Princess Charlotte Breaks Royal Etiquette With New Dress Photos

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Princess Charlotte is already a fashion trendsetter like her mom, Kate Middleton.

Despite the reported tradition that royal girls avoid wearing dresses until age 1, the 6-month-old is modeling an adorable Liberty print dress, pink cashmere cardigan, and Amaia Kids pink tights in two new official photos released on Sunday by Kensington Palace.

STORY: Why Kate Middleton Is Avoiding Dresses for Princess Charlotte Until She’s 1

“The Duke and Duchess hope everyone enjoys these new photos of Princess Charlotte as much as they do,” reads the caption on the Palace’s Twitter photographs, snapped at her Anmer Hall home in Norfolk, England, in early November. And while there’s no word yet on how many ‘awwws’ the images inspired, the pictures have been well received on Twitter, with more than 14,000 retweets and 23,000 likes in less than 24 hours. The public, it would seem, isn’t at all irked by the fact that the fourth in line to the throne isn’t outfitted in a onesie.

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(Photo: HRH The Duchess of Cambridge via Getty Images)

“There is nothing in the royal rule book that says you can’t wear a dress until 1,” CNN royals contributor Victoria Arbiter tells Yahoo Parenting. “Perhaps she was dressed up for a family event, but probably Kate just saw her looking precious and gorgeous and snapped a picture. I don’t think it’s calculated to send a message; that’s not how the royals think at all.”

STORY: Kate Middleton, Prince William’s Home Will Be a No-Fly Zone

The idea that Charlotte wouldn’t wear a frock until her birthday in May was a hot topic in September, when Kate Middleton’s favored kids’ designer, Rachel Riley, spoke out about the baby, who wore an elaborate lace and satin christening gown for her christening in July (see below). “Because they’re a traditional family, I’m sure that she’ll wear baby suits for the first year, and then only when she’s walking will she then move into dresses,” the British babywear creator told People. “Even in terms of separates, I don’t think she’ll be wearing separates until much later.”

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(Photo: Getty Images)

So though it may have come as a bit of a surprise for royal watchers to see the tot sporting a dress so soon, Charlotte’s understated outfit itself was hardly shocking. “It’s in keeping with Kate’s style,” Arbiter tells Yahoo Parenting, noting that George dresses in classic ensembles as well, such as smocked two piece outfits (below). “It’s soft and feminine, beautiful and light. And in that really gentle pose, it’s just lovely.”

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Prince George (Photo: Getty Images)

The image is noteworthy, too, for the glimpse it gives the public of the family — because the photographer was none other than the Duchess of Cambridge. And this isn’t the first time that Kate is credited as the family shutterbug, as the first photo of Charlotte with her older brother, Prince George, released in June, was taken by her as well.

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(Photo: HRH The Duchess of Cambridge via Getty Images)

“They’re determined to maintain the kids’ privacy, but they respect that there’s public interest in them,” says Arbiter. “So releasing photos like this is a way to keep the paparazzi at bay and satisfy the interest. [Charlotte and George] are after all, beautiful children.”

(Top photo: HRH The Duchess of Cambridge via Getty Images)

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