Princess Charlotte is rapidly maturing, and her recent public appearances have showcased her growing confidence and evolving sense of style. This noticeable development was highlighted during the 2024 Trooping the Colour, where Charlotte’s behavior and fashion sense seemed to attract attention and spark discussion among royal observers.
The 2024 Trooping the Colour was a significant event, marking King Charles’s official birthday and featuring the first public appearance of Princess Kate since revealing her battle with cancer. Having completed her chemotherapy treatment, Kate received a warm and supportive reception from the crowd as she joined her family on the Buckingham Palace balcony. However, it was Princess Charlotte’s emerging individuality that captured the spotlight in an unexpected way.
During the event, some spectators noted a subtle but apparent disagreement between Charlotte and Kate regarding the young princess’s hairstyle. A video shared on Instagram highlighted this interaction, showing Kate repeatedly adjusting Charlotte’s long hair, pulling it back over her shoulder. Despite her mother’s efforts, Charlotte persistently attempted to wear her hair at the front. This small but visible disagreement drew attention from social media users, many of whom remarked on how quickly Charlotte is asserting her own preferences and developing a distinct personal style. Comments on social media included observations like, “This is literally me all the time and my mum just puts it back,” and “Same Charlotte… it shapes my face,” reflecting a sense of familiarity with Charlotte’s quest for independence in her appearance.
In addition to this moment of individuality, the Trooping the Colour event featured a charming display of mother-daughter coordination. Charlotte was dressed in a navy sailor-style dress, reminiscent of Kate’s Jenny Packham gown, which featured a white column and a navy-and-white striped bow at the neckline. Charlotte’s outfit was adorned with white piping around the waist and sleeves and a white bow in her hair, complemented by a pair of white Mary-Jane shoes. This coordination underscored the strong bond between the Princess and her daughter, even as Charlotte begins to carve out her own style.
This is not the first time Charlotte and Kate have matched their outfits. One of their most notable coordinated moments was during the Coronation of King Charles, where both wore elegant flower crowns designed by Jess Collet and Alexander McQueen. Such instances highlight the evolving fashion partnership between mother and daughter, as Charlotte’s style increasingly mirrors and yet distinguishes itself from her mother’s.
Charlotte’s fashion evolution has been evident over the years. For example, her appearance at Wimbledon in 2024 was marked by a shift in her sartorial choices. She wore a polka dot dress paired with pink Ray-Ban sunglasses and a hint of lip gloss, signaling a transition from her previous more juvenile attire to a more sophisticated look. Bethan Holt, Style Director at the Daily Telegraph, commented on this development, noting, “It felt like a bit of a milestone, like she’s transitioning from a sweet little girl in smocked floral dresses to a slightly more grown-up tween vibe.”
This gradual shift in Charlotte’s fashion choices reflects her personal growth and increasing confidence as she steps further into the public eye. As she matures, Charlotte’s style continues to evolve, embodying a blend of youthful charm and emerging individuality. The moments of coordination and subtle disagreements with her mother illustrate a natural process of growing up and developing a unique identity, even within the context of royal life.