Princess Charlotte paid a personal tribute to her late great-grandmother today as the tiny diamond pin she wore to the Queen's state funeral was a gift from the late monarch. The young princess was seen wearing a navy blue mourning coat with formal a hat for the first time, just like her mum's, and donned her first piece of symbolic jewellery.
She solemnly walked behind the late monarch's coffin with her brother Prince George and the Prince and Princess of Wales during the funeral procession. Many royalists pointed out that the horseshoe-shaped pin is a fitting ode to Charlotte's beloved great-grandmother, but it transpires that the Queen actually gifted the young princess the sweet brooch, adding even more meaning to the symbolic jewellery.
For the latest updates on the Queen's state funeral, follow our live blog.
The Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English has reported that "Princess Charlotte’s sweet little diamond horseshoe-shaped brooch was a gift from her late great-grandmother" making the young royal's outfit choice even more special.
The delicate pin shows a diamond-encrusted horseshoe, nodding to the late Queen's great passion for horses. The beloved monarch loved horse racing and bred many steeds of her own.
Princess Charlotte is known to be learning how to ride horses herself, following the lead of her great-grandmother in her budding fascination with horses.
Before the procession, nine-year-old George and Charlotte travelled to Westminster Abbey in the same car as the Queen Consor t, with mum Kate Middleton arriving with them.
Prince William marched behind the Queen's coffin with other senior royals, including his father King Charles and brother Prince Harry.
Princess Charlotte's mother also chose sentimental jewellery for the historic procession, as she plumped for a statement pearl choker owned by the late Queen.
The Princess of Wales originally wore the pearl necklace for the Queen and Prince Philips 70th wedding anniversary, and chose to wear the diamond-encrusted choker again today as a lovely tribute to the late monarch's love for her husband.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte have mimicked their parents' body language during the ceremony, in a bid to stay strong for William and Kate throughout the procession.
Judi James told The Sun that Prince George looked 'heartbreakingly sad' for his father Prince William, and showed 'concern' during the procession.
"George also mimicked some of his father’s body language, checking and smoothing his suit jacket like a grown-up," she added.
Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte was spotted sweetly mimicking her mother's actions during the state funeral, as she tipped her hat gracefully just like Kate.
The young princess was also seen r eminding her older brother of royal protocol during the procession, as she nudged Prince George to bow in front of the late monarch's coffin.
