Princess Charlotte looks all grown up in her newest birthday portraits!
Kate Middleton and Prince William released three new photos of their daughter to celebrate her fourth birthday. Charlotte may be fourth in line to the British throne, but in these photos, she looks a lot like any other happy 4-year-old. In one portrait, she sits perched on a wooden fence. In another, she runs laughing with a flower in her hand.
Both photos were taken by Kate herself, which is a Middleton family tradition.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share three new photographs of Princess Charlotte ahead of her fourth birthday tomorrow," the caption read.
In addition to Charlotte's birthday, the Cambridges have had a lot to celebrate recently. Prince Louis just celebrated his first birthday, and Kate and William celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary. The royal family is also still awaiting Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first baby.
Happy birthday, Princess Charlotte!
Kate Middleton and Prince William's daughter Princess Charlotte turns 4 years old today, May 2! Princess Charlotte is the couple's second child and only daughter.
To celebrate her birthday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posted a series of adorable photos of Charlotte looking very grown up on Kensington Palace's Instagram page.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share three new photographs of Princess Charlotte ahead of her fourth birthday tomorrow," the palace wrote in the caption.
The photographs were taken by none other than the duchess herself, on the grounds of the family home in Norfolk as well as at Kensington Palace.
It's tradition at this point for the family to post photos taken by Kate for the children's birthdays.
They've done the same thing for Princess Charlotte in past years.
On the other hand, Prince George always has other photographers take his birthday portraits, perhaps because he's more directly in line to the throne.
But Kate is also in charge of Prince Louis' birthday photos. Just a week ago, the couple posted two new portraits for Prince Louis' first birthday.
Prince Louis turned 1 on April 23.
It seems like he was just celebrating his christening yesterday! Man, how time flies.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (who have their own Instagram now) commented on both Charlotte's and Louis' birthday portraits with well-wishes.
"Happy Birthday Charlotte!" they wrote with a cake and balloon emoji. "Lots of love, H and M xo."
They left these comments while royal fans are impatiently waiting for the arrival of the Sussexes' own first baby. There has been much speculation about the birth, and some outlets even theorized that Meghan has already had the baby. But the couple said they would announce when Meghan went into labor, and they haven't yet.
Also, they signed these birthday messages from the two of them only!
Meanwhile, in the Cambridge household, Kate and William reportedly have big plans for Charlotte's birthday. The 4-year-old has invited tons of friends over for a party, Hello! magazine reports.
Children's author Julia Donaldson told the outlet that she chatted with Prince William about his daughter's birthday plans.
"He said it's his daughter's birthday today and he loves the book," she said.
She explained, "He reads my stories to his children, and he said he was going to have quite a rowdy party — he's got a lot of children (coming)."
It's been a busy time for the Cambridges. In addition to Charlotte's and Louis' birthdays, the couple also celebrated their wedding anniversary this week.
They've officially been married for eight years!
To mark the occasion, the Queen bestowed Kate with a special gift.
She made the duchess a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order for her "services to the sovereign." Kate will be honored at this year's service for the order on May 3.
And soon, the couple will become aunt and uncle to Meghan and Harry's own royal baby. Congratulations to the whole royal family — and happy birthday, Charlotte!
