George, Charlotte and Louis delight Prince William with touching message and photo surprise
The Princess of Wales stepped away from her usual role behind the camera this Father’s Day, allowing a professional to capture a rare and tender moment between Prince William and their children — and in doing so, quietly broke a beloved royal tradition.
Known for her warm, candid family portraits, Catherine has long been regarded as the royal family’s unofficial photographer. Last year, her intimate photo of Prince William with their children touched hearts across the globe. But this year, fans were surprised to see a new creative direction.
Instead of one of Catherine’s signature shots, a Father’s Day post shared by the family featured a photo taken by renowned photographer Josh Shinner. The image shows George, Charlotte and Louis affectionately gathered around their father, all dressed in soft green tones, exuding unity and love.
“Happy Father’s Day, Papa. We love you! G, C & L,” the caption read — marking the first time the children had personally signed off on a public message, adding to the emotional weight of the tribute.
Although the social media post credited Shinner’s photography, Kensington Palace later revealed that another striking image from the same session — taken on the Norfolk coast — had in fact been captured by Catherine last May.
The post quickly won hearts online, with fans praising the touching gesture. “My leaky eyes are leaking again! Beautiful photo. Thank you,” wrote one emotional commenter.
The sweet tribute not only celebrated Prince William but also subtly highlighted the family’s growing openness — and the evolving involvement of the children in their royal roles.
