Princess Charlotte spotted enjoying a secret birthday treat with Kate Middleton

Princess Charlotte turns eight tomorrow (2 May) and celebrated the birthday with a special – and secret – trip to London with Kate Middleton over the weekend.

To mark the occasion, the young Princess and her mum headed into the city to watch a ballet adaptation of Cinderella at London’s Royal Opera House. Although the pair were not papped at the show, several royal fans and theatregoers took to social media to share news of the sighting.

First visit to @TheRoyalOpera in @CoventGardenLDN to see #Cinderella. Wonderful ballet with fabulous performances by a great cast. And who should be in the audience? The Princess of Wales with Princess Charlotte and her friends,” one spectator tweeted.

Elsewhere online, videos circulated of Charlotte and Kate on the stage at the end of the performance as they joined the dancers for a photograph. Charlotte was then seemingly joined by a group of her friends, suggesting the day out was somewhat of a birthday party.

Charlotte has made no secret of her affection for ballet – a passion she shares with Queen Consort Camilla – with Kate previously saying back in 2017 that she “absolutely loves” it.

Later this week the Royal Family will celebrate more than just Charlotte’s birthday, with King Charles III’s coronation taking place on Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey. Both Charlotte and Kate are expected to have roles in the ceremony, along with Prince William and Prince George who will both step into the spotlight at the event.