Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Siblings: How George and Charlotte Get Along

Who We Are Talking About

Queen Elizabeth II was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved talking warmly about her great-grandchildren. Among them were the three children of the Prince and Princess of Wales:

• Prince George
• Princess Charlotte
• Prince Louis

A Peek at George and Charlotte’s Bond

In January 2018, at a church service in Sandringham, the Queen shared a little insight about how George and Charlotte act together.

Here is what happened:

1. The Queen spoke with Ellen Clay, who was watching her own daughter Emily (then age 10) receive a Bible from the Queen.
2. The Queen asked Ellen if Emily "looked after" her little sister.
3. Ellen said it was actually the other way around—the little sister looked after the older one.
4. The Queen replied: "It’s like that with Charlotte and George."

Important Point: The Queen meant that younger Charlotte looks out for older George, not the other way around!

After meeting the Queen, Ellen said: "She asked if Emily looked after Hadleigh and I said it was more the other way round. She said it was like that with Princess Charlotte and Prince George."

Ellen’s husband Tom added: "The Queen was implying that Charlotte keeps an eye out for George rather than the other way around. It is often the case that a younger child is more confident. It is second child syndrome."
(“Second child syndrome” is just a simple way to say the second-born child can act more bossy or confident than the first.)

What Their Mom Said

The Queen’s comment matched something the then-Duchess of Cambridge (now Princess of Wales, Kate) said in March 2017. She and Prince William were at a war memorial event in London.

Kate told Samantha Burge (wife of a serviceman): "Charlotte is growing up really fast. She is the one in charge."

Charlotte was only two years old then! Even so, her close bond with brothers George and Louis is easy to spot during public appearances.

Royal Sibling Bond in Action

A sweet home video for George’s 12th birthday in July showed the three kids:

• Holding hands while walking through woods in Norfolk
• Giggling as George (then 12) and Charlotte (then 10) lifted little Louis (then 7) up

Prince William also shared family life details on Eugene Levy’s show The Reluctant Traveler in October:

• The family sits down together for meals with no phones allowed. William said: "We sit and chat, it’s really important. None of our children have any phones, which we’re very strict about."
• Instead of screens, the kids play:
  • Louis loves trampolining and wrestles with Charlotte
  • Charlotte does netball and ballet
  • They try musical instruments
  • George loves football and hockey

The siblings care for each other in public too:

• In 2022 at Sandringham, Louis ran to give Charlotte flowers from a fan
• At the King’s coronation in May 2023, Charlotte held Louis’ hand into Westminster Abbey
• At Queen Elizabeth II’s 2022 funeral, Charlotte gently reminded George when to bow

Important Point: Charlotte often acts like the helper or guide for her brothers, even though she is younger than George.

Summary

Queen Elizabeth II noticed that Princess Charlotte looks after her older brother Prince George, not the other way around. Both the Queen and the kids’ mom Kate said Charlotte is confident and “in charge.” Videos and public moments show George, Charlotte, and Louis being close, playing together, and watching out for one another.

FAQ

1. Who were the three royal children mentioned?
They are Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—children of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

2. What did Queen Elizabeth II say about Charlotte and George?
She said, “It’s like that with Charlotte and George,” meaning Charlotte looks out for George like a younger sibling looking after an older one.

3. Does the royal family allow phones for the kids?
No. William said none of the children have phones and they are strict about it.

4. How do the siblings show they care in public?
Examples: Louis gave Charlotte flowers, Charlotte held Louis’ hand at the coronation, and she reminded George to bow at the Queen’s funeral.