How Princess Charlotte's birth changed royal protocol as palace release portrait to celebrate her 11th birthday

Princess Charlotte's birth changed the order of the line of succession after the palace shares a new portrait to celebrate her 11th birthday.

Charlotte, born in 2015, is a year younger than Prince George, 12, and three years older than Prince Louis, who turned eight last month.

Her birth came after a major constitutional change under the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

Prior to this act, male heirs would take precedence over older sisters in line to the throne.

To modernise royal rules, it was decided that birth order alone determines succession, regardless of gender.

As a result, Charlotte became the first female royal in British history whose position in the line of succession could not be displaced by a younger brother.

So even after the birth of Prince Louis in 2018, she retains her place ahead of him.

The Line of Succession

1. Prince William

2. Prince George

3. Princess Charlotte

4. Prince Louis

5. Prince Harry

6. Prince Archie

7. Princess Lilibet

8. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

9. Princess Beatrice

10. Sienna Mapelli Mozzi

Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, shared a photo of their second youngest child on social media on Saturday (2 May).

To mark her 11th birthday, Charlotte was pictured her walking through a field of daisies during the family’s Easter break in Cornwall.

Commenting on the post, some fans thought she has taken more after her father.

Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/m17GbmDoAh

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2026

"She looks more and more like her dad every year," one person said, as they wished her happy birthday.

"Happy birthday, Princess Charlotte looking more and more like her dad every day. Adorable," another penned.

William and Kate also shared a short video of their trip on Cornwall alongside the caption: “Thank you for the lovely birthday messages for Princess Charlotte, 11 today!”

On Friday, the family celebrated their second dog Otto's first birthday by posting a picture of the brown spaniel on social media.

“Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today,” the pic was captioned.

Last month (29 April), the royal couple marked their 15th wedding anniversary by visiting IntoUniversity.

They explained that it's 'a charity that aims to help young people reach their full potential in education and beyond'.

"Proud to know that IntoUniversity benefitted from the Royal Wedding Gift Fund in 2011 and continues to provide academic support for those that need it most today," the family added.