Princess Charlotte Revives Prince William’s ’90s Style in Ralph Lauren Jeans and Adidas Gazelles

Princess Charlotte appeared to channel a distinctly 1990s-inspired look from her father’s younger years as she joined the family in supporting the Princess of Wales during last week’s demanding Three Peaks Challenge.

Charlotte, 11, was seen smiling broadly as she hugged her mother, Catherine, 44, in a touching Instagram post shared after the royal crossed the finish line on Snowdon in Wales.

The future queen also had Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, eight, cheering her on, along with Kate’s younger brother, James Middleton, who shared an emotional reflection on their shared “promise” and the “healing power of nature.”

But among the warm family images, it was Charlotte who particularly caught the eye, with royal fans pointing out that her outfit seemed to echo Prince William’s signature style from the 1990s.

Wearing a navy J Crew crew-neck “Teddie” jumper with flared blue Ralph Lauren jeans and blue Adidas Gazelle trainers, Charlotte opted for a laid-back ensemble that many felt closely mirrored her father’s off-duty wardrobe as a young royal.

Posting on X alongside comparisons of the pair, one royal watcher wrote: “Omg I just realised who Charlotte’s style icon is.”

Another fan called the young royal a “mini William,” noting the similarity between their outfits — particularly the Prince of Wales’s long-standing fondness for smart-casual denim paired with a navy jumper.

Several royal followers also remarked on how much Charlotte appears to have grown, with the elegantly dressed youngster pictured standing nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with her mother in a number of the affectionate images.

For the marked occasion, The Princess of Wales opted for £65 North Face Summit Series Pacesetter shorts in the colour Iron Clay, which she paired with a casual black top and Scarpa World hiking shoes. 

In contrast to the typically smart looks George and Louis wear to royal engagements, the two young princes also embraced the more relaxed dress code by selecting trendy brown Adidas trainers and blue denim jeans. 

Taking to Instagram to share the candid images from the day, Catherine captioned the post: ‘This time last week, completing the National Three Peaks Challenge. A huge thank you to everybody who has supported The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.’

Meanwhile, her brother James also took to the social media platform to reveal how he was ‘so incredibly proud’ of his ‘darling sister’.

He added: ‘Two years ago, I told you we’d climb this mountain together. We talked about climbing mountains while you were in hospital, and about the incredible healing power that nature can have for both the body and the mind. So it was such an honour to join you for your Three Peaks Challenge for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

‘Seeing how far you’ve come is nothing short of inspiring. Your strength, resilience, and determination, all while being the most amazing mother, wife, daughter, and sister, inspire me and so many others every single day.

‘Keep being exactly who you are.’

In one touching image uploaded by Kate, the princess could be seen warmly embracing her daughter who snuggled up close to her while she leaned her cheek against her head.

In another, Charlotte reached towards her mother’s hand – meanwhile, the royal’s youngest child, Louis, was captured in the background playing with a dog belonging to James.

Kate’s hair was tied back into a practical pony tail and she wore a pair of sturdy brown hiking boots with thick red socks to match the colour of her shorts.

The princess did the challenge solo and was supported on the route by Mountain Rescue, with her family meeting her at the last stop at the base of Snowdon in Wales.

The Three Peaks Challenge sees participants attempt to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours: Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland and the UK, standing at 4,413ft; Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, standing at 3,209ft and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest peak in Wales, standing at 3,560ft.

It has a total walking distance of 23 miles, an ascent of 10,05ft of vertical climbing and a driving distance between the peaks of approximately 462 miles.

The princess was driven between the peaks – Scotland, then England and finally Wales – by her team. It is not believed that any other member of the Royal Family has completed the Three Peaks Challenge, also making the princess’s triumph a royal first.

In a previously penned message, Kate said: ‘Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear. What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.

‘Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone.

‘I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back.’

In a video shot before she started the challenge, the princess explained why she took it on, saying that it was ‘partly personal’, explaining: ‘I’m so grateful to be here, to be strong enough to walk these hills.’

And she added: ‘But, more importantly, it’s to give something back and acknowledge, really, all the incredible work going on up and down this country.

‘I’ve met some incredible people – those people who are living with and beyond cancer – and I know personally how difficult that journey is.

‘I really wanted to use this opportunity as my way of contributing to all the wonderful work that’s going on, and in particular to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – an organisation very dear to me, but who do extraordinary work supporting those living with and beyond the disease.’