Know that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are the heart and soul of the royal family. These three young royals are iconic, and a big part of their charm lies in how they balance their playful personalities with the strict expectations of royal life. But let’s not forget—these kids are still royals, which means they’re expected to follow royal protocol. And trust me, their etiquette training likely started as soon as they could attend events with their family.
Recently, Princess Charlotte stole the spotlight during a royal event, and it was especially heartwarming to see her mastering The Duchess Slant in the official portraits released by Kensington Palace. This elegant sitting posture, famously adopted by her mother, Kate Middleton, and even her aunt, Meghan Markle, is a staple of royal etiquette.
For those unfamiliar, The Duchess Slant is a sitting position where a woman’s knees and ankles are kept tightly together, with legs slanted to the side. It’s said to have been named after Kate Middleton herself, though the late Princess Diana was also a fan of this graceful pose. According to royal etiquette expert Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette, this pose is perfect for when cameras are directly in front of you.
“It’s one of the most elegant and flattering ways to sit because it creates a lengthening effect on the legs. Keeping knees and ankles together at all times, position your legs to create a slant, angling your knees to the side. Hands should be folded one over the other and placed in your lap,” Meier explains.
For women in the royal family, mastering The Duchess Slant is no joke—it’s taken very seriously. And it seems Princess Charlotte is already a pro, just like her mom.
Royal etiquette training for the Wales children likely began early, with simple lessons like how to shake hands and curtsy around the age of two. Their mother, the Princess of Wales, is undoubtedly their first teacher. As Meier points out, “When children are younger, they idolize their mothers and will replicate their behavior, whether it’s hairstyles, makeup, or how they act.”
This is evident in the close bond between Charlotte and Kate. From their similar long, wavy hairstyles to their coordinating outfits, it’s clear that Charlotte looks up to her mother. And while some might speculate about whether Meghan Markle is taking etiquette courses, the approach with Charlotte and her siblings seems much more natural. Good manners and a polite demeanor simply come with the territory for these young royals.
Like any little kid, Princess Charlotte still gets nervous from time to time, especially when cameras are flashing. And it seems she’s picked up an adorable habit from her mom—twiddling her ponytail. A viral video from 2019 shows Kate Middleton on a work Zoom call, twirling her ponytail before laying it flat against her back. Fast forward to Charlotte’s first day of school that same year, and the little princess was seen flipping her ponytail nervously as she walked to the door with her parents and big brother George.
Fans couldn’t get enough of this sweet mother-daughter mini-me moment. “Little royals—they’re just like us!” one fan commented.
Princess Charlotte isn’t just mastering royal etiquette; she’s also showing off her spunky personality. In 2019, Kate revealed that Charlotte loves spicy food, just like her. “I like my curries hot, and Charlotte is pretty good with heat too,” Kate shared during a conversation with former MasterChef winner Saliha Mahmood Ahmed.
And let’s not forget the 2020 Christmas card, where Charlotte was her mom’s mini-me, wearing a kids’ version of Kate’s favorite Penelope Chilvers leather boots. From her enviable mane of hair to her love of horses, Charlotte is clearly following in her family’s footsteps.
Speaking of horses, it seems Charlotte might have inherited her grandmother’s passion for equestrian activities. In 2019, it was reported that the big ticket item on her Christmas wish list was a pony. A source revealed that Charlotte is “obsessed with horses,” and it’s no surprise—her grandmother, Queen Camilla, is a longtime horse enthusiast, and the late Queen Elizabeth received her first pony at the age of four.
Princess Charlotte is growing up to be a perfect blend of her mother’s grace and her own unique personality. From mastering The Duchess Slant to twiddling her ponytail like Kate, she’s proving that she’s a true royal in the making. And let’s be honest—she’s absolutely adorable while doing it.
