Princess Charlotte is taking after mom Princess Kate’s signature style

Princess Charlotte is growing up — and maybe growing out her hair!

On Friday evening, the 8-year-old princess debuted a hair change at mom Kate Middleton’s third annual Together At Christmas carol service. The concert was held at Westminster Abbey with a spotlight on the Princess of Wales’ Shaping campaign from her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, and many members of the royal family stepped out to support.

Princess Charlotte arrived with her dad, Prince William, and brothers, Prince George, 10, and Prince Louis, 5 (who got to attend the event for the first time). After hopping out of their car and greeting the Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Wales siblings slipped envelopes into a special red mailbox that was collecting homemade Christmas cards for children who might be struggling this year. Rebecca English of the Daily Mail said on X that George, Charlotte and Louis each wrote cards.

Charlotte’s hair looked longer than ever as she mailed her letter. The Prince and Princess of Wales’ only daughter wore her hair half-up and tied back with a ribbon, which has long been one of her signature styles.

The little princess might be taking after mom Kate if she’s growing out her hair, as the Princess of Wales has mostly worn her hair below her shoulders for the last decade.

Princess Charlotte’s last major appearance was at Wimbledon, which she attended for the first time in July. The young royal had a prime spot in the Royal Box with Prince George and her parents, where she wore the front strands of her hair braided back and tied by a bow.

Princess Charlotte experimented with braided buns at Trooping the Colour in June, and King Charles’ coronation in May. Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate had a matching moment with similar hairstyles and headpieces at the historic crowning, as both wore knotted chignons with silver floral headpieces by Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen.

The headpieces thoughtfully nodded to the past, specifically to the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth. The three-dimensional silver and crystal leaf headpiece worn by the Princess of Wales, which was a larger headtopper than Charlotte’s, looked strikingly similar to the ones worn by the late Queen’s maids at her coronation.

“If they did take inspiration from those ornaments, it was a nice way to give Kate something that stood out visually while still reinforcing her current role as a supporter of the King and Queen,” Lauren Kiehna, writer at The Court Jeweller blog, told PEOPLE.

Charlotte and Louis sweetly held hands when they entered Westminster Abbey for the coronation of their grandfather and Queen Camilla seven months ago, and the Together at Christmas concert wouldn’t have been complete without another adorable sibling moment.

As the concert came to a close, George, Charlotte and Louis held lit candles like fellow members of the congregation. Outside, Prince Louis leaned over to blow out Princess Charlotte’s flame. Cameras caught Princess Kate walking behind her kids when it happened, and her eyes were all over the moment!
During the evening of entertainment, which was highlighted by performances from the Westminster Abbey choir and performances by Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings and James Bay, plus a reading from Prince William, among others, Louis had another candid moment with a candle.

As seen in a video the Prince and Princess of Wale’s team posted to their shared Kensington Royal account on X of the Together at Christmas concert, Kate sweetly leaned to light Louis’ candle with her own.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our special carol service, Together at Christmas.

From the performers whose voices filled Westminster Abbey, to the early years workforce of carers, midwives, nurses and so many more who are not only making a difference to children… pic.twitter.com/JxTFfabG0x

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 8, 2023

As in years past, the Together At Christmas concert will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, airing on ITV1 and ITV X on Christmas Eve. The Dec. 24 broadcast will also feature additional content including an introduction from the Princess of Wales, films that highlight the importance of early childhood and celebrations of the contributions people in our communities are making to support the very youngest members of our society during those crucial early years.

Kate released a festive message about the upcoming special on Thursday night, inviting viewers to tune in on Christmas Eve.

“Join me this Christmas Eve for a special carol service as we say a heartfelt thank you to all those supporting the very youngest members of our society during those crucial early years,” Princess Kate said in the snippet that aired on ITV1, filmed before a glittering Christmas tree.

Together at Christmas🎄✨

The Princess of Wales returns to host a special Christmas Carol Service in Westminster Abbey.

Watch Royal Carols: Together at Christmas on @ITV and @ITVX at 7.45pm this Christmas Eve! pic.twitter.com/HQyuydWAbr

— ITV (@ITV) December 8, 2023