Royal YouTuber, 21, marks birthday with raw photos - and a powerful Coeliac disease message

She’s built a following on calling things exactly as they are - and now Lydia Alty is doing the same with her own image.

Turning 21 on May 5, the outspoken royal commentator has released a fresh set of completely unedited birthday photographs, ditching filters and heavy retouching in favour of something far more real - and far more her. She is seen wearing a Next top and socks from a old friend who was local to Hemel Hempstead.

In an online world often dominated by curated perfection, Lydia’s latest post stands out. The images, shared by her team to mark the milestone, show the young journalist embracing a natural, polished look without digital alteration - a deliberate choice that reflects her wider “no-nonsense” approach to both media and messaging.

And while the photos are striking, it’s the message behind them that’s grabbing attention.

With over 250 million views online and more than a quarter of a million followers, Lydia has used her platform not just to track the Royal Family, but to educate — and this year, her birthday once again doubles as a call to action for Coeliac Disease awareness.

Diagnosed in November 2021 after a gruelling and prolonged illness, Lydia has spoken candidly about the reality behind the diagnosis. At just 16, while sitting her GCSE exams - which she reportedly passed with grades 6 and above - she was battling weeks of severe symptoms including vomiting, nausea, exhaustion, stomach pain, weakness and debilitating brain fog.

It’s an experience she says changed everything.

Now, four years on, she’s turning that experience into purpose.

Marking both her birthday and the start of Coeliac Awareness Month, Lydia has pledged to raise £640 to support 64 people living with the condition, highlighting the statistic that many remain undiagnosed. While the target is lower than last year’s £1,000, sources say the focus this time is on impact over scale - and making the campaign more accessible for supporters.

In a heartfelt post shared with her followers, Lydia wrote: “Ahead of #CoeliacAwarenessMonth literally starting tomorrow and ahead of my 21st Birthday I will once again be raising money for @coeliacuk!

Now they asked what our 64 was! I thought about it really hard because of my health conditions I can't run at the moment, so decided I wanted to raise money for Coeliac UK to support 64 people living with Coeliac Disease…

I will be fundraising all month and as usual if you have any spare change you can pop it in my fundraiser, with 100% of the fundraising going to the charity!”

She also thanked the charity for “continuing to champion those like me,” directing followers to her personal story and fundraising page.

But even as she marks her own milestone, Lydia shows no signs of slowing down professionally.

The 21-year-old is expected to spend her birthday doing what she does best - covering the Royal Family - with multiple engagements reportedly scheduled for senior royals on the day.

It’s this balance - between sharp royal commentary and deeply personal advocacy - that has set Lydia apart in a crowded digital space.

Unlike many influencers chasing clicks, Lydia has built her reputation on education over sensationalism, often challenging misinformation and encouraging a more informed understanding of the monarchy.

And if her latest unfiltered photos are anything to go by, she’s applying that same honesty to herself.

At just 21, Lydia Alty isn’t just growing up in the public eye - she’s redefining what influence looks like: authentic, informed, and unapologetically real.