Image copyright HRH The Duchess of Cambridge 
 
 A photograph of Princess Charlotte has been released by Kensington Palace to mark her second birthday on Tuesday. 
 
 The picture, taken in April by her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, shows the princess at the family's home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. 
 
 The couple released a similar photograph of Charlotte last year to celebrate her turning one. 
 
 Kensington Palace said they "hope that everyone enjoys this photograph of Princess Charlotte as much as they do". 
 
 In the image, Charlotte is wearing a knitted yellow cardigan with a sheep motif and a navy blue clip in her hair. 
 
 The family is expected to throw a birthday party for the Princess. 
 
 Image copyright PA Image caption The princess was first pictured leaving St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, with her parents 
 
 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge keep Charlotte out of the public eye, but she was pictured at the Christmas Day church service in the village of Bucklebury in Berkshire. 
 
 Another notable appearance was during the family's tour of Canada, where she was seen several times including at a children's party in Victoria, British Colombia. 
 
 The palace said in a statement: "The Duke and Duchess are very pleased to share this photograph as they celebrate Princess Charlotte's second birthday. 
 
 "Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank everyone for all of the lovely messages they have received." 
 
 Image copyright PA Image caption Prince George pictured enjoying his big brother duties 
 
 Image copyright HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Image caption Photographs taken by the Duchess of Cambridge were also released for the princess's first birthday 
 
 Image copyright HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Image caption Charlotte was seen walking for the first time in this image released to mark her turning one last year 
 
 Princess Charlotte will be a bridesmaid at her aunt Pippa Middleton's wedding later this month. Her brother, George, will be a page boy at the ceremony. 
 
 When Prince William leaves his air ambulance post, the family will spend more time at Kensington Palace as the duke carries more of his royal duties. 
 
 Image copyright PA Image caption Prince George checks on his sister at Charlotte's christening 
 
 Image copyright PA Image caption The princess is largely kept out of the public eye, but was pictured attending a Christmas Day service with her parents and brother 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Princess Charlotte gives some balloons the royal seal of approval 
 
 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Prince George and Princess Charlotte accompanied their parents on a tour of Canada, where here they are pictured at a children's party for military families in Victoria 
 
 Image copyright PA Image caption Princess Charlotte and the Duchess of Cambridge during the family's tour of Canada 
 
 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Charlotte, pictured with her mother in Canada in September 2016 
 
 Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning ||||| Happy birthday, Princess Charlotte! 
 
 In honor of Charlotte’s second birthday on May 2, proud parents Prince William and Princess Kate released a new photo Monday morning — and it is royally adorable. 
 
 Photographed by her mom Kate in the grounds of the family’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall in April, Charlotte’s longer hair is held back by a navy bow from one of Kate’s favorite children’s stores, Amaia, and her bright yellow cardigan is suitably spring-like. 
 
 In a statement, her parents said they were “delighted to share” the snap and thanked “everyone for all of the lovely messages they have received, and hope that everyone enjoys this photograph of Princess Charlotte as much as they do.” 
 
 The Duchess of Cambridge/PA Wire 
 
 The little princess’s birthday will be spent at home “privately” where there will be a family celebration. Her big day comes after a public holiday for May Day in the U.K, so her family and friends will have no trouble getting time off to help the royal family toast the little one. 
 
 It has been a big year for Charlotte. She traveled on her first royal tour in September, and the world got their first glimpse at her fun and independent personality during her first public playdate in Canada. 
 
 Pool/Sam Hussein/WireImage 
 
 She also had a memorable (candy-filled!) walk to church on Christmas morning. And the littlest royal is gearing up for another big role when she walks down the aisle as a bridesmaid in aunt Pippa Middleton’s wedding on May 20. Big brother Prince George will join her as a page boy. 
 
 Danny Martindale/WireImage 
 
 Candid portraits have become a tradition for the royal family. For Charlotte’s first birthday, mom Kate got behind the camera to take the sweet pictures, which showed Charlotte playing around the family’s home of Anmer Hall in adorable pink and blue outfits (with matching bows!). 
 
 Source Kensington Royal/Twitter 
 
 Prince George is used to showing off for the camera, too. Last July, he took a cute set of photos to celebrate his third birthday. 
 
 Matt Porteous/PA 
 
 Matt Porteous/Handout via AP 
 
 One snap showed George feeding the family dog, Lupo, ice cream in the garden. In another, the barefoot future king stood on a swing dedicated to his parents “William & Catherine.” A similar shot shows chubby-cheeked George looking directly into the camera. 
 
 And as always, the royal tot’s ensembles sold out immediately following the release of the photos — a fashion effect Charlotte has demonstrated as well! ||||| Prince Louis is already a natural in front of the camera! 
 
 To mark the birth of the royal baby and to celebrate his big sister Princess Charlotte’s third birthday, proud parents Prince William and Kate Middleton shared two new photos of the siblings on Saturday. 
 
 The adorable photo of Charlotte and Louis was taken on May 2 (Charlotte’s birthday). Already a protective big sister, Charlotte cradles Louis in her lap and places a sweet kiss on her sleeping baby brother’s head. 
 
 The solo photo of Louis was taken on April 26, just three days after his birth. And the new prince is wide awake in his first-ever portrait. 
 
 Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte Duchess of Cambridge/PA Wire 
 
 Prince Louis Duchess of Cambridge/PA Wire 
 
 Wearing a cozy white outfit, the photo gives the world the first glimpse of Louis’ bright eyes and dark hair, proving he is already taking after his big sister (big brother Prince George was born with blonde hair). 
 
 Both photos were taken by Kate at the family’s home at Kensington Palace. 
 
 The release of the photos comes as a surprise, as the royal parents usually share their children’s first portraits about a month after their births. 
 
 Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! 
 
 “Their Royal Highnesses would like to thank members of the public for all of the kind messages they have received following the birth of Prince Louis, and for Princess Charlotte’s third birthday,” Kensington Palace announced. 
 
 Kate, who studied art history at the University of St. Andrews, is a keen photographer and regularly shares photos she’s taken of her royal children. From birthday shots to first day of school moments, the royal mom of three can usually be found behind the camera capturing her family’s special memories. 
 
 The sweet shot of Charlotte and Louis is part of a family tradition. The photo is very similar to the portraits Kate took of a then one-month-old Princess Charlotte with big brother Prince George in June 2015. 
 
 Prince George and Princess Charlotte in 2015 REX/Shutterstock 
 
 The royal parents took the same low-key route for the siblings’ first photos together with Kate as the photographer. She even got little George to plant a sweet kiss on his sister’s head in one of the shots. The photos were also taken in a familiar place — the couple’s country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, England. 
 
 Prince George and Princess Charlotte in 2015 REX/Shutterstock 
 
 George’s very first portrait, which was taken by grandpa Michael Middleton at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, England, had an even more casual feel. The sweet shots were taken in the Middleton’s backyard and even featured the family’s cocker spaniel, Lupo and the Middleton’s dog Tilly. 
 
 Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince George in August 2013 Michael Middleton/Kensington Palace/Getty Images 
 
 Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince George in August 2013 Michael Middleton/Kensington Palace/Getty Images 
 
 Louis’ next big appearance will be at his upcoming royal christening, which will likely occur in July. Kate, however, will make her first post-baby debut at the wedding of her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, and sister-in-law-to-be, Meghan Markle, at Windsor Castle on May 19. 
 
 PEOPLE’s new special edition, William, Kate & Family Welcome Prince Louis, a photo-filled celebration of new arrival Prince Louis and the royal childhoods of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, is available now on Amazon and wherever magazines are sold. 
 
 Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Louis Samir Hussein/WireImage 
 
 Prince Louis, who will be nearly four weeks old at the time of the wedding, will remain home — but his older siblings, 4-year-old Prince George and 3-year-old Princess Charlotte, are expected to play a part.
– Prince William and his wife Kate have released a photo of Princess Charlotte ahead of her 2nd birthday, which People reports will be spent "privately" at home. The photo taken by the Duchess of Cambridge was distributed Monday, one day before Charlotte turns two. It shows Charlotte on the grounds of Anmer Hall, the family's country home, wearing a yellow cardigan sweater decorated with images of sheep, reports the AP. The family is expected to spend more time in London in the coming years. Their London base is at Kensington Palace. Charlotte's older brother, Prince George, 3, plans to attend a London school in September. As for the next big thing for Charlotte, the BBC notes she'll be part of the wedding party for Pippa Middleton's May 20 nuptials.