Princess Charlotte is the latest British royal to enthrall the public. She’s now even moved beyond needing her mom, Kate Middleton, with whom she used to lean on, to walking on her own. Her first real song With this newly discovered capacity, she finally reaches a major developmental milestone. She’s looking forward to celebrating her 11th birthday this May! Observers have noted that her body language reflects growing confidence, particularly during royal outings with her siblings, Prince George and Prince Louis.
The young princess’s swift evolution from needing to hold her mother’s hand to walks of independence is immediately obvious during all of their public outings. Last summer on the grounds of Wimbledon, even little Princess Charlotte wowed royal watchers with her graceful etiquette in social settings. She proved her mettle during the recent walkabout at Sandringham over Christmas Day. Her connection with Kate Middleton is deep and abiding. With support from the Duchess of Cambridge, providing your daughter with strong emotional foundations.
We spoke with psychologist Dr. Patricia Britto about this encouraging movement in behavior. To start, she described how Princess Charlotte’s behavior as a toddler reflects a healthy “secure base,” or “secure base” in psychological terms. This ensures that the child’s increasing autonomy is a result of the faith developed in her bond with her mother, instead of separating from her.
“In psychology, we talk a lot about secure attachment: the idea that a child feels safe because they trust their parent is there if they need them.” – Dr. Patricia Britto
Dr. Britto went on to explain why Kate Middleton’s active involvement is absolutely essential for building Charlotte’s high self-esteem. Charlotte’s mom Kate said she appreciated that responsibility for the emotional availability and freedom Charlotte needs given space to be herself. This balance of support and independence is vital for a child’s development.
“Princess Kate’s role is key here. She appears to offer what psychologists would call a ‘secure base’, staying close, attentive, and emotionally available, while allowing Charlotte to take the lead,” – Dr. Patricia Britto
The story behind Princess Charlotte’s blossoming self-assurance is all in her detailed body language. Her willingness to speak her mind in public settings shows that she, unlike others, is comfortable knowing she can be herself without fear.
“That balance of warmth and gentle autonomy-building is exactly what helps children develop self-belief and resilience. They learn, ‘I can do this, and if I need support, it’s right there,’” – Dr. Patricia Britto
As children get older and develop their sense of autonomy, they begin to assert their independence in new ways. Dr. Britto clarified that this behavior is not indicative of children having a weakening attachment to their parents. Rather, it’s meant to demonstrate the depth of their secure attachment.
“At this age, children naturally start to take small steps toward independence, not because they feel less close to a parent, but because they feel secure enough to explore,” – Dr. Patricia Britto
