We’re ready for our close-ups, Mummy! Utterly adorable– and the very image of their parents: Kate melts our hearts with her sublime portraits

First official portraits of Princess Charlotte released by Kensington Palace
Images show Prince George proudly cradling his sister in his lap
Taken by the Duchess of Cambridge at Anmer Hall around two weeks ago

By KATIE NICHOLL, MAIL ON SUNDAY ROYAL CORRESPONDENT

PUBLISHED: 21:02, 6 June 2015 | UPDATED: 22:10, 6 June 2015

Cradling his two-week-old little sister in his lap, Prince George plants a loving kiss on Princess Charlotte, proving he is every inch the proud big brother.

Captured here in a beautiful series of photographs, taken by the Duchess of Cambridge and released last night by Kensington Palace, it’s clear how much the new siblings have bonded.

The first official photographs of the Princess were taken at the family’s country home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, just two weeks after Charlotte’s birth on May 2.

Scroll down for video

Brotherly love: Prince George tenderly places a kiss on the head of his two-week-old little sister

Besotted: In a touching moment the young prince, who turns two next month, looks down adoringly at his baby sister

Close bond: Little Prince George looks thrilled to be left in charge of the blue-eyed princess

Friends forever: The siblings look pristine in the images captured by their proud mother at Anmer Hall

ReWilliam and Kate have once again ignored the traditional Royal protocol of appointing an established portrait photographer. Instead the Duchess, a keen amateur photographer, took the shots herself.

It was of course her father, Michael, who surprised many by taking the first official portrait of George in August 2013.

Charlotte, with her irresistibly chubby cheeks and bright blue eyes, has darker hair than Prince George but they share the same nose – William’s – and rose bud lips.

With his hands protectively wrapped around his new sister, George looks besotted with her –and thrilled to be in charge.

Wearing his favourite Rachel Riley blue shorts, piped shirt, knee-high socks and navy Start-rite shoes – the same outfit he wore to visit his newborn sister at St Mary’s Hospital – he looks pristine, and clearly managed to sit still for the photo shoot. The little Princess, who is dressed in what appears to be a woollen jumper with matching white tights and a frill collar body suit (£14 from Polarn O. Pyret), is said to be a better sleeper than her brother. She appears completely relaxed and even seems to smile at one point. Like George, she has inherited the famous Middleton dimples.

Showing the siblings propped up against cushions on a pristine cream sofa, the pictures were taken in the living room of the Cambridges’ recently refurbished country bolthole. Kate oversaw the two-year redesign, and the pictures reveal a glimpse of the cool, neutral interiors she has chosen.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge present newborn Princess Charlotte

The first official photographs of Princess Charlotte have been released by Kensington Palace tonight

The set of four images are the first pictures of the little princess since she was introduced to the world on the steps of St Mary's Hospital

The Cambridge's first snapshot of Prince George released by Kensington Palace was captured by his grandfather, Michael Middleton

Family portrait: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posing with Prince George and their pet dog Lupo

Photographer Hugo Burnand, who took the official Royal Wedding pictures in 2011, praised Kate’s skills with the camera. ‘They’re utterly beautiful images which Prince George and Princess Charlotte will treasure forever,’ he said.

The next set of official family pictures will be at Princess Charlotte’s christening, due to take place on July 5 at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham – where Princess Diana was baptised. Aides said the christening, conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, will be a private affair.

FIRST PORTRAIT OF PRINCESS CHARLOTTE WAS ACTUALLY RELEASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

by Rebecca English and Sam Matthew

In a break with royal protocol, Kensington Palace decided to tweet one photograph from the set ‘exclusively’ on their Twitter and Instagram accounts at 9pm.

They also issued a stringent set of conditions for use of that particular picture to members of the British media.

The entire set, containing four images, were released to the press an hour later.

A spokesman for the couple said they wanted to thank ‘social media users’ and ‘recognise the hundreds of thousands of additional people who have followed the official Kensington Palace accounts in the month following the birth of Princess Charlotte’.

An hour after the image was posted to Twitter it had been shared more than 26,000 times.

Kensington Palace's account was inundated with comments branding the snap 'an instant classic', 'oh so cute', and 'adorable'

One wrote: ' aaaaaw thank you for sharing this adorable picture with us.'

Another added: 'What a sweet big brother. Charlotte is in good hands. :)'

Others posted about the striking similarities between Prince George and his father.

One wrote: 'He looks just like his dad when he was that young. Beautiful children.'

Yesterday the Cambridge's announced that Princess Charlotte would be christened on the Sandringham estate. Pictured: The official christening photo of Prince George taken at Clarence House, London

The christening is set to take place at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate on July 5

KATCHING MY I

Pages

Saturday, 6 June 2015

First official portraits of Princess Charlotte released by Kensington Palace Images show Prince George proudly cradling his sister in his lap

We’re ready for our close-ups, Mummy! Utterly adorable– and the very image of their parents: Kate melts our hearts with her sublime portraits

FIRST PORTRAIT OF PRINCESS CHARLOTTE WAS ACTUALLY RELEASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA