might be one Kate takes herself."

Related Article: Everything You Need To Know About Prince William And Kate Middleton’s Children

The Duchess of Cambridge, an avid photographer, has been photographing her children's portraits for a few years now, including Charlotte's official birthday shots.

There was this for her first birthday in 2016:

However, if the Duke and Duchess have an issue with overexposure, why did they pose for photos with their new royal baby just hours after he was born? "A photo to commemorate the new baby's birth is hardly excessive however, and I would say, for historical purposes, it is important for there to be one," Junor added.

Perhaps we'll get an official portrait of Prince Louis (and big sister Charlotte) in the near future, but don't be surprised if Prince William and Kate Middleton take their time.

Related Article: Princess Charlotte’s First Day Of School Was As Adorable As You Expected

This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US.