Growing up in the spotlight of the Royal Family can’t be easy, and it’s a unique experience that pretty much only the other royals will be able to relate to. Not many children are required to take part in high-profile events of state, particularly not highly emotionally charged ones that are filled with personal grief.

It’s no surprise then that Princess Charlotte – aged eight – has formed strong bonds with her relatives, even ones that are much older than her, and one expert has highlighted a particularly brave gesture that the young royal made to one of them during an upsetting time.

Judi James, a body language specialist, told The Express that one moment at Prince Philip’s memorial service, which took place a year after his death once social distancing restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic had ended, showed just how close Princess Charlotte is with her older relative, Princess Beatrice.

Beatrice, the elder daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, was seen becoming overwhelmed with emotion at her grandfather’s memorial and started crying and trying to hide her tears with her order of service, which was quickly spotted by young Princess Charlotte.

Charlotte’s concern was noted by Beatrice who gave her a big smile in response, to show her young relative that she was all right. This “touching moment” showed what James called the “special affection” between the two royals, despite their age gap.

“Beatrice was overcome by emotion during the service, weeping loudly and even hiding her entire face behind her hymn sheet at one point,” James explained.

“It was little Charlotte who looked back from the front row with an expression of concern, prompting Beatrice to offer a small smile and nod of thanks to reassure Charlotte she was okay”.

The body language specialist also noted that their closeness was clear at Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018 when Charlotte was seen looking up at Beatrice adoringly.

However, Beatrice isn’t Charlotte’s only adult royal friend, because James also notes that as she gets older she shows visible friendship connection signals with her mother Kate, who is reported to want to expand this, because of her fears around Charlotte not having a sister to bond with.

Kate’s close friendship with her own sister Pippa is well documented, and a royal source has previously claimed that Kate is trying to instigate friendship with her daughter by including her in fashion decisions and having special sleepovers with just the two of them.