JUST ONE SMALL DETAIL, AND PRINCESS CHARLOTTE STILL HAD THE PUBLIC UNABLE TO LOOK AWAY At first glance, Princess Charlotte’s appearance at this year’s Easter service seemed no different from usual—poised, polished, and perfectly in line with royal tradition. But within moments, many began to notice a subtle “something” — a tiny detail that could easily be missed if you weren’t paying close attention. What makes it so intriguing is how understated it is, almost deliberately kept so discreet that it takes a second look to be sure you’ve spotted it correctly. That gentle shift, however, was enough to create a quiet buzz, giving Charlotte’s look a refreshed feel without breaking any royal conventions. Some believe it reflects the modern parenting approach of Catherine, Princess of Wales, allowing young royals to express individuality in the most refined way. And it’s precisely that barely noticeable detail that has people talking — because not everyone catches it the first time they see it.

Princess Charlotte of Wales attends the 2026 Easter Matins Service at St George's Chapel on April 05, 2026 in Windsor, England.

Princess Charlotte put a twist on her signature hairstyle during her most recent royal appearance.

On April 5, 10-year-old Charlotte stepped out with her hair braided back when the royal family attended the Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday.

Princess Charlotte — who has blonde hair like her father, Prince William, did when he was a kid — wore her long, straight locks braided back. Charlotte’s hair was pulled back from her face with a small braid on each side of her head, and the plaits came down into a twist before being tied off.

Princess Charlotte of Wales attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 5, 2026 in Windsor, England.
Princess Charlotte attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 5, 2026 in Windsor, England.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

The style marked a departure from the young royal’s go-to hairstyle for her most recent public appearances.

Towards the end of last year, Princess Charlotte wore her long hair back into a half-ponytail tied with a ribbon for three outings in a row in December 2025.

Princess Charlotte of Wales, hair detail, attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2025 in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Princess Charlotte attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2025 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage

However, the tied-back braids that Charlotte rocked on Easter are a style she has experimented with previously.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! 

The princess wore her hair that way a few times in the spring and summer of 2025, from VE Day that May to Trooping the Colour in June and an appearance at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in July.

Princess Charlotte of Wales, hair detail, attends day fourteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2025 in London, England
Princess Charlotte attends day fourteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2025 in London, England.Karwai Tang/WireImage
Our new app is here! Free, fun and full of exclusives. Scan to download now!

Princess Charlotte keeps her hair long like her mom, Princess Kate, and the Princess of Wales has previously joked about her own attempts to style her daughter’s tresses.

During a royal outing in June 2019 in Cumbria, the royal mom joked that she was no hair pro while complimenting some little girls’ “pretty” braided hair.

“I tried to do a plait with Charlotte this morning, and it didn’t really work very well,” Princess Kate, now 44, said.

Princess Charlotte of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 5, 2026 in Windsor, England.
Princess Charlotte, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Prince Louis and Prince William attend the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 5, 2026 in Windsor, England.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Hands-on dad Prince William, 43, also joked about the struggle of styling Charlotte’s hair during a chat with members of the father’s group Dads 4 Life in March 2019.

“Never try to do a ponytail!” the Prince of Wales told one father who spoke about learning how to style his daughter’s hair from YouTube tutorials. “Nightmare.”

Princess Kate asked him, “Have you tried to do a plait? It’s the weaving…really hard,” and Prince William quipped, “I can do [Charlotte’s] ponytail, but that’s about it as I don’t have enough hair to practice on!”