The royal family might still be isolating themselves at home, but that hasn’t stopped them from celebrating special occasions. Princess Charlotte, who is Duchess Catherine and Prince William’s only daughter, turns five today (May 2), and as per tradition, the couple have treated us to a set of brand new images to mark the milestone day.

Shared by Kensington Royal on Instagram as the royal approached the big birthday, new images were shared of Charlotte from earlier last month at the Sandringham Estate, where the family helped to pack up and deliver food packages for vulnerable elderly folk, namely isolated pensioners in the local area.

The young royal is seen getting busy packing up the deliveries (which includes homemade pasta) and knocking on local doors in the pictures, which were incidentally taken by her mum (a very talented photographer, might we add).

Life in lockdown

The new set of images unsurprisingly sent fans into various states of meltdown as they revelled in how grown up the Princess is looking these days. Having just started her first year of school last September, Charlotte’s last term before the school year’s end has turned out a little differently than expected. In March, the Cambridge family journeyed back from London to their country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk where they have been self-isolating as per Britain’s lockdown. Charlotte and big brother George, six, have both been home schooled by their parents – and it seems they’ve been working extra hard.

Princess Charlotte is being homeschooled at home with her brother Prince George. Photo: TPG News

In fact, mum Catherine has been so impressed by her children’s work ethic that she decided not to them a key piece of information that may have given them a small reprieve from all the hard yakka they’d been putting in. Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier this month, Catherine revealed she hadn’t mentioned to the kids that it was in fact the school holidays, so they carried on learning as per usual!

“Don’t tell the children, we’ve actually kept [home schooling] going through the holidays. I feel very mean,” Catherine laughed during the segment, which was filmed via a video camera from their home.

Outside of home schooling, the family have been keeping themselves well occupied in other ways as well. For Charlotte’s younger brother Prince Louis’ second birthday in April, another new set of images were released, featuring the young royal playing with paint from their home in quarantine.

Photo: The Duchess of Cambridge (TPG News)

Kensington Royal shared the sweet snaps, which took everyone by surprise not least for Louis’ impeccable shirt which had somehow escaped even a splatter of the paint he was clearly throwing about. Then, in a rare reveal, the Palace later explained the flawless-looking photo shoot wasn’t everything it seemed, unveiling a hilarious new photo of the two-year-old.

“Instagram vs Reality,” the Palace quipped alongside two images of Louis, the first featuring a clean-cut royal toddler, and the second showing his rather relatable side – with paint smeared across his face.

We’ve no doubt Charlotte’s birthday has been celebrated with plenty of memorable activities, much like Louis’. Perhaps a little less paint, and more football in the backyard? We know she and George are budding players! Wishing Charlotte a very Happy Birthday!

Text: The Australian Women’s Weekly, Additional reporting: Elizabeth Liew