William reveals ‘rowdy’ party plans for Charlotte’s fourth birthday

The Duke of Cambridge is expecting to stage a “rowdy” birthday party for his daughter Princess Charlotte who turns four today, according to an acclaimed children’s writer.

William revealed he would be hosting a celebration for his middle child when he made former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson a CBE, during a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony.

Mrs Donaldson said she chatted with the duke about the party and her well-loved book The Gruffalo, which was published 20 years ago.

Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson

She said after meeting William: “He said it’s his daughter’s birthday today and he loves the book. He reads my stories to his children, and he said he was going to have quite a rowdy party – he’s got a lot of children (coming).”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent Charlotte hugs and kisses on her special day.

Harry and Meghan, who are awaiting the birth of their own child any day now, replied to a Kensington Palace Instagram post featuring new photographs of the fourth in line to the throne.

Harry and Meghan's message to Charlotte
Harry and Meghan's message to Charlotte

Signing off as “H and M”, the couple wrote to their niece: “Happy Birthday Charlotte! Lots of love, H and M xo” – along with emojis of a chocolate birthday cake and a red balloon.

Clarence House also wished the princess a “very Happy Birthday” on Twitter, as did the Royal Family.

Kensington Palace said via Instagram: “Thank you for the lovely messages for Princess Charlotte’s fourth birthday!”

Three pictures of Charlotte, taken by her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, at Kensington Palace and the family’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, were released to mark the princess turning four on Thursday.

In the first picture, Charlotte is pictured in a floral summer Betsy dress by Trotters as she sits cross-legged on a patch of grass at the palace.

In the other two images, taken at Anmer Hall, the Queen’s great-granddaughter is pictured running and smiling as she holds a flower, and sitting on a fence beaming at the camera.

The youngster, whose full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge, was born at the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington at 8.34am on May 2 2015, weighing 8lb 3oz.

She is the Cambridge’s second child and a sister to Prince George and Prince Louis.

Kate, one of the world’s most photographed people, often goes behind the lens and has released her own pictures on a number of occasions.

Prince Louis 1st birthday
Prince Louis 1st birthday

Just last week, the 37-year-old duchess released snaps of her youngest son, Louis, to mark his first birthday.

Kate is a keen and accomplished amateur photographer who has lifetime honorary membership of the Royal Photographic Society which recognised her “talent and enthusiasm”.

She bucked tradition when she took the official photographs of newborn daughter Charlotte in 2015.

The photos of Charlotte showed the young princess being cradled by big brother George at William and Kate’s Norfolk home.

Kate, a history of art graduate, has released pictures to mark other milestones in her children’s lives, including George and Charlotte’s first days at nursery school and Charlotte’s first birthday.

Advertisement