Kate Middleton is keeping up with a longtime tradition as she continues treatment for cancer.
On July 22, Princess Kate and Prince William issued a new picture of Prince George in honor of his 11th birthday, and there’s a special sentiment behind the portrait of the young royal. The image released directly to social media on George’s birthday was taken by the Princess of Wales, 42, as she continues treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer diagnosed earlier this year.
A self-described “enthusiastic amateur photographer,” Kate also took Prince Louis’ 6th birthday in April and Princess Charlotte’s 9th birthday in May. Princess Kate is known for her photography hobby and has taken many of the photos released for her children’s birthdays through the years.
In a health update that confirmed she would attend Trooping the Colour on June 15, her first public appearance since the cancer news announcement, Princess Kate described her treatment as “ongoing” and mentioned that she enjoyed spending time on things that bring her joy when she feels able.
“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.”
Before Prince Louis’ birthday on April 23, uncertainty swirled around whether the Prince and Princess of Wales would release new photos to celebrate their children’s birthdays this year, a tradition they’ve maintained since George was a baby. In March, Kate released a rare statement after a photo taken by William of her and their kids to mark Mother’s Day in the U.K. was removed by multiple news agencies due to suspicions of manipulation.
“Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused,” Princess Kate said in the message.
The royal mom continued to take all three of her children’s birthday pictures, which were circulated in a new way. In the past, Prince William and Princess Kate almost always shared the portraits on the eve of their children’s birthdays, but published the pictures this year on their kids’ actual birthdays.
It’s understood that the new protocol introduced when Louis turned 6 stemmed from a desire for privacy after Princess Kate announced on March 22 that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. She expressed that sentiment in her self-written speech.
