Prince George and Princess Charlotte both made their royal Christmas walk debuts this year, joining their family members on a jaunt to Christmas Day services at Sandringham's St. Mary Magdalene—but it was Charlotte that stole the show.
The young princess was holding hands with her mother, Kate Middleton, as the family left church. Kate, seeing the Queen, gave her mother-in-law a dutiful curtsy. Soon after, Charlotte followed suit, impressing onlookers with her royal etiquette.
This Christmas Day walk has been a tradition for some time, and fans make a point to come out and greet the Windsors as they make their way to church. The youngest royals, though, usually stay home until they're deemed old enough—which George, 6, and Charlotte, 4, apparently are. That's in line with royal precedent, as Prince William first joined the event at five years old, and Prince Harry did the same at four. (Sadly, it seems that we'll have to wait a bit for their one-and-a-half-year-old sibling, Prince Louis, to join them.)
You can see the moment at around the 0:20 mark.
Another onlooker caught the adorable moment that a royal aide tried to take Princess Charlotte's flowers—which had presumably been gifted to her by a well-wisher—and Charlotte refused to let her, shaking her head and turning away. You hang on to those flowers, Charlotte! (You can watch the video here.)
Indeed, George and Charlotte are growing up quickly. This fall, Charlotte joined her older brother at Thomas's Battersea, a tony private school in London. The four-year-old was reportedly very excited to enroll. "She can’t wait to be with George at big school," a source told People earlier this year. "She is so excited about it all."
Kate and Prince William escorted the pair on Charlotte's first day of school, and the princess happily greeted her new lower school head—displaying the same maturity as she did this Christmas, with her near-perfect curtsy.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Meghan Markle's BFF Slams British Media for Photoshopping Royal Christmas Card
Kate Middleton's Green Emmy Shoes From Her Sandringham Walk Are Shoppable
Chloe is a News Writer for Townandcountrymag.com, where she covers royal news, from the latest additions to Meghan Markle’s staff to Queen Elizabeth’s monochrome fashions; she also writes about culture, often dissecting TV shows like The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Killing Eve.
-
Stephen Colbert Finally Addresses His Crass Joke About Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Rose Hanbury—But Stops Short of Apologizing
He joins a chorus of celebrities eating their words after Kate’s announcement Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
No to New Clothes, Yes to Personal Style
TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge convinced people to stop shopping and to wear what was already in their closets. Did it work?
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Kim Kardashian and Odell Beckham Jr. Reportedly Call It Quits After 6 Months of Dating
Amid rumors that Kardashian was looking to extend her family, the couple have supposedly broken up.
By Fleurine Tideman Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published