From sparkling smiles to coordinated elegance, this mother-daughter moment was pure royal magic, reminding us that even within palace walls, it’s the little traditions that shine the brightest. Was it planned? A spontaneous festive nod? Or a subtle style statement that only royalty can pull off so effortlessly? Fans couldn’t stop talking about the touching resemblance, the holiday charm, and the unspoken bond captured in a single glance. One small bow… and a thousand reactions

Princess Charlotte recreated one of Kate Middleton‘s favourite festive hairstyles for Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

Every year, King Charles hosts a lavish meal for members of the Royal Family before heading to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk for a smaller, more intimate celebration.

While the Waleses did not attend the last Christmas lunch, Prince William, Kate, and their three children, Prince George, 12, Prince Louis, seven, and Charlotte, were seen arriving at the Royal Family occasion in London on Tuesday.

Photos showed that Charlotte, 10, and the Princess of Wales, 43, both opted for a half-up half-down style that was secured with a bow barrette in a matching fashion moment that left royal fans delighted.

While Kate fastened her gorgeous, caramel tresses with the same black velvet bow she wore to the VE Day concert, her daughter opted for a red bow to match her velvet dress that’s perfect for the holiday season.

Kate repurposed her red, satin Alessandra Rich dress that the princess first wore while filming A Berry Royal Christmas with Dame Mary Berry and her husband in 2019.

She styled the maxi, pussy bow dress with stunning Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, estimated to cost around £5,000, that were on full display because of her pulled-back hairstyle.

Kate’s mini-me Charlotte appears to be enjoying wearing her brown hair in a bow this festive season, as she picked a black design for her mother’s Christmas carol concert in London earlier this month.

Princess Charlotte recreated one of Kate Middleton’s favourite festive hairstyles for Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace yesterday

Their heartwarming bond was on full display at this year’s edition of the princess’s annual festive gathering as both Kate and Charlotte’s faces lit up when they spotted each other outside Westminster Abbey.

Footage showed how Charlotte, who entered the venue with William and her brothers, quickened her step as she was reunited with Kate before heading into the iconic church.

Reacting to photos from the event, royal fans praised their relationship online as one X user wrote ‘Princess of Wales and her daughter Princess Charlotte at Westminster Abbey this evening’ with a heart emoji.

Another said: ‘Princess Charlotte has the grace and poise of her mother The Princess of Wales.’

The pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace is not the first time the mother-daughter duo have coordinated their outfits.

Whether it’s been Easter Sunday Services, outings on Christmas Day or engagements abroad, Charlotte has been a style mini-me of Kate from her earliest public appearances.

At Kate’s first Trooping the Colour after completing her cancer treatment, they picked matching baby blue dresses for the King’s official birthday celebrations.

They were dressed from head-to-toe in burgundy for Kate’s 2022 Christmas Carol service as the Princess opted for a coat from Eponine while Charlotte was dressed in a matching one from Trotters.

Kate’s mini-me Charlotte appears to be enjoying wearing her hair in a bow this festive season, as she picked a black design for her mother’s Christmas carol concert in London earlier this month

And when they stepped out on Easter Sunday, earlier that year, their sartorial synergy was on full display.

While Kate chose a light blue coat dress from Emilia Wickstead, Charlotte, then seven, wore a floral print Rachel Riley dress in the same shade.

And even when their outfits are not exactly matching, Kate ensures that there is still subtle coordination.

She and Charlotte might wear the same colour, but not the same shade, or the Princess of Wales will dress her daughter in a hue that complements her accessories.

At the 2019 Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, Kate ensured Charlotte’s outfit matcehed with hers, but not in a copy-and-paste way.

Kate wore a bespoke, mocha Catherine Walker double-breasted coatdress made from mohair, with seasonal, emerald green accessories, including an Emmy clutch and pumps as well as a Lock & Co hat.

By her side, Princess Charlotte wore almost the inverse – an Amaia double-breasted coat in the same shade as Kate’s accessories, allowing the green colourway to pop.

And at last year’s Trooping the Colour, Kate and Charlotte’s outfits had an underlying nautical style and paid subtle tribute to the history of the Royal Family and the sailor outfits worn by royal children for decades.

Whether it’s been Easter Sunday Services, outings on Christmas Day or engagements abroad, Charlotte has been a style mini-me of Kate from her earliest public appearances. They are pictured here in matching pink dresses at Trooping the Colour in 2017

During the royal visit to Germany in 2017, Kate ensured that her two-year-old daughter’s outfit chimed with hers

At the 2019 Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, Kate saw that Charlotte’s outfit coordinated with hers, but not in a copy-and-paste, identical fashion

At the Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in 2022, Kate chose a coat dress from Emilia Wickstead and Charlotte wore Rachel Riley florals

It was head to toe burgundy for Kate and Charlotte as they made a festive arrival to the 2022 Christmas Carol service. Kate wore a burgundy coat from Eponine and dressed her daughter in a matching one from Trotters

The royals were out in full force yesterday as King Charles hosted his annual Christmas lunch at the Palace.

In addition to the Waleses, Prince Edward, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh and their daughter Lady Louise Windsor were also spotted arriving at the Palace – as were the Duke of Kent and Lady Sarah Chatto.

While the King’s disgraced younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was not present, Charles welcomed both his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, for the Yuletide gathering.

It is understood the King does not want to punish the sisters for their father’s actions.