The image of her father! Royal fans say Princess Charlotte is growing up to resemble dad William in new 11th birthday snap – after she was previously compared to a young Elizabeth II

Royal fans have said Princess Charlotte is starting to resemble her father, Prince William after a charming new photograph of the young royal was released to mark her 11th birthday today.

As she has grown up, the 11-year-old has been repeatedly compared to a young Queen Elizabeth II, with fans going wild over her striking resemblance to her great-grandmother.

In 2021, royal fans erupted into a frenzy after the Prince and Princess of Wales released a family portrait taken on a secret trip to Jordan, with many comparing the then-six-year-old’s uncanny resemblance to the late monarch.

A year before, many were also quick to compare Princess Charlotte to the Queen after Prince William and Princess Catherine shared their 2020 Christmas card, which featured all three of their children sitting on haystacks in front of firewood.

But despite years of royal fans drawing comparisons between Charlotte and her great-grandmother, many have noted how similar the young princess looks to her father following the release of her most recent birthday photograph.

Taking to X, one wrote: ‘Oh my gosh! William’s genes are [sic] expressing themselves at 11! Happy Birthday, Charlotte!’

‘She really does look like William,’ a user remarked, while another penned: ‘Omg! She is the image of her father. Happy birthday, Charlotte!

‘She is [sic] looking more like her daddy every year,’ a fourth chimed in, as one wrote: ‘Princess Charlotte looks so much like her father Prince William.’

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A charming new photograph of Princess Charlotte has been released to mark her 11th birthday today

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Royal fans have begun to compare Princess Charlotte to her father, Prince William (Pictured in September 2006)

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In 2021, royal fans previously believed Princess Charlotte looked like a young Queen Elizabeth II (Pictured left, picture right: Princess Charlotte aged six in Jordan in 2021)

Following the release of her latest birthday photograph, royal fans have begun to point out Princess Charlotte’s striking resemblance to Prince William

It comes after a charming new photograph of Princess Charlotte was released earlier today to mark her 11th birthday.

Shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales‘ official social media account, the stunning portrait gives a rare insight into the life of the young princess.

Charlotte is seen smiling broadly, dressed in a black and red jumper and blue jeans, surrounded by flowers and trees. The snap was taken by the couple’s trusted photographer, Matt Porteous, on the family’s Easter getaway to Cornwall last month.

‘Wishing Charlotte a very happy 11th birthday!‘, the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote, accompanying the message with a birthday cake emoji.

It pays homage to the youngster’s love of nature, after last year’s photograph showed her windswept and grinning happily as she enjoyed the outdoors with her mother.

And while many noted her growing resemblance with William, her long, flowing hair is more reminiscent of her mother Kate, who has traditionally taken charge of her children’s birthday snaps in recent years.

It is the second new photo of the princess royal fans have been treated to in recent days, after the Waleses shared a touching family snap to mark their 15th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.

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Pictured: Prince William and Princess Charlotte attending the Easter Service at Windsor on April 5, 2026

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On her first birthday, William and Kate released an adorable snap of her pushing a trolley of bricks

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To mark her tenth birthday, the Waleses released this portrait of Charlotte, windswept and grinning at her mother

That shot saw Charlotte sharing a smile with her younger brother, Prince Louis and her mother as the family enjoyed themselves lying in the sun during their Cornwall trip.

In today’s photo, she could be seen sporting the same ivy blue nail varnish as in the family shot.

Charlotte is third in line to the throne and set, one day, to be Princess Royal, following in the footsteps of her great aunt, Princess Anne, and many think she would be a natural successor to the role.

Because of changes in 2013 to the rules concerning the order of succession that mean male heirs are no longer prioritised above female heirs, Charlotte, born in 2015, became the first British princess to rank above a younger brother.

Her full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and she was born in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, at 8.34am on May 2, 2015, weighing a very healthy 8lb 3oz.

At such a young age, she already has a legion of fans, in part thanks to her seemingly effortless decorum on the global stage.

She has already won hearts by frequently taking charge of her brothers at public events, especially her younger sibling, Prince Louis, who turned eight on April 23.

Last week, the couple shared a new photo of the young prince captured by Prince William and the Princess of Wales‘s trusted photographer Matt Porteous during the family’s Easter getaway to Cornwall.

Insiders have previously described Princess Charlotte as the royal family’s ‘secret weapon’, taking on the role of a ‘boss’ at home who is not afraid to speak her mind.

Royal historian Marlene Koenig told US Weekly ‘Charlotte rules the roost’ at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, adding ‘[Kate] describes Charlotte as ‘independent and the one in charge.’

Last year, her father, William, revealed how the straight-talking youngster made him shave off his beard when she disapproved.

rincess Charlotte’s last public appearance was on Easter Sunday when she joined senior royals for the traditional service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

She put on a sweet mother-daughter display with Princess Catherine as they were spotted walking out of the service while holding hands.

They also wore coordinated outfits, with Catherine opting for a cream two-piece suit from Self-Portrait with a brown leather handbag and matching heels.

Her ensemble was complemented by Charlotte’s camel-coloured coat with brown velvet accents, which she paired over a pretty white dress with a delicate pair of black pumps.