PRINCESS Charlotte is turning 10 this week and is quickly becoming a style icon with her fashion look.
However, it turns out that the young royal’s outfits may be more strategic than just randomly-selected stylish items.
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According to fashion expert Amber Graafland, Princess Charlotte is following in the footsteps of mum Princess Kate, 43, who “carefully considers” her outfits and “conveys messages” with them.
The style pro told Fabulous: “Princess Kate has perfected the art of effective communication through the language of clothes.
“Kate often uses her impeccable style to nod to her hosts on official visits.
“As Kate has become more comfortable with positioning Charlotte in the public eye, she has also started using her clothes to convey hidden messages.”
More on Princess Charlotte
Mini me style
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One of the key style decisions we are seeing with mum-and-daughter duo Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte is their matching looks.
And it turns out there may be a poignant reason for this, and not just because it looks good in photographs.
We saw an example of their carefully coordinated outfits at Trooping the Colour last year, according to Amber.
She explained: “For her first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer, Kate wore a white Jenny Packman dress with black piping detail around the hem, and a monochrome bow placed perfectly on her right shoulder.
“Princess Charlotte was dressed in a complimenting navy dress with white piping and bow detail, with an underlying nautical style.
“The matching outfits not only highlighted Kate and Charlotte’s close bond but made a strong public impression.”
Historical nods
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Not only does matching outfits show their unity but also can have some royal ties too.
Speaking of Charlotte’s Trooping the Colour outfit, Amber said: “Charlotte’s outfit also held several hidden messages and meanings.
“Her sailor-inspired dress was a nod to historical royal style, dating as far back as Queen Victoria who commissioned a miniature sailor’s uniform for her son Prince Albert Edward.
“Albert wore the outfit on the Royal Yacht while the family sailed around the Channel Islands.
“Since then, the sailor-inspired trend has been a favourite amongst the royal family, with children often being dressed in matching ensembles, including King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry.”
Nods to ‘missing’ Diana
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Another way Princess Charlotte’s outfits have a poignant nod is with paying tribute to family members.
Amber explained: “Posing for the family Christmas card in 2023 Princess Kate dressed her daughter in a white blouse that appeared to honour the later grandmother, Princess Diana.
“Charlotte was dressed in the Diana blouse from Amaia Kids, a touching nod to the relative that they were clearly missing at Christmas.”
Respect to royals
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We’ve increasingly seen Princess Charlotte attend high profile events, including accompanying Princess Kate to Wimbledon.
In 2023, the stylish royal wore a knee length dress with flutter sleeves and a shirred panel on the waist from Spanish brand Friki – and it was possibly not a random choice.
Amber claimed: “The outfit has been carefully chosen as Charlotte joined Princess Kate, Prince William and Prince George on centre court to watch Carlos Alcaraz play Novak Djokovic in the men’s final.
“The £169 dress was from Spanish brand Friki, chosen in honour of King Felipe of Spain, who was also at Wimbledon, supporting Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz, who went on to win the men’s final.
“King Felipe made time to speak to Princess Charlotte, chatting to her in the royal box.
“Charlotte’s dress choice served as a homage, and perhaps a hint as to the player she was supporting in the final.”
Welsh duties
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With her parents being the Prince and Princess of Wales, it is unsurprising that the family tries to show their dedication through their ensembles.
The fashion expert said Princess Charlotte was dressed to do this at Trooping the Colour in 2023.
She explained: “Marking the first King’s Birthday parade since King Charles had taken the throne and since Kate and William had been given the titles Prince and Princess of Wales, it was important to send a united message.
“As a nod to her new role as Colonel of the Irish Guards Princess Kate opted to wear green.
“Charlotte was dressed in a white dress with red lining that matched the shared red of her brother’s tie and navy jackets, which had been carefully chosen to represent the colours of the Welsh flag.
“The outfits had clearly been orchestrated to show respect, and as a nod to their new titles, which they had only been given nine months before.”
The poignant meaning behind Princess Charlotte’s name
PRINCESS Charlotte was born on May 2, 2015, at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, and we’ve seen her grow into a sweet “mini-me” of mum, Kate.
She was brought into the world in the infamous Lindo Wing, and weighed 8lbs 3oz.
Her full name – Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Wales – has some very sentimental ties.
Her middle names are those of both her late grandmother, Princess Diana, and her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.