Just days after marking a quiet but meaningful milestone, 10-year-old Princess Charlotte is drawing new attention — not for what she wore or where she went, but for what she signed.

At last month’s UEFA Women’s Euros final in Basel, Switzerland, Charlotte accompanied her father, Prince William, to watch England’s Lionesses defend their title. The match ended in a dramatic win against Spain, and while the team made headlines, it was a subtle move after the game that sparked deeper conversation.

A signature with significance

Following the final, Charlotte became the first of the three Wales children to co-sign an official royal message using her full name. Until now, she’d been known to sign off as simply “C.” But this time, the congratulatory message shared on X (formerly Twitter) was signed: W & Charlotte.

It might seem like a small gesture — but for a child raised in the public eye, every step is deliberate. According to royal commentator Richard Palmer, this moment was no coincidence. He writes that Prince William and Princess Kate are taking careful steps to ensure Charlotte, as the “middle child” between heir Prince George and youngest Prince Louis, feels seen, valued, and involved.

Avoiding the royal ‘spare’ trap

The decision fits into a broader parenting approach that observers believe is designed to avoid the well-documented struggles of royal “spares” — a role historically filled by figures like Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and even Princess Margaret.

Palmer notes that William and Kate are focused less on preparing a future monarch and more on raising three emotionally balanced individuals. In his words: “The Waleses want their children to have emotional security instead of giving special treatment to the chosen one.”

Biographer Sally Bedell Smith echoed this, suggesting Charlotte could take on more responsibility in the future — particularly as the monarchy continues to shift into a more streamlined version of itself. “I think this is an intelligent way to do it,” she told The i Paper. “I would imagine Charlotte will be part of the picture.”

What that picture ultimately looks like is still unclear. But for now, one thing is certain: Charlotte is starting to find her voice — and her name is right there at the bottom of the page.