Happy Birthday Princess Charlotte!

Kensington Palace has released three new portraits of Prince William and Kate's little girl to celebrate her fourth birthday.

The photos were taken by the Duchess of Cambridge as per tradition, and show Charlotte growing up so quickly.

In the first picture, the young princess is sitting down on the grass of Kensington Palace, wearing a pretty blue floral smock dress from British children's designer Trotters.

In the other two pictures, Charlotte is photographed in the family's garden at Anmer Hall, dressed in a yarrow tartan dress from Amaya Kids, a children's clothing boutique in Chelsea.

It's wonderful to see the young princess wearing a dress designed by and made exclusively for Trotters using an iconic British fabric from Liberty along with her much-loved Hampton canvas footwear, Sophie Merman, founder and CEO of Trotters told Hello magazine.

It is thrilling for a small family business like Trotters to receive such fabulous support.

Charlotte, full name Charlotte Elizabeth Diana Cambridge, is the couple's only daughter.

She has grown up so much in the past year, and was last seen out having fun with her cousins Maya and Lena Tindall before Easter.

Kate and William had taken her and Prince George to the Burnham Horse Trials, and the children enjoyed piggyback rides and even going on the rides at the fun fair.

This is a very special year for Charlotte, who will start school in September.

The young royal currently attends Wilcox Nursery, which is close to the family's home in Kensington Palace.

It is thought that Charlotte will join her big brother at Thomas's Battersea in London, but they may also decide to send Charlotte to a different school based on her own needs and personality.

During her time at nursery, Charlotte has enjoyed many activities, including poetry and pottery.

Just like last year, she will also get a birthday cake for the whole class to share on her special day on Thursday, a tradition that the nursery has for all pupils.

The last year has been a big one for Charlotte, who has undertaken bridesmaid duties three times.

The young princess had a starring role in both royal weddings last year, for both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May and Princess Eugenie in Jack Brooksbank's wedding in October.

Charlotte was also a bridesmaid for Kate's friend Sophie Carter's wedding, who is also Charlotte's godmother.

Charlotte also became a big sister following the arrival of Prince Louis, while her first cousin Arthur Matthews was born in October, the son of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews.

It is thought that Charlotte will next be seen in public in June at the annual Trooping the Colour.

It's hard to believe that it has already been four years since we were first introduced to the little princess.

Time flies by so quickly, and it's amazing to see how much she has grown and developed over the years.