At age 10, Charlotte has maturity and inner strength...like the late Queen, her great-grandmother

As the third in line to the throne today celebrates reaching 'tweenhood' (with a slice of mum Kate's home-baked cake, no doubt), royal experts reveal her special role within the Wales family

- REBECCA RUSSELL

AFTER an emotional and challenging year for the Wales family, today will be marked by happiness and delight as Princess Charlotte turns 10. Entering double digits officially makes the Prince and Princess of Wales's only daughter a tweenager the period before a child reaches adolescence.

Which is something sure to delight the birthday girl herself, royal author Phil Dampier tells the Daily Express.

"I'm sure Charlotte will be very excited to turn 10 and be growing up fast," he says. "She will have seen George celebrate his 10th birthday and will know what to expect.

"The whole family is now much happier, of course, as the Princess of Wales is over the worst of her cancer treatment and clearly a lot better. So everyone will be able to relax and enjoy the occasion."

It seems like only yesterday that a swaddled Charlotte, at just hours old, was presented in her parents' arms. Over the years, we have witnessed her grow into a confident and independent girl at royal events.

While no details of a party are expected to emerge, it is likely the Princess of Wales will repeat one of her favourite traditions for her daughter's special day. Looking back to when she met Dame Mary Berry in 2019, Kate revealed that she stays up late the night before making a birthday cake, but ultimately ends up "with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing".

And although Charlotte's birthday falls on a school day this year, managing editor of Majesty Magazine Joe Little believes the milestone will be a "big deal", just as it is for other girls her age.

"No doubt her friends will want to make a fuss of her," he says. "Perhaps there will be a family party at home that evening or on the Saturday of the bank holiday weekend."