Princess Charlotte and Prince George pictures: First images of fourth in line to the throne taken by Duchess of Cambridge

The pictures were taken by the princess's mother the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton

Breaking with royal tradition, the photographs of Prince George and Princess Charlotte were taken by their mother and feature the two royal siblings together (PA)

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has taken a temporary turn as royal photographer after snaps she took of five-week-old Princess Charlotte and her brother George were released by Kensington Palace.

The shots were taken at Amner Hall in Norfolk, part of the Sandringham Estate, where Prince William’s newly-expanded family have been staying since Princess Charlotte’s birth last month.

They show Prince George, who is coming up to his second birthday, handing his new sister a protective cuddle and a kiss on the head.

The pose is similar to pictures released soon after Prince Harry’s birth which showed him being cradled by William.

Kensington Palace confirmed the pictures released this evening, the first official shots of the royal siblings together, had been taken by the Duchess herself.

The photos were released first on Twitter and Instagram and were immediately shared thousands of times by social media users. Within an hour, the pictures had earned 40,000 likes on Instagram and 30,000 Twitter favourites, although it was Prince George’s name which was trending on the site.

However, perhaps the most remarkable thing about the photos is that there isn't a spot or stain to be seen, even though both are wearing white - and sitting on a cream sofa.

Princess Charlotte was born on 2 May at St Mary’s Hospital in London. Officially registered as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge, she is the fourth in line to the throne.

Prince William returned to work with the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service earlier this week after a period of paternity leave.

Princess Charlotte will be christened on 5 July at St Mary Magdalene Church, also within the Sandringham estate, in a service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge looks towards his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as they show their newly-born daughter, their second child, to the media outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in central London. The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter weighing 8lbs 3oz, Kensington Palace announced. The newly-born Princess of Cambridge is fourth in line to the British throne

He said: “I am delighted to be invited to conduct the baptism of HRH Princess Charlotte. It will be an extraordinary honour and privilege to help welcome the Princess into the family of the church. Along with her parents and all her family, I look forward to joining in this joyful day of celebration and thanksgiving.”