Princess Charlotte is only 8 years old. There’s already too much focus on this child, from “which royal she looks like” to “whether Charlotte is Kate’s ‘fashion rival’” to “Charlotte will help her brother when he’s king!” It’s a lot to put on a little girl – competition with her mother, competition with her brothers, already designated to a supporting role in two separate kingships. Now they’re saying that this 8 year old is also the protective big sister to Louis.
Princess Charlotte is a doting big sister to Prince Louis. On Friday, 5-year-old Louis made his debut at mom Kate Middleton’s annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. With Prince George, 10, and Charlotte, 8, by his side to guide him, Louis appeared unfazed by the 1,500 or so guests as he confidently made his way inside the historic venue, where he held a lit candle as part of the festive service.
“It’s so sweet seeing the three of them together and particularly Charlotte being super protective of her little brother,” Sophie Mirman, founder of the British childrenswear brand Trotters, tells PEOPLE exclusively, adding that Louis “looked so grown up” in the brand’s “little pea coat and Chelsea boots.”
Charlotte and Louis have always shared a special closeness. In a photo released by William and Kate for Charlotte’s third birthday, she’s pictured cradling a baby Louis in her lap and placing a sweet kiss on her sleeping brother’s head.
These days, Louis loves to copy Charlotte’s every move. In 2021, Prince William revealed that the family of five loves to play music in the morning and the kids dance around the house. “Charlotte, particularly, is running around the kitchen in her dresses and ballet stuff and everything,” the proud dad said. “She goes completely crazy with Louis following her around trying to do the same thing.”
It’s disturbing that they’re putting this narrative forward about Charlotte supporting George as future king and protecting Louis. Her roles are already laid out for her and it’s much too similar to Harry’s experience as the spare. Add to that, she has to compete with her mother, at least that’s what the Times said outright. I feel sorry for Charlotte. She truly is “the spare,” isn’t she?
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Josh Shinner/KP, Cover Images.
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- Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England. Spearheaded by The Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time and recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year.,Image: 827907316, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- The Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England. Spearheaded by The Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time and recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year.,Image: 827907514, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- Copyright in the photograph is vested in The Prince and Princess of Wales. Publications are asked to credit the photograph to Josh Shinner. The photograph shall be solely used for news editorial purposes only. It shall not be approved for souvenirs, or memorabilia; or anything colourably similar. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photograph (including by way of example only) any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non news editorial use. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals in the photograph when published. The photograph shall not be used after 31st December 2024 without prior permission from Kensington Palace. Any questions relating to the use of the photograph should be first referred to Kensington Palace and before publication. Undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace of the Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The photograph, which features on their Royal Highnesses’ Christmas card this year, was taken by the photographer Josh Shinner earlier this year and shows The Prince and Princess with their three children in Windsor. NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.,Image: 828291451, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Josh Shinner/Kensington Palace / Avalon
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- Members of the Royal Family at the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey Featuring: Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales Where: London, United Kingdom When: 08 Dec 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey. Featuring: Princess Charlotte Where: London, United Kingdom When: 08 Dec 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
I hate this.
Godspeed Charlotte. I hope she cultivates a non royal support system as she grows up.
I think she’ll be even more isolated than William and Harry.They don’t want those kids to have a life and experiences outside of the royal bubble because they don’t want them to leave. As a young woman, charlotte will experience even more pressure from the firm, the media, and now social media that the others just didn’t have to contend with. Now throw in a very jealous and controlling mother and you have a recipe for disaster. Charlotte is already being set up as competition for Kate and she’s only 8. Very sad all around.
I think about she’s going to have to be Everything and Nothing at the same and *sigh*. Yes, you’re right, the grip on the Wales’ children will be much tighter, I imagine it will be more difficult to find spouses as well.
@JT: all that makes me so happy that the Sussex children won’t be around. Thank God.
@S808: I actually think these children will get married sooner than william and kate did. I feel like the pressure to do so will be immense
You can see the press lining them up for roles already. Charlotte is the doting sister, Louis is the troublemaker brother. The tabs learned nothing from Harry.
I hope the Middletons are keeping her somewhat grounded and encouraging her to pursue a future beyond the royal family.
Because, as she gets older, it will get more difficult. The same for Louis.
The Middletons, who pushed Kate into this? How would they ground Charlotte?
They didn’t even encourage their daughter to have a future beyond the royal family BEFORE she even joined the royal family. They’re not going to be helpful in this area.
The tabloids have already decided the narrative. She’s the spare, L is the troublemaker. Protect G at all costs.
1. It’s not fair to make-up an identity for a child. Especially one who you know can’t issue a correction. This part makes me feel sorry for the English royals. They can’t speak on things because everything is connected. So Charlotte will have to take it eventhough she probably won’t see much money or genuine fame.
2. Charlotte seems to gravitate toward George. So this protector narrative may hurt Louis in the long run.
3. They say Elizabeth was leery of Charles , even as a toddler, because he could replace her. Seems like they are trying to plant that seed with Kate. Not fair to Kate or Charlotte. Especially since I can see Kate being mean to her in the future.
I think Charlotte will be wildly famous. She’ll be the new Princess Margaret.
It is sad that the press is actively placing her in these roles but their parents are encouraging it so….
But i can also believe that she’s genuinely a doting big sister. She seems to really be fond of her little brother
Weird article. If Louis is in need of protection for some reason, shouldn’t his parents be doing so?
Maybe it’s his parents he needs to be protected from. After reading this article, I think all three need protection which they’re obviously not getting from their parents.
They all go to the same school so she may be protecting him from bullies. No kindergartner wants to be registered as HRH Prince Louis of Wales.
I hope she turns out be the exact opposite of the expectations put on her. I hope she has the presence of mind to be her own person and GTFO of there.
Those kids are in a tough spot.
The press is never going to leave them alone.
Outright lies, labeling them, making up drama between them, it will go on as long as it gets clicks or sells papers.
The BRF gets 100% more coverage, lies, etc. vs all the other royal families.
Harry had it correct. internationally famous, tracked, lied about, from the minute they are born.
George is portrayed as The Future King, serious , duty bound.
Char is the protector, so like our beloved Queen.
Louis is the troublemaker, goofing around, uncontrollable.
What a load of BS.
Children under 18, should be off limits. Period.
Maybe Princess Anne and Zara should spend a lot of time with the big 3.
Anne has always been strong.
Zara has her own ID as a horsewoman.
All 3 of the kids need to be allowed to follow their own interests.
I hope they do schooling for media to handle the fishbowl.
I remember when W and H were born and the press dogged them and Diana constantly.
H&M are going to have to guard their kids all.the.time.
Even living in US, they will have paps searching for the $$ photo.
Remember how the paps chased Jackie Kennedy and her kids?
Blinded by paps, so close at times they could hardly step forward.
Harry and his family do need official protection.
I feel very sad for these kids. All are being used to distract from their parent’s misery. All are being forced into roles before they even get to figure out who they are as people. None of them will get the limited freedom William and Harry got to experience life before becoming working royals as the royal family will be tiny by the time they hit their 20s and they will need to start working for the firm. All of their eventual partners and them children will be pitted against each other.
I feel so sorry for them; their lives are basically that of overprivileged prisoners. They’ll never have careers without being stalked to hell and back (imagine Charlotte training to be a doctor and the invasion she’d suffer, the security needs, the complications for potential colleagues and patients); they’ll never have relationships that aren’t chased down; they’ll have to be on their best behaviour all the bloody time – what a non teenager hood; they’ll always need security; they’ll probably have trust issues with friends (who may take their private life stuff to the press); and poor George has the biggest hardship of all, knowing as a child that he’s expected to be king one day.
This is just so sad to me. Yes they do live a very privileged upbringing, but I can’t imagine having a life where all of the things that you imagine for yourself have to fall within a box because the family you were born into has already literally determined your worth and your role. I think about my thoughts about my future and the type of jobs that I want to have in places that I would live as a kid, and whether or not it was feasible or turned out that way I knew that I could imagine that without a glaring huge barrier saying yeah that’s all well and good as long as it falls within your “royal duties”.
Charlotte ALREADY being setup as the caretaker for her two brothers is gross…reductive and tired AF😡 Lawd those children!