In a charming display of mother-daughter coordination, Princess Charlotte paid a sweet festive tribute to the Princess of Wales at the Royal Family's annual Christmas lunch. The ten-year-old royal arrived at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday sporting a hairstyle famously favoured by her mother, Kate Middleton.
A Festive Fashion Moment
Photographs captured the heartwarming sartorial synergy as both Charlotte and the Princess of Wales, 43, chose an elegant half-up, half-down hairstyle secured with a decorative bow barrette. While Kate fastened her caramel tresses with a black velvet bow she previously wore to the VE Day concert, her daughter opted for a vibrant red bow to complement her own velvet dress.
The Wales family's appearance was notable, as they did not attend last year's pre-Christmas gathering. Prince William and Kate were joined by their three children: Prince George, 12, Prince Louis, seven, and Charlotte, for the lavish meal hosted by King Charles before he departs for Sandringham.
For the occasion, Kate repurposed a striking red satin Alessandra Rich dress, first seen in 2019 during the filming of A Berry Royal Christmas. Her pulled-back hairstyle showcased stunning Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, valued at approximately £5,000.
A Bond On Display
The close bond between mother and daughter was visibly evident earlier this month at Kate's Christmas carol service. Footage showed Charlotte's face lighting up as she spotted her mother outside Westminster Abbey, quickening her step to reunite with her before the service.
Royal enthusiasts were quick to praise their relationship online. One social media user commented on their appearance, noting "Princess Charlotte has the grace and poise of her mother The Princess of Wales."
This festive season, Charlotte appears to have developed a fondness for the bow-adorned hairstyle, having also selected a black bow design for the carol concert earlier in December.
A History of Coordinated Style
The Buckingham Palace lunch is far from the first time the duo have showcased their coordinated style. Charlotte has been a veritable style mini-me of Kate since her earliest public appearances.
Their sartorial synergy spans numerous royal engagements:
- At Trooping the Colour following Kate's cancer treatment, they wore matching baby blue dresses.
- For the 2022 Christmas Carol service, they coordinated in head-to-toe burgundy outfits.
- During a 2022 Easter Sunday service, Kate chose a light blue Emilia Wickstead coat dress while seven-year-old Charlotte wore a floral Rachel Riley dress in the same shade.
Kate often ensures their outfits complement without directly matching. A prime example was the 2019 Sandringham Christmas service, where Kate wore a mocha coat with emerald green accessories, and Charlotte wore a coat in that same vibrant green shade.
The annual Christmas lunch saw a strong showing of royals, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor. Notably, the King welcomed his nieces, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, despite the absence of their father, Prince Andrew.
