Princess Charlotte mimicked her mum Princess Kate in many ways at the King's birthday celebrations today, a body language expert has said to the Mirror.
The Princess of Wales announced yesterday that she would be attending the annual event, Trooping the Colour, alongside her husband Prince William, their three children, Prince George, Charlotte and Prince Louis, and the rest of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace. The outing marks her welcomed return to the spotlight.
It was also her children's first major royal appearance of the year and all three were in good spirits as George, 10, appeared on best behaviour, while his younger brother, Louis, six, was up to his usual cheeky tricks. Charlotte beamed as she wore a navy dress with a white bow, with her hair tied back away from her face.
Charlotte, in addition to coordinating with her mum's outfit, was the spitting image of the Princess in her actions and demeanour. Body language expert Judi James analysed the young princess and noted many similarities between her and Kate, including her 'pitch-perfect' royal smile as she grinned at royal fans at The Mall.
Speaking to the Mirror, Judi explained: "Sweetly and adorably it seemed to be Charlotte stepping up to delegate some of her mother's body language rituals. Her smile from the carriage was so like Kate's pitch-perfect royal smile and she used eye-engage on the crowds as she waved with enthusiasm."
Prince William secretly took Kate on 007-style Aston Martin test driveCharlotte was also seen taking it upon herself to clean the windows of the carriage when the rainy weather steamed the glass. The 10-year-old wiped the fog away with her bare hands so onlookers could see her and her siblings passing by. Meanwhile, her mum Kate smiled and her younger brother Louis waved out.
Charlotte also appeared to remind Louis who was the boss on the balcony and instructed him to stand straight with his hands by his side as the national anthem played. Judi said: "As Kate and her three children watched from the open window, it was Kate standing at the back of the group while Charlotte beamed down with an expression of pride, even appearing to mutter to Louis to ensure he stood to attention as she did while the National Anthem was being played."
It was the first time Kate had been pictured in public with her children since she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery in January. In a statement released by the Palace yesterday, Kate said she has "good days and bad days" amid her preventative chemotherapy treatment.
The Princess added that she "hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer" as she continues treatment for cancer "for a few months". Kate, who is the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, did not attend the Colonel's Review on June 8 - the traditional rehearsal for the birthday parade - but wrote to them to apologise for missing it and wished them luck.
The Waleses have been keen to keep to their normal routine. in recent months, and eldest child George has been seen out with William several times, most notably at the FA Cup final last month. During his visit to see Gareth Southgate's men before they left for Germany, William also got the opportunity to give the players a pep talk and he shared Louis' words of wisdom.
He said: "Guys, while I was on the way here, I was thinking what shall I say. And I thought what can I offer as you are all an experienced team here with Gareth and I was thinking what could I say to help before you went away?
"And I was on the school run this morning with the children and I said, 'What shall I say to the England team today'. The best bit of advice I got was to eat twice the amount you would normally eat. And I now have visions of all of you running around with massive tummies and getting stitches on the pitch. So I think take my youngest's advice with a pinch of salt!"