Royal Composure Shines
Princess Charlotte earns widespread praise for her composed demeanor during Trooping the Colour balcony appearance
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Princess Charlotte stole the show at the 2024 Trooping the Colour, standing rigidly at attention during the National Anthem while her younger brother Prince Louis danced beside her. A video of the nine-year-old correcting Louis went viral, racking up 2.8 million TikTok views and 140,000 likes within just 48 hours, according to Newsweek.
Fans flooded social media calling Charlotte "a natural leader" and "the main character" of the day — high praise for an event held to mark King Charles III's official birthday. Many went further, calling her a "fitting future Princess Royal," drawing comparisons to Princess Anne.
Charlotte Corrects Louis and Internet Goes Wild
The key moment came as the National Anthem began on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Charlotte was filmed standing perfectly still while Louis fidgeted and danced. Lip reader Nicola Hickling, quoted by The Daily Mirror, identified Charlotte telling Louis: "You have to stop doing that. Watch the parade." Louis reportedly shot back, "I won't." Charlotte replied, "Do as you're told."
The clip spread fast across X and TikTok. Users compared Charlotte's composure to that of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Body language expert Judi James told The Daily Mirror that Charlotte has become the "royals' new superstar," acting as a stabilizing force for her siblings and a "mini-me" to her mother, Princess Kate.
Kate's Emotional Return Adds Weight to the Day
The 2024 parade carried extra emotional weight. Princess Kate attended her first official public engagement of the year after revealing her cancer diagnosis earlier in 2024. In a statement released the day before, she said she was "making good progress" but was "not out of the woods yet." The Irish Guards trooped their colour — and Kate is their Honorary Colonel.
King Charles, also undergoing cancer treatment, rode in a carriage rather than on horseback — a break from tradition driven by his health. Over 1,000 soldiers, 250 musicians, and 200 horses took part in the ceremony, according to Stamford Advocate.
Charlotte's Future Title and What Comes Next
When Prince William becomes King, Charlotte will be eligible for the title of Princess Royal — currently held by Princess Anne. The title is not automatic; it is granted by the Sovereign to their eldest daughter. Royal analysts say Charlotte's early discipline and public poise put her firmly on that path, according to Newsweek.
Analyst Ingrid Seward said Charlotte's conduct was a "fitting tribute" to the military nature of the day. Royal commentators noted a visible shift in how the public sees the Wales children. Charlotte is no longer just a sibling — she is increasingly viewed as a "guardian of the royal brand."
Not Everyone Was Cheering From the Sidelines
While crowds lined The Mall to cheer the royals, the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a protest nearby with "Not My King" signs. CEO Graham Smith called the event a "superficial cover for a grubby and corrupt institution" and accused police of trying to push protesters out of camera shot.
US outlets like People and Page Six focused mainly on the "sibling rivalry" and "cute antics," treating the event more like a celebrity family outing than a centuries-old constitutional ceremony. The 2024 viewership figures are still being tallied, but the 2023 parade drew a peak of 7.5 million TV viewers — and analysts expect 2024 to top that, driven by Kate's return.
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