Kensington Palace has surprised followers by releasing two new photos of Princess Charlotte on its Instagram account.

Since her birth in May this year, baby Charlotte has barely been seen in the media, with the last images released after her christening in July.

But on Monday, the Kensington account posted two images of the princess wearing a paisley dress and pink cardigan, watermarked with the copyright “HRH Duchess of Cambridge”.

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“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to be able to share two new photographs of Princess Charlotte,” read the captions.

A more pensive snap of the princess. Photo: Instagram

“They were taken by The Duchess in early November at their home in Norfolk.

“The Duke and Duchess continue to receive warm messages about Princess Charlotte from all around the world and they hope that everyone enjoys these lovely photos as much as they do.”

In the first image, six-month-old Charlotte is sitting in a lounge chair and looking into the distance thoughtfully, while in the second she ecstatically laughs with a soft toy bunny.

Aside from being taken by Kate Middleton herself and not a royal photographer, the images have a particularly personal touch, having been snapped at the Duke and Duchess’ private home in Norfolk, Anmer House.

Kate and William were gifted the house by the Queen after their wedding, and are believed to live a reasonably normal life there compared with past British monarchs.

Princess Charlotte is said to be the more demure of the couple’s two children, with cheeky Prince George described as “lively” by his father.