DREAM TEAM: COMMONWEALTH FUN AND GAMES FOR CHARLOTTE

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE CHARMS THE CROWDS ON HER FIRST SOLO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE

- SAMUEL MCMANUS-MAXWELL

The world's eyes have been on Birmingham as the city played host to the 2022 Commonwealth Games. But nothing provoked quite as much excitement among royal fans as the sight of Princess Charlotte making her debut solo outing with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

As the Queen, 96, continues to take a step back from royal duties, other senior royals - including Prince William and Kate, both 40 were representing her at this year's Games instead. And the monarch's youngest son, Prince Edward, 58, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 57, were also in attendance alongside the Cambridges last Tuesday.

Seven-year-old Charlotte wore a collared, striped dress, while Kate was immaculately turned out in a £1,945 white Alexander McQueen trouser suit.

And although it was Charlotte's little brother, four-year-old Prince Louis, who stole the show during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations at the start of the summer, it's clear to see where he gets his animated facial expressions from, with his big sister treating us to similar cheeky looks throughout the day.

However, the young royal looked less than impressed by the Games' mascot Perry the Bull, who performed a dance for Charlotte and her parents.

She was seen screwing up her face and looking slightly bemused as the multicoloured character punched the air. However, she was later spotted carrying a plush toy of Perry as she walked around Arena Birmingham.

During her busy day, Charlotte, who also attended swimming and hockey competitions, revealed she is a keen gymnast and it was this sport that she enjoyed watching the most.