Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday may have been a solemn event, but Princess Charlotte managed to spark joy with her charming antics on the day.
Arriving with her parents, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as well as elder brother Prince George, the six-year-old was on her best behaviour.
She clung tight to mum Catherine’s hand as they headed into the abbey for a memorial honouring the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died on April 9, 2021.
Once seated between her parents – and behind her great-grandmother, the Queen – Charlotte did her best to sit still and quiet through the 40-minute service.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Westminster Abbey with her daughter Princess Charlotte.
(Credit: (Image: Getty))But she couldn’t keep herself from sharing a cheeky smile with Princess Beatrice, who is her cousin once removed.
Turning back during a hymn, Charlotte flashed a small smile at the 33-year-old royal, who welcomed her first child last year.
Beatrice returned the gesture with a grin of her own before Charlotte quickly turned to face forward again – but her adorable antics weren’t quite finished yet.
As the event was televised in the UK, there were plenty of cameras in the Abbey and one or two found their sights set on Charlotte.
WATCH: See the cute exchange between Beatrice and Charlotte in the clip below. Story continues after video.
The six-year-old jumped in her seat when she noticed the spotlight was on her, pulling a charming little grimace as she clearly wondered how to react.
Her parents must have taught her a thing or two about royal composure though, as she was filmed soon after calmly shaking hands as mum Catherine introduced her to members of the clergy.
Seeing Charlotte and George out with their parents was a rare treat for royal watchers, who rarely catch a glimpse of the Cambridge children at public events.
The duke and duchess have been slowly introducing their son, eight, to public life but make sure to prioritise their children’s safety, privacy and a ‘normal’ childhood as much as possible.
Princess Beatrice stands with flower girls and page boys – including George and Charlotte – at Princess Eugenie’s 2018 wedding.
(Credit: (Image: Getty))It’s an attitude that has become increasingly popular among members of the monarchy, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing a private life for their children, while Princess Eugenie opts not to show her young son’s face online.
Beatrice, who gave birth to daughter Sienna Elizabeth in September 2021, and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have also chosen not to share any photos of their newborn and he rarely releases images of his son Christopher.
More footage from Tuesday’s memorial showed the new mum breaking down in tears as the royal family honoured her late grandfather.
Clips showed Beatrice begin to weep, covering her face with a printed order of service before pulling tissues from her purse.
The two princesses arrived with their respective husbands.
(Credit: (Image: Getty))She sat beside her husband, as well as sister Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, who celebrated son August’s first birthday recently.
Both sisters are understood to share a sweet bond with Charlotte and the other Cambridge children, Euegenie going so far as to ask George and his sister to play key roles in her wedding in 2018.
Photos from the event also showed Beatrice smiling with her young cousins, who aren’t much older than her step-son.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s second cousin Mia Tindall waved to the youngster from her seat beside mum Zara Tindall as the princess left the memorial on Tuesday, suggesting another cute royal friendship.
