Princess Charlotte, the second child of Prince William and Princess Kate, has been gaining attention for her striking resemblance to her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. While Charlotte didn’t seem to share much of a likeness to the late queen during her lifetime, a throwback photo of Queen Elizabeth as a child has sparked the realization among royal fans that the two share a close resemblance. The image, shared by the Royal Collection Trust on Instagram, features a young Queen Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret from 1938, and fans were quick to point out how much Princess Charlotte looks like her great-grandmother.
In particular, Charlotte’s curly hair aside, many royal observers were amazed at the likeness. Some even joked that Charlotte could be a “clone or time traveler” due to the similarity. However, some fans also saw traces of Princess Margaret in Charlotte’s features. Others noted how Queen Elizabeth, as a child, bore a strong resemblance to her father, King George VI, linking her likeness to Charlotte’s older brother, Prince George, who is named after him.
Charlotte’s name also has deep royal roots, with her namesake being Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III. The royal family has continued the tradition of giving their children historically significant names, and Charlotte carries on that legacy.
In a historic twist, Charlotte’s place in the royal line of succession is noteworthy: for the first time in British history, Princess Charlotte could theoretically ascend to the throne ahead of her younger brother, Louis, due to the 2015 amendment to the Rules of Succession, which now allows princesses and princes to have an equal shot at the crown. So, while Charlotte may look like Queen Elizabeth, she’s also helping to rewrite royal history.