King Charles, Princess Charlotte

The world may be counting down to hiscoronation, butKing Charlesmarked another family event first: his granddaughterPrincess Charlotte’s8th birthday!

The King and Queen Consort’s official Instagram page also marked the occasion on their story.

In the original message, shared toPrince Williamand Kate’s official Twitter account,@KensingtonRoyal, theywrote, “WishingPrincess Charlottea very happy birthday! 8 tomorrow,” and added emojis of a red balloon and a pink cake.

Anew close-up photoofPrincess Charlottewas released on Monday evening to celebrate the birthday girl. In the image, the young royal flashes a big smile for the camera while seemingly lounging in a hammock. She wore a white cotton summer dress dotted with small colorful flowers fromTrotters.

“The Prince and Princess of Wales are delighted to share a new photograph ofPrincess Charlotteahead of her eighth birthday tomorrow,” the palace said in a statement.

This year, Princess Charlotte’s birthday week will be a busy one. She is expected to join her parents, 9-year-old brotherPrince Georgeand possibly 5-year-old brotherPrince Louisfor the coronation on Saturday that will see their grandfatherKing Charles, 74, andQueen Camilla, 75, crowned at Westminster Abbey.

Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.Karwai Tang/WireImage

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02: Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour during Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee on June 02, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. Trooping The Colour, also known as The Queen’s Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army that has taken place since the mid-17th century. It marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This year, from June 2 to June 5, 2022, there is the added celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

As it’s a global eventsteeped in centuries of tradition, there are still preparations and rehearsals to be managed. Just last week during a visit to Wales, Princess Kate, 41, told well-wishers that she had to getsome “wardrobe done.”

The three Wales children are expected to be a part of Saturday’s coronation, as it is anticipated that they will take part in ahorse-drawn carriage processionback to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey following the service.

They’re no strangers to carriage rides, having made theircarriage ride debutduring Trooping the Color, the annual public celebration of the monarch’s birthday, last June.

The siblings may also join King Charles, Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony overlooking members of the public gathered on the Mall below.

Queen Elizabeth at Trooping the Colour 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee

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Although their presence on the balcony hasn’t yet been confirmed, the family of five have all appeared on theBuckingham Palace balconybefore. They famously appeared on the balcony alongside other royals last June duringQueen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which marked her 70 years on the throne.

The Jubilee balcony appearance is also wherePrince Louis, then 4,memorably stole the showwith hisfacial expressions— much to the amusement of his great-grandmotherQueen Elizabeth.

source: people.com