Last week, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a previously unseen, heartwarming new family photograph. Taken in June, the joyous snapshot showed Catherine after completing the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, surrounded by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
As HELLO!'s Fashion and Beauty News Editor, it's my job to know exactly what everyone is wearing, particularly the royal family. When I spied Princess Charlotte's down-to-earth outfit, I couldn't help but smile.
© The Prince and Princess of WalesDespite her being just eleven years old, a notoriously impressionable pre-teen age, I loved how she wore a laid-back outfit that the general public could potentially invest in: a pair of £30 GAP jeans and a cheerful pair of Adidas Gazelle trainers. No crop tops or K-Pop Demon Hunter-esque graphics, just playful, fun attire.
© The Princess of WalesThere's a reason why Charlotte and her ensembles generate such interest; we've watched her transition from a cute toddler to a young girl. She always appears poised, warm-hearted and joyful in public.
On Christmas Day in 2025, she was the star of the show as she posed for selfies ahead of her church visit in Sandringham wearing a fabulous Catherine Walker coat and ladylike ballet pumps.
© GettyI have a daughter of my own, and I'll happily admit that I often look to Charlotte for inspiration when putting together her outfits, particularly when there's an occasion looming.
© Samir Hussein./WireImageIt's clear that the Princess of Wales is in charge of choosing Charlotte's carefully curated looks. They tend to adhere to the same ethos - timeless, classic, and elegant, with a true mix of high street items and designer pieces, sitting alongside handmade, boutique brands.
© GettyCharlotte's clothes possess a distinct heirloom quality, designed to be passed down through the family rather than discarded after a single season.
As a parent, I adore this notion. It seems that in this day and age, children are forced to grow up fast, but Charlotte almost symbolises the magic of childhood, conveyed with her love of dresses, sweet separates, and fairytale-esque hair bows.
It seems my opinion is shared by many industry professionals. I sat down with a childrenswear designer, content creator and stylist who all have the same shared thoughts on Charlotte's look.
The power of the traditional hand-me-down
In and amongst her sprinkling of high street separates, Princess Charlotte is regularly seen sporting traditional attire, too. Smocked dresses are a huge favourite of the royal; she has sported a plethora of floral day dresses for Trooping the Colour appearances over the years, most notably in 2016, 2017 and 2018. We are sure that they have been placed in the vault for royal children to come.
"Traditional childrenswear has a magic that trends cannot replicate," Laura Burch, Co-Founder of British luxury heritage brand Smock London, tells HELLO!.
© Chris Jackson"For parents, there is nostalgia in seeing their children wearing the beautiful, timeless shapes they remember from their own childhood, but there is also a growing appreciation for clothes with craftsmanship, character and a story behind them," the designer noted.
"Details such as smocking, beautiful collars and traditional silhouettes have an enduring charm, and they photograph wonderfully too, which perhaps explains why parents return to them for those milestone family moments.
"In an increasingly disposable world, there is something very special about children’s clothing that is made to become part of a family’s story," the designer mused.
The high street staples
Charlotte has long championed the great British high street, and one of her most relatable fashion moments was when she wore a John Lewis party dress backstage meeting Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium during the 2024 Eras Tour in London. Her sparkling, £30 sequined frock looked wonderful alongside her stack of friendship bracelets and braided hair.
© Kensington PalaceDigital Creator Katie Maguire, who has three daughters, agrees that Charlotte's look is pioneering, particularly when she steps out in items that are from the high street shelves.
© @themumlife_styled"Princess Charlotte is the perfect example of timeless British childrenswear," the fashion influencer explains. "I love the classic coats, beautiful collars, and Mary Janes - pieces that feel traditional yet effortlessly chic. Her wardrobe strikes that lovely balance between polished and age-appropriate, with a touch of royal elegance," she added.
"For me, it’s all about investing in those timeless pieces that never go out of style, while keeping things practical and letting children still look like children. A little high-street mixed with heritage classics? Always a winning combination," Katie said.
The attainable wardrobe
Charlotte Kewley, a specialised kidswear stylist, has long championed Princess Charlotte's royal taste.
"What I love most about Princess Charlotte’s style is how effortless and age-appropriate it is. She wears pieces that feel accessible and attainable, with looks that parents can easily recreate," Charlotte, who recently styled the Boden Kids' Christmas campaign, explained.
"However, when the occasion calls for it, she can step into a more polished, princess-like look with beautiful bespoke designer pieces. I think it’s that mix of everyday children’s fashion and more special occasionwear that makes her style so appealing," she mused.
How do I dress my daughter like Princess Charlotte?
Although Charlotte wears more bespoke pieces as she grows, emulating her look is surprisingly simple. A trick is to purchase items that are slightly bigger so your child will get the maximum wear out of them, just like Charlotte.
If I'm taking my daughter to a wedding or an evening event, my go-to is Needle and Thread London, a luxury label loved by the Princess of Wales. The occasionwear offering for little girls is vast and boasts tulle frills and stunning embroidery.
Princess Charlotte also appears to be a huge fan of the humble bow, which "effortlessly combines elegance with a hint of nostalgia, offering a soft, luxurious texture," explains stylist to the stars Georgie Gray. "They add instant charm and sophistication without being overly formal."
© Samir Hussein/WireImageChosen wisely, a hair bow can be worn for school, and just like all of Princess Charlotte's fashion choices, perfectly polished and age-appropriate.
"Brands like Amaia Kids and La Coqueta, I think, sum up Charlotte’s style, and we’ve seen her wear them regularly," adds Charlotte Kewley. "On the high street, I’d say Boden. And I think as she’s getting a little older, we’re starting to see her lean towards brands like Ralph Lauren too."
In a world where children appear to act like teenagers before they hit double figures, Princess Charlotte's wardrobe quietly champions the value of wholesomeness. Her outfit choices convey a feeling that fashion should always be fun and full of expression, but in accordance with one's age. I, for one, am cheering her on, and it seems I'm not the only one.
