The nation rejoiced yesterday with the exciting news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be welcoming their third child.
With Kensington Palace confirming the upcoming royal birth, we look back at some of the happiest moments from the young royals’ lives so far.
These pictures chart how Prince George has flourished from an adorable bundle tenderly held in his mother’s arms to a caring big brother for little sister Charlotte.
And the highlights of perfect Princess Charlotte’s life are remembered including her turn as a flower girl at Aunt Pippa’s wedding.
A mother’s delight: Kate’s smile lights up the nation as she leaves hospital with Princess Charlotte in May 2015
Kate departs The Lindo Wing with George two years earlier. Now we have the thrilling news that baby No 3 is on the way
First gorgeous George melted our hearts…
Welcome to the world: This adorable bundle, wrapped in a woollen blanket and cradled in his mother’s loving arms, is the day-old George as he is taken home to Kensington Palace by his parents on July 23, 2013
We’re a family: A delightful informal photo taken by grandad Michael at the Middletons’ home in Bucklebury, Berkshire
Proud dad: William holds George at his christening in London in October 2013
The playful Prince: George wins a legion of fans Down Under in April 2014 as he enjoys himself during his first official tour in New Zealand — and then gives his mum a cuddle
Here’s looking at you, kid: Kate and William’s dog Lupo gazes at adorable George in a portrait at Kensington Palace when he was eight months old
First steps: The toddler Prince masters the art of walking using his arms to steady himself
I’ll take care of you: Kate snapped this tender moment at Anmer Hall, Norfolk, after Charlotte’s birth in 2015
…then along came a perfect Princess
Pleased to meet you: The world gets its first glimpse of Charlotte outside St Mary’s Hospital, London, in May 2015
We couldn’t be happier: The Duke and Duchess released this photo of their family at Kensington Palace, taken in late October 2015, to coincide with Christmas and the announcement that Prince George would start nursery that January
A girl just wants to have fun: Little Princess Charlotte is captured left – again by her talented photographer mother – squealing with delight as she plays with her teddy bear at Anmer Hall and, right, enjoying herself in the garden with a trolley full of coloured alphabet bricks
Snow Princess: A toothy smile and a little cold red nose on her first Alpine skiing holiday with dad William in March last year
There’s the photographers, Mum: Getting used to royal life on a tour of Canada last October
I’m two today: A faraway look in Charlotte’s eyes in this birthday portrait taken by Kate
Duty calls: Charlotte on parade as a flower girl at Aunt Pippa’s wedding in May this year
Double trouble: Charlotte, George and the royal party on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour in June
What fun we’ll have with out little playmate!
And soon there will be three: George and Charlotte are looking forward to the new arrival