Princess Charlotte was spotted making a sweet note to her late grandmother in her latest birthday portrait.
The photograph - which celebrated Charlotte's 9th birthday - sent fans into a frenzy as they gushed over the royal youngster, who sits third in the royal line of succession. However, Royal fans may have missed a sweet tribute to her late grandmother in the snap, captured by Princess Kate.
The photo shows Charlotte smiling in a garden, leaning on a fence in the sunshine, with her face framed by beautiful pale pink flowers. But upon a closer look at her outfit, Charlotte sported a knitted cardigan layered over a blue sweatshirt, with a jean skirt and tights - with floral material delicately placed around her neckline.
The pie-crust collar - a frilly style of shirt collar - has been making a comeback in fashion for a few years now. The style, which was once huge in the 80s, has made a strong return, with celebrities and fashion enthusiasts embracing its playful charm. Princess Diana, who passed away in 1997, was often praised as a fashion icon and often sported the pie-crust collar style on multiple occasions, often pairing the ruffled piece with patterned midi dresses, statement blazers, and pinstripe suits.
The Princess was best known for her unique sense of fashion and was not afraid to experiment with different styles to make a statement. And like Diana, Kate has also been spotted rocking the pie-crust collar underneath a sweatshirt to add some fun to more laid-back pieces, paying homage to her late mother-in-law.
In the birthday portrait, Princess Charlotte not only paid tribute to her late grandmother but also honoured her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Posing by a fence adorned with pale pink Clematis Elizabeth flowers, Charlotte's sweet gesture didn't go unnoticed. These flowers, experts revealed, were named after the Queen herself.
Described as "strong climbers with a delicate scent," these blooms hold a special significance in royal history. Queen Elizabeth II's passion for gardening was well-known, and she was a dedicated patron of the Royal Horticultural Society. Although she never attended the Chelsea Flower Show with her great-granddaughter, her bond with Charlotte was evident from the beginning.
Kate Middleton shared in the documentary "The Queen at Ninety" how thrilled the Queen was when Charlotte, her first great-granddaughter, was born. She fondly recalled: "The Queen was really thrilled that it was a little girl, and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington, she was one of our first visitors here."