A new photo of Princess Charlotte unveiled for her birthday

Her parents have described her as a 'joy from heaven' and on the eve of her second birthday, the Duchess of Cambridge has captured her little angel in an adorable new snap.

Taken at Anmer Hall, their family home in Norfolk, where she is expected to spend her birthday, Charlotte, who will turn two tomorrow (UK time), can be seen beaming at her mother as photography enthusiast Kate snaps away.

In the photo, taken in April, Charlotte can be seen wearing a traditional Fair Isle cardigan in baby blue and yellow from John Lewis with a slightly crumpled Peter Pan collar poking out of the top.

Her hair, which has grown noticeably since the last time she was photographed, has been pinned back with a navy blue ribbon, most likely by her mother in order to capture her adorable expression.

It looks as though the duchess may have handed her daughter a picture book in order to keep her sweet while she poses for the picture, the Daily Mail reports.

Charlotte, who is known for her love of animals, appears to have been photographed in the hall's barn seeming well settled in a pile of hay for her portrait.

The new photograph was shared by Kensington Palace. After sharing the image on social media, the palace gave a message of thanks on behalf of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

In a tweet, it said: "TRH would like to thank everyone for the lovely messages they have received & hope that everyone enjoys this photograph as much as they do."

It appears to be becoming quite the tradition in the Cambridge family as Charlotte's first birthday photos were also captured by the duchess.

In the four photos that were released by Kensington Palace a year ago today, saw Charlotte enjoying family life at her home. Kate also photographed her daughter with George in her first official photos, and then again when she reached six months of age.

The candid snaps that we see taken by the Duchess of Cambridge are worlds away from the official photographs taken for her brother's second birthday.

Princess Charlotte will turn two on May 2nd and is expected to spend the day at her home surrounded by family.

Charlotte might be a princess, but she's also shown herself to be an ordinary little girl who loves dogs, horses and blowing bubbles and isn't bothered about wearing her big brother George's hand-me-down blue woollen cardigan.

The toddler has had experience of her future role. She's a veteran of Trooping the Colour, as well as a Royal Tour to Canada, where her first formal duty was hosting a playdate for military children.

Charlotte's birth at 8.34am on May 2, 2015, was a moment of national celebration which also broke Britain's constitutional mould.

This daughter of the Windsor dynasty became fourth in line to the throne, the 'spare' to George, who will one day be an heir. She'll stay that way until he has children of his own, a true 21st Century princess, confident and contemporary, as well as completely enchanting.

She was named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana in tribute to her grandmother Diana, Princess of Wales and her great-grandmother the Queen.

The Cambridges will be spending more time at Kensington Palace in London when William leaves his air ambulance helicopter pilot job in the summer and devotes more time to royal duties.

George will be schooled at the private Thomas's Battersea school in September and it is likely his sister will be sent to a nursery later this year.

This article was first published on Daily Mail and is republished here with permission.