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A royal expert has highlighted what they believe could be a subtle indication that Princess Charlotte is beginning to assert more independence from her mother, Kate Middleton.
The middle child of Prince William and the Princess of Wales will turn 11 in May. Alongside her brothers — Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, seven — Charlotte has become an especially popular figure with the public.
Now, it has been suggested that the young royal is showing signs of growing confidence, with observers pointing to a small but telling detail as evidence of her developing self-assurance.
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Expert points to a major shift in the dynamic between Princess Charlotte and her mother, Kate Middleton.
Over the years, Princess Charlotte has been seen making numerous public appearances alongside her well-known family. She was often photographed holding her mother’s hand as she walked beside Kate Middleton. Recently, however, that behaviour appears to be changing.
One notable example came during the Christmas Day walk at Sandringham, where Charlotte was seen confidently walking on her own. According to psychologist Dr. Patricia Britto, this subtle shift could point to a significant development in the relationship between Kate and her daughter.
“At this age, children naturally begin to take gentle steps toward independence — not because their bond with a parent has weakened, but because they feel secure enough to explore,” Patricia told HELLO!.
The expert holds a Doctorate in Professional Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology (DEdPsy) from the UCL Institute of Education.
Charlotte ‘feels steady intеrnally and capable of coping’
As reported by HELLO!, the expert went on to explain that when a child feels “comfortable” walking independently “in a busy, public setting,” it can be a sign they are both “regulated and confident.”
Patricia noted that Princess Charlotte’s body language in public reveals a great deal about both her confidence and the secure bond she shares with her mother, Kate Middleton. She explained: “There’s more pressure, more people, and more sensory input.”
She continued: “Walking calmly beside a parent rather than being guided can indicate a child feels steady internally and capable of coping, while still staying emotionally connected. And when we see this kind of behaviour across different outings, it points to a consistent pattern of growing confidence rather than a one-off moment.”
The psychologist also emphasised that Princess Catherine has played a crucial role in Charlotte’s development, noting that Kate remains “close, attentive, and emotionally available, while allowing Charlotte to take the lead.”
