Princess Charlotte is all smiles as she plays with a cuddly toy puppy. Photo / Supplied
Princess Charlotte is all smiles as she plays with a cuddly toy puppy. Photo / Supplied
Snapped by her adoring mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, this is little Princess Charlotte at six months old.
Not seen in public since her christening in July, two photographs of the fourth in line to the throne have today been released by Kensington Palace as a thank you to the media for giving William and Catherine's children the chance to grow up away from the spotlight.
With her thick brunette hair, Charlotte is very much her mother's daughter, in contrast to her elder brother, Prince George, 2, who has inherited his father's blonde locks.
The photos were released by Kate and William as a thank you to the media. Photo / Supplied
The pictures were shot by keen amateur photographer Catherine at Anmer Hall, the family's Norfolk home, in early November - and are believed to have been taken on the same Canon EOS 5D Mark II she used for previous shots of her children.
Initially they weren't intended for public consumption but the Duchess was so pleased with both her work and the positive response her last photographs of Prince George and Princess Charlotte received, that she decided to release them as a way of thanking the media.
The little princess, who has blue eyes, can be seen sitting unaided in a green checked armchair and in one shot is smiling at a toy puppy.
Charlotte is wearing a floral dress with a white frilled collar, believed to be a Liberty print, although the name of the designer has not been released by Kensington Palace. This is coordinated with pale pink wool tights and a pink cardigan - with the top button fastened. It is understood that neither William nor Catherine want to start releasing details of their children's outfits.
Babies of Charlotte's age are making major strides in their development and the princess appears to have reached some of her targets - sitting up, laughing and engrossed with the world, and is likely to be gurgling and able to roll around unaided.
Facially she bears a striking resemblance to her brother, Prince George, with her mother's hair and eyes.
Kensington Palace said in a statement: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to be able to share two new photographs of Princess Charlotte.
"They were taken by the Duchess in early November at their home in Norfolk.
"The Duke and Duchess continue to receive warm messages about Princess Charlotte from all around the world and they hope that everyone enjoys these lovely photos as much as they do."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and the Queen and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Princess Charlotte's christening. Photo / Getty Images
A royal aide told the Daily Mail: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very grateful for the support they have received when it comes to their children and wanted to share these very charming pictures taken by the Duchess. It is something they intend to continue to do."
Charlotte arrived on May 2 and, like her brother, was born at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
The world got its first glimpse of her shortly after when she left the hospital with her parents. She was also seen at her christening in July, when members of the public and media were invited to watch the family walk to church at Sandringham, the Queen's private estate in Norfolk.
She was named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana in honour of William's grandmother, the Queen, and late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
Although the couple are keen for their children to enjoy as normal a childhood as possible, away from the public glare, William enjoys talking about his daughter.
He has described her as a "little joy of heaven" as well as being very well-behaved and "ladylike" in comparison to her boisterous big brother, George.
