A sweet nod to the late Queen Elizabeth has been included in the annual picture released by the Royal Family to celebrate Princess Charlotte’s birthday.

Princess Charlotte effortlessly leans against a fence in the adorable new photograph captured by mum Princess Kate.

The image has been released to mark the youngster’s ninth birthday today - Thursday, May 2 - and it appears to pay tribute to Charlotte’s late “gan gan”.

Taken at Windsor by the Princess of Wales in the last few days, Charlotte beams as she rests her right hand on a post that is adorned with pale pink flowers.

The blooms - Clematis Elizabeth - are one of the first plants named after the late monarch and Charlotte’s great-grandmother, whom she affectionately called “gan gan”.

The third in line to the throne also shares her name with the late Queen as she was christened Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, after the late Queen and Prince Wiliam's late mother, in July 2015.

Sharing the image on their social media accounts on Thursday morning, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: "Happy 9th Birthday, Princess Charlotte! Thank you for all of the kind messages today."

Charlotte is wearing a maroon wool cardigan from Parisian brand Cyrillus teamed with a denim skirt from the same brand. Her long blonde hair falls neatly to one side.

The last time Charlotte was pictured in public was on Christmas Day last year, when she joined her family and other royals for a festive church service on the Sandringham estate.

Kate and William released the new image of their second child and only daughter in the same way Prince Louis's sixth birthday was marked last week.

Meanwhile royal fans have all pointed out how "grown up" Princess Charlotte looks in a new photograph released in honour of her ninth birthday today.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a new picture of their daughter, who was born on this day in 2015.

Now, following the release of the image, fans have pointed out how much they think the young royal, who is third in line to the throne, is growing up.

One X user, @HelsBells63 wrote: "Happy Birthday #PrincessCharlotte Looking so grown up, and a real Daddy's Girl for looks. Have a great day."

Another user, @TheMorrisLand, commented: "She's growing up so fast and isn't she the image of her father..."