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. 
 
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 “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. ||||| LONDON (AP) — Two pictures have been released documenting the early days of Britain's newest prince — and one shows Prince Louis being cuddled by three-year-old big sister Princess Charlotte. 
 
 One of the photos was snapped when Louis was just three days old. He was born April 23 and went home the same day. 
 
 The two snapshots were released by Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and were taken by Kate at their home in Kensington Palace. Big brother Prince George, 4, is not in the photos. 
 
 A palace statement said Sunday that William and the duchess are "very pleased" to share the photos. 
 
 It said the royal couple want to thank the public for "all of the kind messages" received since Louis' birth.
– Two pictures have been released documenting the early days of Britain's newest prince—and one shows Prince Louis being cuddled by three-year-old big sister Princess Charlotte. One of the photos was snapped when Louis was just three days old, reports the AP. He was born April 23 and went home the same day. The two snapshots were released by Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and were taken by Kate at their home in Kensington Palace. Big brother Prince George, 4, is not in the photos. A palace statement said that William and the duchess are "very pleased" to share the photos. "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," per the statement. Normally royal parents wait about a month to release photos, so the move comes as something of a surprise to People.