Prince William’s Secret Wish Before Fatherhood Adds New Meaning to His Birthday Photo With Charlotte
Prince William's reported wish for a daughter before becoming a father has resurfaced following a sweet new photo with Princess Charlotte.
Prince William’s birthday falls on the same day as Father’s Day, making it the perfect occasion to celebrate both. To mark the day, Kensington Palace released a photo of the Prince of Wales with his daughter, Princess Charlotte. However, the moment carries even more significance, according to a royal author who revealed that William had once confessed to wanting a daughter long before he became a father.
Photographer Matt Porteous captured the father-daughter moment shortly after the Trooping the Colour 2026 celebrations. In the photo, William and Charlotte are sharing an adorable moment in the gardens of Kensington Palace with their arms around each other. The post was signed by Princess Kate and all three Wales children, including Prince George and Prince Louis, but it was only Charlotte who appeared alongside her father in the picture.
Russell Myers, the author of William & Catherine, claimed (via Women & Home), “William had privately voiced his preference for having a girl, and was keen to incorporate a tribute to his late mother, most likely in the form of a middle name.” Myers also shared details about the names William and Kate reportedly considered before starting their family.
According to the royal author, the Princess of Wales was particularly fond of the names Alexander for a boy and Alexandra for a girl. Since the couple chose not to find out the sex of their first child before birth, both names remained possibilities. When Prince George arrived in 2013, they ultimately used Alexander as one of his middle names.
Two years later, William got the daughter he had waited for in Charlotte. The young royal was given Diana as one of her middle names as a tribute to William's late mother. The close bond between father and daughter could clearly be seen in the new photo as well. Charlotte's influence on her father is far more than just spending sweet family moments.
Myers revealed that William had raised concerns with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, before his wedding to Catherine about the rules of royal succession. At the time, it would have allowed a younger son to overtake an older daughter. But the law was later changed, meaning Charlotte's place in the line of succession remains ahead of Prince Louis regardless of birth order. Looking back, it was an incredible shift for the monarchy. And the new photo is just the latest reminder of the close bond William and Charlotte share.
