Princess Charlotte's appearance at the Commonwealth Games marked her first public outing without her brothers.
The seven-year-old seemed a natural in the spotlight as she was guided on her day out by her parents, who took her to watch swimming, hockey and gymnastics.
And nobody seemed prouder of Charlotte than her dad Prince William, who could be seen offering reassurance to his daughter alongside his wife Kate.
There were several moments when the second-in-line to the throne offered his daughter support by showering her with affection.
At one point, he tucked her hair behind her ears and tried to boost her spirits when she seemed a little bored and restless while watching the hockey.
And their heartwarming bond didn't go unnoticed by royal fans, who were quick to point out the special father-daughter bond on social media.
One wrote on Twitter : "I did notice that Charlotte is very fond of William and vice versa. She was very engaged with him and snuggling up to him. They have a good bond as father and daughter."
Another added: "Prince William and Princess Charlotte are so cute!"
Love the royals? Sign up for the Mirror's daily newsletter to get all the latest news on the Queen, Charles, Kate, Wills, Meghan, Harry and the rest of The Firm. Click here to sign up.
One wrote: "Sweetheart Charlotte loves her papa William."
While another said: "These pictures of Prince William and Princess Charlotte warm my heart."
During her day out, Charlotte was pictured pulling a range of expressions – and even sticking her tongue out – as she enjoyed swimming heats, a hockey match and, at the end of her day, artistic gymnastics.
Charlotte was described as “charming” by Tim Lawler, chief executive of SportsAid, who hosted the royal visit to Birmingham University, where the royals learnt about the Team England Futures initiative.
She appeared curious about her surroundings and the people around her at the university site, and a little apprehensive at times, but received a reassuring arm around her shoulder or word in her ear from William, and held Kate’s hand at other moments.
The young princess revealed gymnastics was the sport she liked most and joined a nutritional workshop helping her parents place pictures of foods such as nuts, bread and grapes into the right groups, whether protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants or healthy fats.
At one point Charlotte was asked to update a Team England medal board and added a bronze, won in the men’s team table tennis event, and a silver from the lawn bowls men’s pairs.
Mr Lawler, whose organisation SportsAid is a partner body of Team England Futures, said: “I did notice the duke and the duchess, as we were trying to do, include Charlotte in the conversations.
"We were very mindful of that and it was really very evident the duke and duchess were doing that to, I suppose, include her and reassure her."
