First official pictures of Princess Charlotte with brother Prince George released

The first pictures of Britain's newly-born Princess Charlotte in the arms of her elder brother Prince George, giving her a kiss have been released by their parents Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Four pictures, released on Saturday by Kensington Palace taken by the Duchess of Cambridge show the princess being cradled by George as they sit on a cream couch at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, the family's home in eastern England.

The pictures were taken just weeks after Princess Charlotte was born on May 2. In an earlier tweet, Kensington Palace said the images were "very special". In each of the pictures, Charlotte is lying on her brother's lap, wearing white sweater. The prince is wearing a white shirt, blue shorts and blue socks. In one, he appears to be kissing his sister on the forehead.

Pictures of the royal children on Twitter:

Prince George and Princess Charlotte together at home #WelcomeToTheFamily pic.twitter.com/ednbofPp7v

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 6, 2015

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children have been at Anmer Hall on Queen Elizabeth II's Sandringham estate since leaving London shortly after the birth of the princess. The family is expected to be based there for the next few years with Princess Charlotte and Prince George, who is almost two, as well as a full-time nanny. Photography is listed as one of Kate's hobbies in her biography on the UK's royal website and the pictures were taken on a Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera.

The first official images of Prince George, released in 2013, were taken by Kate's father, Michael Middleton, in the garden of their home in Bucklebury, Berkshire. The princess is fourth in line to the throne after her brother Prince George, who was born on July 22, 2013.

She has been registered as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge. She will be christened at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate on July 5. The release of official pictures is in line with Kate and William's unofficial pact with the British media to allow the royal family some privacy from overly intrusive paparazzi. 

The royals tweeted a big thank you to the many school childreb who made handmade gifts for the little princess, as well as wonderful messages:

Thank you to everyone who took the time to make handmade gifts for Princess Charlotte - here are a few of them! pic.twitter.com/HgakDrRHXr

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 6, 2015

The Duke & Duchess are very grateful for the wonderful messages they've received on the birth of Princess Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/HOI0Xp2d7r

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 6, 2015

With the exciting news, many took to Twitter to express their delight over seeing the youngest royals together. Check out some of the tweets:

So absolutely adorable. “@KensingtonRoyal: Prince George and Princess Charlotte together at home #WelcomeToTheFamily pic.twitter.com/rm4ckRdZsM”

— Helen Rumney (@helenka6) June 6, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal Cuteness overload!!!!

— Sally R (@film58) June 6, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal the most beautiful family

— katie (@Kaaaaatie_x) June 6, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal Bless Them 

— Mario PT (@drmario78) June 6, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal Most precious pictures ever. Absolutely beautiful. Now we need a family picture. 

— Andrea Leader (@faiths2s) June 6, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal omg how cute!!!! Cuteness overload!!

— Hooson♡ (@FfionHooson0) June 6, 2015

@KensingtonRoyal @kavn beyond precious!!

— Kay (@dulcedulcevida) June 6, 2015

Too cute to handle!! #WelcomeToTheFamily https://t.co/HJvrB74Szv

— Rachael Kay Lockwood (@misslockwood) June 7, 2015

Can't stop staring at their photos, cuteness overload! #WelcomeToTheFamily #PrinceGeorge #PrincessCharlotte https://t.co/J3rD2bXIYS

— ǁŁŁǁ ₦λJ₩λ SλÐÐǁQUE (@illisaddique) June 7, 2015

Look at all this cuteness across the pond! Just precious! #WelcomeToTheFamily #RoyalFamily #Royals https://t.co/YmCm1v4wV5

— Tara Young (@youngster2574) June 7, 2015

(With Agency Inputs)