10 things we know about Princess Charlotte ahead of her first birthday

Princess Charlotte celebrates her first birthday on Monday, what do we know about her so far?
Princess Charlotte. Picture: The Duchess of Cambridge/Press Association.Princess Charlotte. Picture: The Duchess of Cambridge/Press Association.
Princess Charlotte. Picture: The Duchess of Cambridge/Press Association.

1. She's a very easy, sweet baby, according to her Dad

But the Duke of Cambridge is also predicting some challenges ahead. While at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff ahead of the RBS 6 Nations Wales v France game in February, William revealed: "Charlotte is very easy, she is sweet.

"But all the fathers say to me 'just you wait, when they get to nine or 11 they get crazy'. I'm looking forward to it. There will be some drama."

2. Her arrival was celebrated in sparkling style

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The Duchess of Cambridge was given a pair of £3,500 tourmaline, amethyst and diamond earrings, which she wore on her royal tour of India, to mark the birth of her daughter in May 2015.

The bespoke drop earrings were made by luxury jeweller Kiki McDonough, but the brand did not reveal who gave them to Kate.

3. She is a better sleeper than George

The Prince of Wales chatted about his baby granddaughter when he hosted a Clarence House tea party for pilots and aircrew who fought in the Second World War.

One of the guests revealed: "We were talking about grandchildren, he was saying Princess Charlotte does sleep through the night and it was much easier on mum than Prince George."

4. She has made William more emotional

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The Duke told Ant and Dec during a Prince's Trust documentary about his experience as a father-of-two: "Now the smallest little things, you well up a little more, you get affected by the sort of things that happen around the world or whatever a lot more, I think, as a father.

"Just because you realise how precious life is and it puts it all in perspective. The idea of not being around to see your children grow up and stuff like that."

5. She first experienced playing in the snow when she was 10-months-old

William and Kate took their children on their first ski holiday to the French Alps in March. Aides described it as a "very special and fun" time for the family.

6. Her great-grandmother the Queen is smitten

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Kate told ITV's Our Queen at Ninety programme: "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.

"The Queen is very fond of Charlotte and takes an interest in what she gets up to."

The Queen - known to George and Charlotte as "Gan Gan" - also leaves out little gifts for her great-grandchildren when they come to stay.

7. One of her favourite toys is a Fuddlewuddle puppy

Photos taken by Kate when Charlotte was six-months-old showed the princess laughing with delight at a soft Fuddlewuddle puppy, from British company Jellycat.

8. She is a fan of The Gruffalo

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William told actress Imelda Staunton that his children love The Gruffalo audiobooks which she narrated.

The Duke revealed that George and Charlotte listen to her readings of the Julia Donaldson books on car journeys.

9. She missed out on meeting the Obamas

Charlotte was already tucked up in bed when US president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited William and Kate at Kensington Palace. George, however, got to stay up late and see them.

10. Her fringe is long enough to need a hair clip

In a historic family photograph taken by Annie Leibovitz to mark the Queen's 90th, Charlotte is seen - with her blue eyes and dark hair - sitting on her great-grandmother's lap, wearing a pink bow slide on the side of her head.