Princess Charlotte's Royally Good Style Evolution So Far

Since becoming a member of the royal family, Kate Middleton has shown up with the most regal looks of all time, and it's no surprise that her daughter, Princess Charlotte, has inherited her style. All eyes have been on the third in line to the throne since she was born in 2015, and her style has evolved right before our eyes. The mother and daughter pair often twin with their 'fits, which started when Charlotte was an infant. During her christening two months after her birth, she was clad in a white lace robe, with Kate wearing a similarly-colored coat dress by Alexander McQueen. We're sure the Princess of Wales had a firm hand in picking out both looks, and if Charlotte is anything like her mom, she has an eye for fashion.

Kate Middleton keeps finding new ways to make a black coat look chic, but we mostly saw Charlotte in white or pretty pastels during her earlier days, and always in dresses. "If you look at photos of young royal girls — from Princess Anne to Charlotte, you will notice that they tend to wear smocked dresses as little girls when they are in public with their parents," British royalty expert Marlene Koenig told Harper's Bazaar in 2018. Since then, Charlotte's style has transformed into a more sophisticated palette, and from dainty florals to structured coats, she's quite the budding fashionista.

During Princess Charlotte's toddler days, she was mainly seen in ditsy floral dresses, sometimes paired with a cropped cardigan and tights. This was a typical look for the young royal, and Kate Middleton didn't stray too far from this aesthetic when dressing her daughter. One of the designers for the family, Rachel Riley, shared with The Telegraph that this no-fail look was styled on purpose. "They have chosen a very traditional look and are a traditional family," she revealed. The fashion expert added, "The reason why I design clothes that way is because if they wear very simple things, it's about the child, and it's timeless in that you can't really date a specific photo or put them in something that seems out of date."

Charlotte's earlier fashion was indeed classic and could be worn by youngsters to this day. From just walking to 3 years old, she looked adorable and carefree, even being able to run with her flowy dress. If Kate started a royal trend, we're totally on board with dressing our littles like Lily Pulitzer ads as well.

Kate Middleton is known for her chic coat dresses, and many may not know that the reason is practical as well as stylish. According to the Daily Mail, royals aren't allowed to take off their coats in the open, as it's deemed inappropriate for women. And, the dress code when it comes to outerwear is very specific, which is why you'll always see Kate in long lengths, and never in anything like ski jackets. It seems Princess Charlotte already knew all about royal protocol when she attended Christmas Day church service in 2019, wearing an emerald green peacoat and looking just like a miniature version of her mom. At 4 years old, it was a sophisticated upgrade from her usual cardigans, especially with a dark color that fit the holiday theme.

Three years later, Charlotte showed up at a memorial service in honor of the late Prince Philip in a replica of her previous coat, but in a navy blue color. With the rounded collar and double row of buttons, the 7-year-old was clearly developing her own sense of style. Although she and her mom usually coordinate, Kate wore a black polka-dotted dress, which seemed to indicate that Charlotte was becoming more independent with her 'fit choices.

As Princess Charlotte was nearing the double digits, she traded in her youthful florals for more mature patterns, like the black and white striped dress she wore in July 2023. Her look was still youthful, with the playful white Peter Pan collar and matching cardigan, finished with a pair of half braids. The following year, Charlotte chose an understated, yet elegant blue and green plaid coat for Christmas, matching Kate Middleton's scarf, proving that the two love a twinning moment.

Showing a bit of a rebellious side, Princess Charlotte's Wimbledon look in 2025 broke a royal style tradition, but in the most subtle way. Her bright pink nail polish was a departure from the pale shade that the late Queen Elizabeth II preferred, but who can blame the 9-year-old for wanting a pop of color? Charlotte went the more traditional route at the "Together at Christmas" service that year, and donned a midnight blue velvet frock with large white square collars. Still maintaining her youthful aesthetic, she accessorized with blue tights and flat slip-ons, choosing comfort and style at the same time.

Princess Charlotte doesn't just take after her mom's great fashion sense, but also her late grandmother, Princess Diana's. At 10 years old, her style has a much more grown-up feel, but still with a touch of whimsy. For Easter celebrations in 2026, Charlotte wore a custom-made tan coat that featured dark brown accents by Catherine Walker, one of Kate Middleton's go-to designers. And, because Easter wouldn't be complete without some pastel, the only daughter of Kate and Prince William wore a pale blue dress underneath.

We all know that the Princess of Wales loves a good coat moment, but Diana did as well. In fact, she had a few tan-colored coats, not unlike Charlotte's, that are hopefully archived somewhere. "She always felt more comfortable in tailored clothes," her stylist Anna Harvey told Vogue. Diana would have definitely approved of her granddaughter's sartorial choices, and we can't wait to see how Charlotte's fashion sense will evolve even more over the years.