Kate Middleton’s sweet tradition with Prince George to mark his 11th birthday

As the Princess of Wales continues to battle cancer away from the public eye, the doting mum still found time to keep a sweet tradition with son Prince George alive on his birthday

As Prince George celebrated his 11th birthday on Monday 22 July, his doting mum Kate, Princess of Wales, showed that even her ongoing cancer battle was no match for a royal tradition, as she continued in her yearly display of affection by sharing a photograph of her son she had taken herself.

To mark the special birthday, as is tradition, both Princess Kate and her husband Prince William issued a sweet black and white snap of their eldest son to wish him a very happy birthday.

Yet while the royals could just as easily have opted to bring in a professional photographer, it was Kate’s decision to release a photo she had taken herself that continued a longstanding tradition the family had held on their children’s birthdays.

A new picture taken by Kate was released for Prince George’s 11th birthday
The future King has come a long way, since his birth at the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in London

READ MORE: Prince Harry set for UK return – and it raises questions for William and Kate

Well known for a being an “enthusiastic amateur photographer”, Kate is no stranger to wielding a camera, with many of the birthday photos released for her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis shot by the senior royal herself in a touching and very personal tribute to each of them on their special day.

This year however, the Princess of Wales ’ usual routine has been thrown into chaos by her ongoing battle with an undisclosed form of cancer, with Kate having revealed back in June that she was still undergoing treatment for a number of months yet.

However even a cancer diagnosis was no match for Kate’s love of photography and testament to tradition, as she was able to take the photograph that was shared around the world, herself – in what many believe may even have contributed towards her recovery.

Issuing a rare health update last month, the Princess said: “My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months,” she said in the message. “On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”

Kate was able to keep up the tradition of taking her children’s birthday photos, even despite her cancer battle

Prince Harry set for UK return – and it raises questions for William and Kate
Prince William and Kate champion ‘controlled parenting’ as they shield children from ‘pressure’
‘I’m 57 and this £10 Boots firming serum from No7 makes my cheekbones look amazing’
Bukayo Saka is second player to warn Tottenham about Eberechi Eze ahead of £68m deal
Given her keen love of photography, it has been speculated that photography could be one of these hobbies helping to keep her spirits up amid her treatment, especially as the photograph shared to mark both Father’s day and husband Prince William ’s birthday were also credited to Kate.

There was one break in tradition this year however. Up until 2023, each year birthday photographs for the royal children were released one day prior to the big day, but due to the ongoing scheduling issues surrounding Kate’s cancer treatment, this year, all three of her children’s photos have been issued on the day itself.

It’s understood that the change stemmed from a desire for more privacy while the family navigated through the tough situation.