Royal fans reflected on the Princess of Wales’ life to date as she celebrated her 43rd birthday on Thursday.
When an old photograph of Prince William’s wife as a baby was discovered again, royal fans were shocked to see how much Catherine resembled her nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte.
Photo: © Kensington Palace
Catherine’s mother, Carole Middleton, wearing a black jumper over a white shirt, held a young Catherine in a cute blue knitted cardigan. The mother and daughter appeared to be at their Berkshire home, in the baby’s nursery.
Photo: © Getty Images
A Striking Resemblance
When William and Catherine left St. Mary’s Hospital for the customary royal photocall, Princess Charlotte was only a few hours old.
Wearing a matching bonnet and a crochet blanket, the new royal family member was held by the devoted mother, who looked stunning in a yellow floral mid-length dress.
Photo: © Getty Images
The similarity between Catherine and her daughter has been a recurring theme among royal fans. More recently, on Christmas Day 2024, the royal mother-daughter pair went out together while sporting matching forest green ensembles.
Charlotte has also inherited Catherine’s long hair with a natural ‘bronde’ hue. For the festive occasion, the young royal even wore a bow – her mother’s go-to accessory of 2024.
Photo: © Getty Images
Catherine’s Childhood
Before the Middletons moved to Oak Acre, a five-bedroom house in Bucklebury, Berkshire, when the princess was thirteen, she was raised in a two-bedroom cottage in Bradfield Southend.
When Catherine was a student at the University of St. Andrews with her then-boyfriend Prince William, she spent the holidays at this property.
In addition, Catherine lived in Jordan for two years between 1984 and 1986 because her father, Michael Middleton, was employed by British Airways.
Photo: © Shutterstock / The Middleton Family
The Middletons relocated from Oak Acre to the much larger Bucklebury Manor in 2012. Growing up, Catherine was a diligent student who loved sports, especially swimming. Her former Brownie pack leader has characterized her as “quite easygoing” since she joined the local Brownies in 1990 with her sister Pippa.
Photo: © Shutterstock
“I had a very happy childhood. It was great fun and I’m very lucky I come from a very strong family,” Catherine told Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast host Giovanna Fletcher in 2020.
Photo: © Getty Images
“My parents were hugely dedicated. I really appreciate now as a parent how much they sacrificed for us. They came to every sports match, they’d be the ones on the sideline shouting, and we’d always have our family holidays together.”
As Princess Charlotte grows older, her resemblance to her mother, Catherine, becomes even more striking—not just in appearance but also in personality and interests. Those who know the Wales family closely have noted that Charlotte shares her mother’s competitive spirit and love for sports.
From a young age, Charlotte has been spotted playing football with her brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, and has shown a keen interest in gymnastics. Catherine, a well-known sports enthusiast, has always encouraged an active lifestyle for her children, just as her own parents did when she was young.
Beyond sports, Charlotte also mirrors her mother’s confidence and poise in public. Whether waving to crowds at royal events or engaging in conversations with well-wishers, she carries herself with the same grace and natural charm that have made her mother beloved by so many.
Christmas Day 2024: A Matching Moment
One of the most talked-about royal fashion moments of the past year was the mother-daughter duo’s coordinated look at the Christmas Day service at Sandringham. Dressed in elegant forest-green coats, Catherine and Charlotte looked nearly identical as they walked alongside Prince William and Charlotte’s brothers. The young princess’s outfit, complete with a stylish bow, was reminiscent of her mother’s chic yet classic style.
Royal watchers couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Catherine’s own childhood photos, reinforcing the idea that Charlotte is truly her mother’s mini-me.
A Future in the Spotlight
While Charlotte is still young, royal experts believe she will continue to take after her mother in more ways than one. Known for her warmth and genuine connection with people, Catherine has set an inspiring example for her daughter.
Much like her mother, Charlotte has already shown signs of being a natural leader. At public events, she confidently interacts with officials, waves to crowds, and even helps keep her younger brother, Prince Louis, in check—just as Catherine used to do with her younger siblings.
As Charlotte continues to grow, it will be fascinating to see how she follows in her mother’s footsteps while carving out her own path within the royal family.
For now, one thing is certain: Princess Charlotte is truly her mother’s double, both in looks and spirit.
