Princess Charlotte starts tennis

With her mother a keen tennis fan, it is no surprise that Princess Charlotte has taken an interest in the sport.

She may be yet to start nursery but two-year-old Charlotte has already started tennis lessons at one of the country's most exclusive clubs.

And despite her small stature sources have described the toddler as a "natural tennis player".

A source told The Sun: "She might not be three until May but they were convinced she'd love it and so far she has. She seems a bit of a natural."

But while Charlotte is said to be making great progress at her lessons at the Hurlingham Club fellow members aren't thrilled with her tuition.

According to paper, some are unhappy about the fact that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are not club members.

Founded in 1869, rules state that non-members may only play on the court if directly invited by another member - something that William and Kate appear to have bypassed.

The source added: "Unfortunately some patrons feel Charlotte shouldn't be allowed to play there.

"Club rules are usually very rigid, and they don't see why exceptions should be made, even if they happen to be royal."

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for a comment.

Charlotte's interest in the sport comes as no surprise to her mother being a keen tennis fan and patron of the London Tennis Association, having taken over the post from the Queen.

The Queen was a patron of the LTA, which is the national governing body of tennis in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, for 64 years.

This article was first published at nzherald.co.nz and was republished here with permission.