Royal family releases new pictures for Princess Charlotte's 1st birthday

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London: New photographs of Princess Charlotte, taken by her mother the Duchess of Cambridge at their home in Norfolk, have been released to mark her first birthday on Monday.

The young royal was introduced to the public on the day of her birth, May 2, 2015, and like her older brother Prince George, those first images of the tiny infant were captured by the world's media.

Princess Charlotte celebrates her first birthday on Monday, May 2. Photo: Getty Images

She was named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana in tribute to her grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales and her great-grandmother the Queen.

The four new pictures offer an intimate snapshot of how the young princess has grown up during her first 12 months.

A spokeswoman for William and Kate said: "The Duke and Duchess are very happy to be able to share these important family moments and hope that everyone enjoys these lovely photos as much as they do."

Princess Charlotte.. Photo: Getty Images

Charlotte's privacy has been carefully guarded by her family and during the past year she has only been seen in public on one other occasion, her christening.

On that day George stole the limelight when he stood on tiptoe to peer into her pram and chatted to the Queen, who bent down to speak to her great-grandson.

Charlotte has only been seen in a handful of pictures to mark events like six months after her birth, her first Christmas and most recently in a group picture with the Queen's other great-grandchildren and youngest grandchildren to mark the monarch's 90th birthday.

Princess Charlotte looks up as her mother Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge takes her photo ahead of her first birthday. Photo: Getty Images

One of the new photos shows Charlotte in a pink cardigan with a white collar, worn over a soft pink floral dress, as she sits on the floor at home gazing at the camera with big blue eyes similar to those of her brother.

Another shows a grinning princess wearing the same attire, with a pink clip pinning her hair to one side, as she pushes a colourful baby walker full of alphabet blocks outside on the lawn, a determined look on her face.

A third photograph shows her leaning on a wooden chair, this time wearing a cream cardigan over a blue dress with a blue ribbon clip in her hair.

And a final photograph shows Charlotte's startling resemblance to George as she clambers on a wicker chair, playfully glancing back towards the camera.

PA