Princess Kate delighted royal fans when she returned to the spotlight at the 2024 Trooping the Colour – but some onlookers think they spotted a minor disagreement between Kate and her daughter

There’s no doubt that Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte have the sweetest mother-and-daughter bond. But according to some royal fans, the pair had a ‘silent disagreement’ when they attended Trooping the Colour in June 2024.

It was a momentous day for the Wales family, marking Kate’s first public appearance since sharing news of her cancer diagnosis in March. Happily, the Princess has since confirmed she has completed her chemotherapy treatment. Charlotte sweetly mirrored her mum in contrasting ‘nautical’ outfits; Kate opted for a white column gown featuring a navy-and-white striped bow while Charlotte wore a navy sailor-style dress with white piping. The young Princess wore her long hair half up, fastened with a white bow. And it was her locks that seemed to be a sticking point for her mum.

One fan compiled a social media post using images taken on the day, showing Kate repeatedly pulling her daughter’s hair back over her shoulder. Charlotte, meanwhile, kept trying to wear her loose hair to the front. Social media users were quick to comment, with a number able to relate to the scenario. “Let’s be honest… mothers do this regardless of being royal or not. They prefer it a certain way, they gonna make you do it,” one wrote. A second added: “This is literally me all the time and my mum just puts it back.” “My mother always does that to me too!” a third admitted, and a fourth concluded: “I think it’s just a mum thing…”

Despite having a nanny on hand at home, William and Kate are still very involved with their children, reportedly enjoying activities like bike riding and baking. However, it’s not all play for George, Charlotte, and Louis. The royal couple have set some household rules at their Adelaide Cottage residence in Windsor – and communication is key

When one of their children is struggling with emotions or loses their temper, Kate and William are said to take them away for a ‘sofa chat’. The idea is that instead of them having alone time with their thoughts and feelings, a parent is there to help them understand what has unfolded.

Another rule employed by the couple is ‘no shouting’. Children who raise their voice are removed from the situation – and similarly, William and Kate never shout at the trio when they are telling them off. An insider previously told the Sun that Kate is “slightly stricter” than Prince William, adding that the royal couple’s nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, makes all decisions in agreement with the couple.

The source said: “Maria is firm but she never acts unilaterally with the children on discipline. Kate and William, along with Maria, are strict with the children but have this magic ability to appear not to be. It is a military operation but you would never guess it because they work ferociously hard on their children’s upbringing and making it seem relaxed and happy for the three of them. They are very good at listening to the children but being firm.”

Maria has served as royal nanny since 2014. Maria was born in Spain and studied at Norland College, which prides itself on being the first educational establishment to offer childcare training. Students are taught a range of skills, from child brain development and first aid to evasive driving techniques.

“The nannies are taught everything from defensive driving to security issues to how to care for a future king or queen,” royal commentator Victoria Murphy told ABC News in May 2015. “So [Borrallo] just really knows everything that you could possibly need to know about bringing up a child.”