Princess Charlotte's Glamorous Style Transformation

Princess Catherine is famous for her amazing fashion moments, and her daughter Princess Charlotte is becoming a fashionista in her own right. Looking back at the young princess' glamorous style transformation, it's apparent that Charlotte is a royal to watch in the future. And as her style transforms, so will her already lucrative influence on the fashion milieu.

As she gets older and settles into her lofty role within The Firm, Charlotte's style will no doubt blossom and perhaps reflect the effortlessly chic regalia worn by her mother. Then again, Charlotte may have some entirely different style plans up her sleeve. As one of the most headstrong royals, Princess Charlotte is unafraid of showing off her sassy attitude. (For instance, she's been known to keep her brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, in check.) One can't help but think she'll rule the style world in the distant future. Let's take a look at Princess Charlotte's glamorous style transformation.

While mommy blogging is now a ubiquitous trend on social media, it's fairly unusual for a literal baby to become a style icon. But from the outset of her introduction to the world in 2015 — when a proud Princess Catherine cradled her baby girl on the steps of the Lindo Wing at London's St. Mary's hospital — Charlotte was catalyzing mass fashion frenzies. The shawl that the hours-old infant was draped in, for instance, sold like hotcakes. And thus the "Princess Charlotte effect" was in full force.

When Catherine shared an Instagram snap of her 6-month-old daughter in a pale pink cardigan and floral dress, royal fans were desperate to recreate the outfit on their own little ones. "Demand for items Princess Charlotte wears will surge massively on our site," a representative for children's retailer Alex and Alexa told The Telegraph. "We saw an increase in customers searching for pale pink cardigans and floral dresses."

The royals have long been fashion trendsetters, and this extends to the smallest members of the Windsor brood, with Princess Charlotte proving herself a style icon at the tender age of 2. As a toddler, she frequently wore dresses made with Liberty fabric. Liberty is a British heritage brand dating back to 1875 and is now associated with vintage fashion. During a royal tour of Germany with her parents, Charlotte donned a ditsy, red and white Liberty print dress, complete with matching Mary Janes. The princess' whimsical and vintage-inspired style harked back to the doll-like outfits that Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret, wore as kids in the 1930s.

By donning a Liberty dress, Charlotte caused a major surge in demand for the heritage fabrics, with searches for "Liberty dress" trending sixfold on eBay. "It's the youngest generation of royals who really generate the must-have fashion items," eBay exec Murray Lambell told Yahoo! Life. It was a remarkable impact from such a young child, who essentially became an unwitting walking (or crawling, given her age) advertisement for Liberty.

In 2018, Princess Charlotte showcased a preppy outfit while visiting her mom in hospital following the birth of her little brother, Prince Louis. While accompanying Prince William and Prince George to the St. Mary's Hospital, Charlotte wore a navy cardigan over a light blue floral dress with navy Mary Janes. The slightly darker color palette strayed from Charlotte's usual style, and since her mom was recovering in hospital, it appears that someone else may have dressed her for the visit: We're looking at you, William (the proud papa was also decked out in navy and blue). 

Charlotte's enviable hold and influence on the fashion market led to her net value rocketing to an estimated £3 billion (around $3.8 billion), eclipsing that of George, who was valued at £2.4 billion (around $3 billion). "Charlotte's endorsement effect will likely be felt across a much broader range of products and brands or types of clothing than will George's, allowing a greater scope for the monetization of her 'brand' and hence a higher value," Robert Haigh, marketing director at Brand Finance, told Marie Claire in 2018.

Christmas at Sandringham is an annual tradition in the Windsor family and subject to much media interest, in part due to anticipation of what the royals will wear. From Queen Elizabeth II's fuchsia festive fits to Meghan Markle's famous camel coat, royal Christmas fashion is always a sight to behold. When Princess Charlotte showcased her first Christmas look, she did not disappoint.

In 2019, there was much anticipation for Charlotte and Prince George's joint appearance at Sandringham. The family was the picture perfect embodiment of resplendent aristocracy in their elegant garb, and Charlotte, then aged 4, made her festive Sandringham debut in a chic green coat by Amaia. It was classic royal regalia but still quintessentially Charlotte due to the addition of cutesy Mary Jane flats. Marie Claire wrote that she was "so dapper," while Town & Country observed that the young royal looked right at home at the event.

As a royal, there are many things that Princess Charlotte will never be able to do. But she is able to use her royal bearing to help those in need. That's just what she did in the lead-up to her 5th birthday in May 2020. At the time, the U.K. was under strict lockdown rules to prevent the deadly virus from spreading. However, the government did allow volunteers to help out by delivering essential goods, so long as these visits remained socially distanced. In lieu of traditional celebrations, Charlotte joined her parents in volunteering the day before her birthday.

On Instagram, Princess Catherine shared a series of photos of the little one helping out elderly people by delivering food packages outside their doors. The princess kept things simple in a black and white checked dress and gray tights. Although Charlotte was hitherto famed for her florals and vibrant looks, her style was noticeably muted in the snaps, which may be viewed as a rejection of extravagance during a time of worldwide turmoil.

For many years, ditsy prints formed much of Princess Charlotte's signature style. When the princess turned 6 in 2021, the royal family's X account shared a photo of the youngster beaming while donning an eye-catching navy and pink floral dress. With its button-up Peter Pan collar and retro print, the dress, which retailed for a modest £59 (around $75) at Rachel Riley, was giving '90s vibes, once again showing the youngster's commitment to vintage aesthetics.

The photo unexpectedly led to a buying frenzy, and the dress swiftly sold out at Rachel Riley. The retail fever caused by Charlotte's ensemble was an indicator of her future star power as a fashionista in the making. "We look forward to seeing Princess Charlotte's style develop as she continues to grow and mature and we have no doubt she will become as much of a style icon as her mother is," Riley told Vanity Fair.

Some royals love borrowing clothes from their mom's closet, and when Princess Charlotte gets a little older, we can certainly picture her swapping garb with her elegant mom, Princess Catherine. But for now, the youngster will have to make do with mini versions of her mother's 'fits. Attending Easter service at Windsor Castle in 2022, Charlotte and Catherine shared a cute twinning moment. Catherine wore a chic powder blue coat dress with a full skirt, evoking Cinderella's ballgown. Meanwhile, her 6-year-old mini-me sported a floral dress in the same shade, with matching colorful tights.

Catherine often wears varying shades of blue — particularly for Easter events — possibly because blue symbolizes responsibility and also represents one of the colors of the Union Jack. The duo's blue twinning moment may thus be seen as a continuation of the lineage of royal responsibilities, which Charlotte will have to take on further as she grows up. Moreover, while Charlotte's outfit was an appropriately girlish take on her mother's formal regalia, it was also undoubtedly an indication of the more mature regal looks royal fans can expect to see from her in future.

At King Charles III's coronation in May 2023, Princess Charlotte looked more regal than ever. Swapping her high street-brand dresses for haute couture, she wowed in a white Alexander McQueen dress and embroidered cape. The look was complete with a floral crown, which matched her mom's majestic headpiece and served as a tribute to royal styles both past and present. It was undoubtedly a more mature look for the princess, then aged 8.

When Charlotte attended Trooping the Colour the following month, she seemingly upcycled her coronation dress, which then featured a red sailor collar and bow. Again, this was another sophisticated look for the pre-teen, indicating a shift in her personal style. "It looks like the coronation dress," children's clothing designer Amaia Arrieta told People. "The way the skirt moves is exactly the same, but it looks like the sleeves were changed and the collar and belt added." Princess Catherine is known for repeating her own gorgeous royal looks, so she has evidently passed this passion for sustainable fashion onto her daughter.

Child fashion influencers have become increasingly prevalent on social media. But in Princess Charlotte's case, she has essentially become a de facto child influencer. The clothing that Charlotte dons invariably sells out, leading to some understandable consternation from Princess Catherine and Prince William. "The last thing the Waleses will want is for Charlotte to become a fashion trend setter," royal writer Kate Mansey told the Daily Mail.

Posing in designer garb on Instagram may not be on the cards for Charlotte just yet, but she certainly looked every inch the mini influencer at Wimbledon in July 2023. She was giving it-girl in a blue floral dress and pair of pink Leosun shades as she enjoyed the tournament. Unsurprisingly, her fans then desperately searched for the sunglasses on the Leosun website, only to find that Charlotte was wearing a discontinued style of shades.

Wearing an older product may have been by design, with Charlotte's parents apparently worried about her astonishing, albeit unintended, ability to influence the retail market. "We've already seen Kate choose clothes for photoshoots that aren't the latest season's trends no doubt for that very reason," added Mansey.

All eyes were on Princess Charlotte when she posed backstage with Taylor Swift in London in June 2024. In an Instagram snap shared by Swift, there was an evident sartorial shift in Charlotte, who is reportedly a dedicated Swiftie. As Charlotte explored her interest in music, she also appeared to experiment with tween fashion styles. Wearing a sequined 'fit and styling her hair in braids, Charlotte's Eras aesthetic was on point.

When Charlotte attended Wimbledon a few weeks later, she once again showcased her newfound style. The 9-year-old wore a frilly polka dot dress and ballerina flats, which were markedly more grown-up than the ditsy florals and Mary Janes that were once her wardrobe staples. A notable part of Charlotte's ensemble was her friendship bracelets, the likes of which have become synonymous with Swifties. Sweetly, her grandfather, King Charles III, had also been seen wearing an Eras-style friendship bracelet, leading to speculation that Charlotte may have gifted it to him.

As a tween, Charlotte would probably be keen to explore her own personal aesthetic. "It felt like a bit of a milestone, like she's transitioning from a sweet little girl in smocked floral dresses to a slightly more grown-up tween vibe," style writer Bethan Holt told People of Charlotte's Wimbledon look.

On VE Day 2025, Princess Charlotte made waves with a spectacular print coat dress with a tartan print. The navy and green pattern appeared have been a nod to the historic Black Watch or Royal Highlanders Regiment of Scotland. For decades, the regiment was headed by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, before the role was eventually passed down to Charlotte's grandfather, King Charles III, in 2003.

Charlotte's choice of dress on VE Day was significant, as the holiday celebrated the end of the Second World War, and Black Watch had proudly served the United Kingdom throughout the conflict. Troops from the regiment were dispatched to diverse regions of the globe, including Europe, Northern Africa, and Burma, demonstrating just how widely the conflict had spread.

As for Charlotte's personal style evolution, this outfit was especially meaningful because it marked her ability to integrate special messages into her wardrobe. Queen Elizabeth II famously incorporated secret meanings into her outfits, and Charlotte followed suit by using her attire to commemorate an important time in history.

Princess Charlotte established herself as a true royal fashionista during the summer of 2025 when she appeared at Wimbledon in an adorable cream dress with navy trim. Thanks to the piece's pleated skirt and cinched waist, the princess looked like she was wearing a version of a traditional 20th-century British tennis costume. The effect of the outfit was only accentuated by her cute accessories — a pair of black sunglasses and a white handheld fan — that mirrored the contrast between the dark and light colors of her attire.

While this outfit certainly made Charlotte stand out, it also proved her closeness to her mother, Catherine, Princess of Wales. The dress was designed by none other than Sarah Burton — one of Catherine's most beloved creators. Back in 2011, Burton helped design Catherine's wedding gown for Alexander McQueen. By the time she designed Charlotte's Wimbledon dress 14 years later, Burton was working for Givenchy. However, the designer's change in employer did nothing to change her eye for style, and the tennis dress she made for Charlotte oozed the same talent for fashion that we saw with Kate Middleton's wedding day dress.

Princess Charlotte has been known to look like Kate Middleton's twin, and this was evident at the 2025 Trooping the Colour parade, which was meant to be her grandfather, King Charles III's, symbolic kingly birthday party. At the grand affair, Charlotte rode alongside Catherine in a horse-drawn carriage — and the pair looked like two peas in a pod. Both dressed in a cheerful robin's egg blue, Charlotte and Catherine took their mother-daughter matching moment to the next level. While Charlotte wore a slightly lighter shade than Catherine, the blue color was flattering for both princess' light brown hair and expressive eyes.

Interestingly, there was a hidden meaning behind Princess Catherine's outfit. The color of her Catherine Walker coat dress matched the shade of the plumes worn by the Irish Guards, for which she serves as an honorary colonel. Catherine's choice to match the Irish Guards could thus be viewed as a heartfelt tribute, while Charlotte's slightly lighter blue frock might be perceived as a sign that the young princess plans to follow in her mother's footsteps.

Every year, Princess Charlotte attends "Together at Christmas," a caroling event organized by her mother, Catherine, Princess of Wales. In 2025, she accompanied the rest of her family to the performance wearing a knee-length, navy blue dress with matching tights and an oversized Peter Pan collar with pilgrim collar details. This combination of dark tights and a striking white collar naturally called to mind the classic play, "Peter Pan." After all, Charlotte's outfit integrated important elements from the costumes typically associated with the work — particularly the broad white collar, which became fashionable after the American debut of the British oeuvre in 1905. 

Interestingly, "Peter Pan" carries strong associations with the holiday season. Oftentimes presented as a Christmas pantomime, the beloved story is known for cheering up viewers of all ages during one of the rainiest months of the year. With this in mind, Charlotte's outfit seemed like a celebration of a popular British Christmas tradition and a nod to national culture. It could also be a slight recognition of her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who performed alongside at least 16 Christmas pantomimes with her sister, Princess Margaret, during their youth. One of them was, of course, "Peter Pan."

Princess Charlotte never met her late grandmother, Princess Diana, but she seems to have inherited her keen eye for fashion. At the royal family's 2025 Christmas celebration at Sandringham, Charlotte exuded elegance in a camel coat with a wide Peter Pan collar and dark brown buttons. The more subdued shade of Charlotte's ensemble naturally called to mind some of Princess Diana's best examples of understated elegance. 

In 1982, Diana turned up at the London Department of Health and Social Security office in a beige Caroline Charles coat that looked quite a bit like Charlotte's. The piece, however, included a V-neck and cinched belt combo that was more fitting for her role as Princess of Wales. That said, the style emulated the same earthy tones and soft fabric that we see on Charlotte's coat — and it wasn't the only time that Diana embraced this style. She also wore what appeared to be the same coat on a trip to Coventry in 1985, proving that it was one of her favorite styles. For Charlotte to already be dabbling in these gorgeous Diana-era styles shows that her fashion future is bright indeed.