Kate Middleton looks straight out of a fairytale in new portraits ahead of 40th birthday

Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge, or as she's more commonly known, Kate Middleton looks like she's emerging straight out of a fairytale in the new portraits released by Buckingham Palace ahead of the future Queen of England's 40th birthday on Jan. 9. The portraits, taken by fashion photographer Paolo Roversi, show the gorgeous mom-of-three looking timelessly chic in different Alexander McQueen ballgowns definitely fit for a Queen.

They will go on display this year in three areas - Berkshire, St Andrews, and Anglesey - where Kate Middleton has lived. They will then be housed in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London, UK.

A Palace source revealed that the three portraits released to the public depict "three aspects" of Kate Middleton's "personality"

"From the three photographs, you can see the three aspects of Kate's personality. There is the regal side to her – as you can see in the classic shot where she is looking off into the distance; there is the more informal image in the red dress as a modern woman at 40; and then there is the close-up, which offers a more intimate perspective."

- Palace source

Check out the gorgeous portraits of Kate Middleton below!