Royal hand-me-downs: Prince Louis wears the same jumper Princess Charlotte wore when she was a baby

The Duchess of Cambridge is a fan of recycling favourite looks - and she is already taking the same approach when it comes to her youngest son's wardrobe.

Kate, 36, dressed Prince Louis in a matching cream jumper and trouser set previously worn by his older sister Prince Charlotte for his first official portraits, released by Kensington Palace last night. 

The touching photographs, taken by the Duchess, show Louis in the arms of Charlotte, who is herself dressed in a second-hand look - a navy blue cardigan once worn by Prince George, four, for a Vanity Fair photo shoot.

It is likely to be the first of many hand-me-downs Prince Louis will receive from his royal relatives as Kate continues the tradition of reusing her favourite children's clothes.

Designer Rachel Riley, whose clothes have been worn by George and Charlotte, said shortly after Louis' birth that it was likely he would be given hand-me-downs.

"We often see the Duchess of Cambridge wearing her favourite pieces over again, and her children have worn the same outfit for different occasions too," she told FEMAIL.

"Children’s clothes are often handed down from one sibling to the next and traditional clothes, in particular, can also be handed down from generation to generation.

"In fact, we have seen Prince George wearing the same outfit that Prince William wore, and of course, both children have been christened in the same christening gown."

Kate and William, 35, presented their new arrival to the world in a shawl from GH Hurt and Son Ltd - after opting for similar shawls for George and Charlotte when they were taken home from the hospital. 

George has been spotted in a couple of outfits handed down from his father in the past, including a blue romper suit he wore at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 2015, just before his second birthday. 

William wore the same baby-blue romper suit his dad wore at the same ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 1984. 

Young George has also been pictured in the same peter pan collar shirt and blue shorts that his father wore when he was a youngster. 

Meanwhile, Charlotte has also been spotted in hand-me-downs from her big brother, including a blue cardigan worn by George when he went to meet his baby sister in hospital in 2015. 

Charlotte wore the same cardigan by British brand Amaia during a visit to Canada the following year.

The young princess has also been pictured wearing older hand-me-downs from her uncle Prince Harry.

Charlotte wore a pair red shoes in Warsaw last summer that Harry had worn as a child in 1986.

READ MORE:

• Kensington Palace has unveiled the first official snaps of Prince Louis
• Prince Louis' birth certificate has one major difference to his siblings' - and it's for a bizarre reason

The Duchess of Cambridge is known for recycling her own looks, including her maternity wardrobe. 

A source has previously revealed how the new prince's new nursery will also feature items from when Kate and William's elder two children were babies. 

The insider revealed to US Weekly: "It will be filled with hand-me-downs and George and Charlotte's old toys."

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