Prince William and his family made a public appearance at Wimbledon, but it was a subtle detail involving Princess Charlotte that stirred up conversation among royal watchers.
The 10-year-old royal sat between her mother, Princess Kate, and older brother Prince George on Centre Court to watch reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz play against Jannik Sinner.
Charlotte appeared lively and engaged during the match, reacting enthusiastically to the gameplay—particularly in support of Alcaraz. Her love for tennis is believed to come from her mother, who has long been a regular at the prestigious All England Lawn Tennis Club.
The Nail Polish That Sparked a Buzz
During the match, Charlotte lifted her hands to her face in a moment of excitement—when a photographer captured an image that quickly became a talking point online. The young princess, dressed in a crisp white summer dress with Mary Jane flats, was also spotted wearing bright pink nail polish.
While some royal observers considered the polish a break from long-standing traditions, others disagreed. The UK’s Mirror noted, “Princess Charlotte’s bright nails could be seen as her breaking from tradition, given previous speculation, though that doesn’t appear to be the case.”
A Family History of Pink
Despite claims that royals are meant to stick to pale, neutral tones, pink has a long-standing place in royal fashion. Queen Elizabeth famously wore Essie’s “Ballet Slippers” polish—a soft pink shade—for decades. Princess Diana also embraced pink in her wardrobe, and just days before the match, Princess Kate was seen wearing a pale pink Christian Dior outfit on July 9.
Charlotte’s pink polish was even described as “funky pink” by the Daily Mail, adding a modern flair to the royal ensemble.
Online Reactions Are Mixed
Social media quickly chimed in. One user wrote, “Thought bright colors weren’t allowed in the RF,” while another speculated, “When you zoom in the nails don’t look too perfect so she probably did them herself or her mum maybe,” calling the idea “gorgeous.”
Others saw the moment as a win for modernity. “Delighted she is wearing girly pink nail polish! One antiquated rule, down!” one user celebrated.
Defenders also praised the moment, considering Kate’s health journey. “Beautiful little girl, enjoying time with her Mum who is in remission from cancer. Cut her some slack for goodness sake. She’s human and has feelings like the rest of us,” one post read.
Prince William and Prince George’s Wardrobe Raises Eyebrows
While Charlotte drew the most attention, royal fans also had thoughts about Prince William and George’s wardrobe choices. Some online commenters questioned the decision to dress both in suits during London’s 79°F summer heat.
“Fancy putting the poor lad in a suit and tie in this heat,” one person remarked, while another joked whether they secretly wished for shorts and T-shirts instead.
Charlotte Steals the Spotlight
Though her younger brother Prince Louis didn’t attend, and Prince Harry’s son Archie—often noted for more rebellious behavior—was absent, Charlotte once again captured the spotlight among royal fans. Her lively energy and bold fashion choice showed that, even in a family of tradition, small moments of individuality still shine.