The Duchess of Cambridge celebrated her 40th birthday on Sunday, and marked the occasion by showcasing three new official portraits with her followers. Per Kensington Palace, the new portraits were taken by fashion photographer Paolo Roversi at London's Kew Gardens back in November. They are now set to enter the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, of which Catherine is a patron. The stunning pictures look like were taken straight from an enchanting fairy tale - with Kate paying tribute to both the Queen and her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales. In each of the three portraits, Catherine wore a different gown designed by Alexander McQueen - the same legendary designer behind the beautiful dress she wore when she married Prince William back in 2011. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CYfGRPft9y3/]] The post above shows the Duchess of Cambridge looking serene in a Victorian-inspired shot, as she models a long white gown. Her side-profile also allows her fans to take notice of her pearl and diamond teardrop earrings. In fact, <a href="https://twitter.com/courtjeweller/status/1479944401996722176">in a tweet</a> from The Court Jeweller - a Twitter account that tracks the Royal Family's most notable accessories - these Collingwood earrings actually once belonged to Prince William's mom, Diana. And the touching tribute to her late mother-in-law didn't end there. The Duchess can also be seen wearing Diana's iconic sapphire engagement ring on her left hand. Eagle-eyed fans of the Royal Family may recognize the piece from Catherine's engagement photos with Prince William back in 2010. In another shot, Catherine can be seen beaming a smile straight to the camera as she wears a red dress with a statement sleeve. The Court Jeweller adds that the diamond earrings featured in this shot were actually landed to her by Queen Elizabeth II. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CYgHHPntMEm/]] In the third new official portrait, the Duchess can be seen smiling into the lens in a white ruffled gown. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CYgp4rRNm6d/]] The Duchess also took the opportunity to thank her social media followers for their birthday wishes, writing: "Thank you for all of your very kind birthday wishes, and to Paolo and the National Portrait Gallery for these three special portraits." Additionally, photographer Roversi also took to Instagram to share one of the shots and a birthday message to the Duchess: "Happy Birthday Kate! Happy to have photographed the Duchess of Cambridge for the @nationalportraitgallery on the occasion of her 40th birthday." <h6>Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy</h6>

Kate Middleton's touching nod to Princess Diana in newly-released portraits for her 40th birthday

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