Princess Charlotte's 'charmingly coordinated' moment with mum Princess Kate at family lunch

The scarlet hue of the bow matched her red velvet dress and was a mini-me version of her mother's look.

Accessorising her Alessandra Rich printed dress, Kate, 43, wore a large black bow in her hair. The velvet Miu Miu number added a playful touch to her look, compared to the formal effect a hat or fascinator would have had. By coordinating Charlotte’s red ribbon with her own black bow and the boys' ties, the Princess of Wales creates a 'visual anchor' that ties the family group together in pictures, ensuring they look like a united front without matching identically.

The rise of the hair bow

Hair bows have seen a huge surge in popularity this year. Once a hair accessory reserved for children, hair bows have made their way into the mainstream in a big way in 2025 through the 'Balletcore' trend, which has seen women reclaim a girlishness in their style, from baby pink ballet pumps to hair bows. 

This festive season, Kate and Charlotte have used hair bows as a cute way to match their styles without going overboard. On 5 December, Charlotte joined her father and brothers at Kate's 'Together at Christmas' carol service at Westminster Abbey and wore a black bow in her hair like the one Kate wore to King Charles' lunch earlier this week, and when Kate attended the concert to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day at Horse Guards Parade in London on 8 May.

How to style 'mummy and me' hair bows 

Kate and Charlotte's appearance on their way to the Buckingham Palace lunch will no doubt inspire a slew of mothers and young girls who want to embrace a matching moment without making it feel overly gimmicky. Oriona Robb, a luxury stylist with more than 20 years in the fashion industry, gave HELLO! her tips for replicating the look:

1. "Choose bows that feel slightly oversized and tactile rather than tiny or rigid, as they photograph beautifully.
2. Keep hair styling relaxed; a simple half-up look with gentle waves feels polished without looking theatrical.
3. Remember, the goal is to make the bow a sweet finishing detail, not a costume, allowing children to move comfortably while still looking charmingly coordinated."