Inside Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ Bond: She’s ‘Super Protective of Her Little Brother’

Princess Charlotte is the caring older sister of Prince Louis.

On Friday, five-year-old Louis made his debut at mum Kate Middleton’s annual Christmas service at Westminster Abbey. With Prince George, 10, and Charlotte, 8, leading him by his side, Louis was unfazed by the 1,500 guests as he confidently walked into the historic venue, where he held a lit candle as part of the ceremony. .

“It’s so sweet to see the three of them together, especially Charlotte being super protective of her little brother,” Sophie Mirman, founder of British children’s clothing brand Trotters, tells PEOPLE exclusively, adding that Louis “looked so grown up” in the ” little coat and Chelsea boots.”

Charlotte and Louisa have always shared a special closeness. In a photo released by William and Kate for Charlotte’s third birthday, she is shown cradling baby Louis on her lap and placing a sweet kiss on her sleeping brother’s head.

The young princess also adored her little brother in portraits from Louis’ christening in 2018. While everyone else is looking at the camera and smiling, the proud big sister is focused only on Louis as she looks lovingly at him and holds his hand.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023.

Chris Jackson/Getty

These days, Louis likes to copy Charlotte’s every move. In 2021, Prince William revealed that the family of five likes to play music in the morning and the children to dance around the house. “Especially Charlotte running around the kitchen in her dresses and ballet stuff and everything,” said the proud papa. “She goes completely nuts as Louis follows her around trying to do the same thing.”

Charlotte is also known for keeping an eye on her brother while on royal outings and making sure he follows royal protocol!

All three children were perfectly coordinated in navy blue and burgundy for Friday’s carol concert, with Charlotte wearing the same red wool coat from the brand she wore to last year’s service.

“We had no idea Princess Charlotte would wear the coat again and she still looks absolutely stunning in it!” says Mirman.

Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at a Christmas carol concert on December 8, 2023.

Chris Jackson/Getty

In true Louis style, the youngest (and cheekiest!) member of the family couldn’t resist a little holiday fun, going out of his way to snuff out his sister’s candle flame as they left. Charlotte looked completely indifferent and smiled sweetly at her little brother.

George, Charlotte and Louis told jokes during the Christmas card photo shoot, according to the photographer

“Louis is a ‘cheeky monkey — a typical third child,'” someone who knows the family previously told PEOPLE. “It’s nice that the world [gets] to see him enjoying himself.”

On Saturday, William and Kate released their annual Christmas card, a monochrome image of the family in jeans and white shirts posing in a studio – quite a departure from the usual light-hearted summer vacation photos they’ve featured on their cards for years.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis pose for their 2023 Christmas card photo.

Josh Shinner/Kensington Palace/PA Wire

“It was a very different look, it’s very current,” says Mirman, whose clothes are often worn by children in Wales on celebratory occasions.

About the scaled-down black-and-white photo of the family, Mirman says, “I think it’s a reflection, there’s so much going on in the world — I think it’s possible that there was a nod to that in its simplicity.” It wasn’t excessive, it was limited, but in a nice way.”

“They just looked like normal kids, not dressed up, just very simple,” adds Mirman, whose Hampton canvas sneakers are worn by both Charlotte and Louis in the minimalist photo.

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While Charlotte was the focus of the shot, despite photographer Josh Shinner’s initial sketch suggesting Louis and Charlotte would be sitting together on a chair, her confident smile says it all.

The twins in crisp white shirts and jeans in a studio setting, the Christmas card portrait seems to nod to a holiday photo of the late Princess Diana with young William and Harry taken by Mario Testino in 1994. In the memorable photo, Diana also wears a classic white shirt.

Princess Diana’s 1994 Christmas card.

Albanpix/Shutterstock

While it may be a coincidence, there is another nod to Diana in the white shirt worn by Charlotte. Purchased from one of Kate’s children’s clothing stores, Amaia, a few seasons ago, the turtleneck design has been updated since Kate bought her daughter’s version and is now aptly called the Diana Blouse. The long-sleeved model retails for $88 and comes complete with delicate mother-of-pearl buttons.

The children’s playful bond was also featured in a new video released by Kensington Palace on Monday of Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis visiting a baby bank in Windsor. During a private family outing, they help pack bags of donations, including toys and clothes, for at-risk children this holiday season. In the clip, Louis appears to be in love with a King Kong toy, while Charlotte can be heard exclaiming “Ooh la la” as she spots the donation shelves.

Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis visited a baby bank in Windsor on December 11, 2023.

The Prince and Princess of Wales/YouTube

The trio were last seen volunteering during The Big Help Out on May 8 following the coronation of King Charles. During a visit to the scout group, a fellow volunteer noticed that Charlotte had taken the lead and helped Louis.

“She advised him! ‘Don’t do it, Louis!’ — things like that,” Girl Scout volunteer Anne Edwards told PEOPLE at the time, adding that it was great to see children from Wales excited about volunteering.

“They were very relaxed and joined in, like normal kids. That’s what was really nice,” Edwards said.

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Source: HIS Education