Princess Charlotte Adorably Curtsied to Queen Elizabeth on Christmas Day

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.

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.

subscribe here