Princess Charlotte marked her 11th birthday last week, and as she grows up, there has been a distinct increase in her involvement in public life.
According to royal author Robert Hardman, Charlotte's role as second in line to the throne has already been well thought out by the King, who has allegedly reserved the role of Duchess of Edinburgh for her in the future.
© Samir Hussein./WireImageHe told HELLO! in an exclusive interview: "I was told the King wanted to reserve the Duchess of Edinburgh role for her, which could happen," Robert says. "Edward, when he dies, will lose that title. It won't go to his son. But I think she'll be the Princess Royal, as Anne is. There's no better model."
The Princess Royal has a lot of similarities with her young family member; not only do the pair share a love of ballet and other sports, but the pair both have wonderfully close bonds with their fathers.
© GettyNot to mention Charlotte's exquisite professionalism, keeping her brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, in tow, while attending public events, something which cannot help but be compared to Princess Anne, who is synonymous with her impressive work ethic.
A true natural
Meanwhile, Emily Nash, HELLO!'s royal editor, recalls that Charlotte has always been "fairly comfortable" in front of the cameras and will no doubt be a perfect ambassador for the crown when she grows up.
"Even as a little girl visiting a newborn Prince Louis for the first time, she had a ready wave," she says. "Her parents are introducing their children to the spotlight in a careful and controlled way, and she seems to be taking these occasional forays into public life in her stride so far."
© Samir Hussein/WireImage"It seems that Charlotte has inherited her natural ability. Like her brothers, she has been brought up spending plenty of time outdoors and has no doubt had lots of practice at Lambrook, which offers an all-weather surface cricket pitch."
“This baby will be born into very different family dynamics to those experienced by his or her older siblings,” Emily says. “While their grandmother and grandfather have spent plenty of time with August and Ernest, they are likely to keep more of a distance this time around, although I’m sure Sarah will find it very hard to stay away from a new grandchild.”
Robert Jobson is the author of The Windsor Legacy – A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival.
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