Princess Charlotte is adorable in new birthday photos taken by Kate Middleton

Princess Charlotte turned 4 on May 2, and her parents shared three new photos of their daughter as an adorable way to celebrate. The photos were taken in April and released just ahead of her birthday on May 1.

Kate Middleton was behind the lens for the series of photographs and managed to catch her daughter posing as well as playing outside of Kensington Palace and their home in Norfolk.

The images were shared on Instagram along with the caption:

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share three new photographs of Princess Charlotte ahead of her fourth birthday.”

The princess couldn’t be cuter if she tried:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw72MZGlW5P/

She seems to be having so much fun while having her mom as her photographer:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw72IsRF3xC/

Although she couldn’t look more like her dad, especially in this image:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw72FBtlXmG/

Is she a mini version of her dad with that smile and those cheeks or what?:

These sweet photos come about a week after the Duke and Duchess released photos of Prince Louis in honor of his first birthday.

The prince also posed outside for these photos and wore the most adorable little cardigans:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwkq–RFHDM/

The photos were also taken by Middleton and shared with the world on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwkq68KF-xS/

She’s clearly a proud mom and, at this rate, she’s definitely going to spoil us with all of the photos of her children. But who are we kidding? We can’t get enough of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — so keep those photos coming!

Of course, her mom isn’t always the one behind the camera. At this point, Princess Charlotte has already become quite accustomed to having her photo taken due to her status in the public eye — at the ripe old age of 4, mind you! And she’s definitely given photographers many opportunities for good shots, playfully sticking out her tongue and more whenever it’s time to have her picture taken.

For example, she waved for the cameras at the royal wedding for her uncle, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle:

But then she also jokingly stuck her tongue out:

She’s already nailed the turn-around-and-give-them-a-wave pose, as she’s demonstrated on multiple occasions:

And here she is at it again:

Although she can play a more serious tone very well, too, as evidenced by these family portraits:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlRHgLoHq1K/

The role of big sister suits her well:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlRHhdennQ7/

She’s growing up to be quite the character, and we can’t wait to see what another year will bring as she prepares to turn 5 and reportedly start school alongside her big brother.

They grow up so quickly, don’t they?