Princess Charlotte steals show at Commonwealth Games

The young royal delighted the crowd with an animated display during a Commonwealth Games event in Birmingham, England.

Kate Middleton and Prince William brought their daughter Princess Charlotte, 7, as a surprise guest to a swimming event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, joining royal relatives Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and their children in the crowd.

Charlotte appeared to be in good spirits as she smiled and laughed among the spectators while receiving some guidance on the different events from her mother, Kate, 40, at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham, England.

At one point, she even gave her dad, William, 40, an approving thumbs up.

The outing marks the first time Charlotte has attended a royal event alongside her parents on her own. She is typically accompanied by her older brother Prince George, 9, and younger brother Prince Louis, 4. George has attended a handful of solo events with his parents over the years. Last month, he joined them at Wimbledon.

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) sit with their daughter Britain's Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (C) as they watch the men's 1500m freestyle heats swimming event at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, on day five of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 2, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge attend the Sandwell Aquatics Centre during the 2022 Commonwealth Games on August 02, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

William and Kate arrived on Tuesday shortly after the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louise and James, The Sun reports.

Before the duke and duchess’s arrival, Edward, who is vice patron of the Commonwealth Games, shared a joke with former prime minister Theresa May as he entered during the men’s 1500m freestyle heats.

The duke and duchess arrived shortly after with Princess Charlotte, dressed in a striped dress and her hair done up in pigtails.

Kate, dressed in a white blazer and trousers, embraced Edward, Sophie and their children before taking her seat next to Charlotte.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge attend the Sandwell Aquatics Centre during the 2022 Commonwealth Games on August 02, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Britain's Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the men's 1500m freestyle heats swimming event at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, on day five of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 2, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

The duchess was pointing and explaining things to her daughter, while William held one of the official programs.

The royals were cheering and applauding alongside the crowd for England 1500m freestyle hopeful Luke Turley.

After rolling her eyes following a comment from her father, Charlotte then cracked a smile as Turley’s heat came to a close.

Britain's Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (L) reacts as she sits with her mother Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge to watch the men's 1500m freestyle heats swimming event at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, on day five of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 2, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

A thumbs up for dad. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

It’s been a very sporty week for Charlotte, who also roared her support for the England Lionesses alongside Prince William ahead of Sunday’s Euro final.

She beamed as she wished the team good luck as they prepared to take on Germany at Wembley.

Wearing a short-sleeved polka dot top, Charlotte said: “Good luck, I hope you win. Bye.”

Charlotte is currently on her school summer holidays from her $34,000-a-year Thomas’s Battersea school.

The Duchess, Duke and Princess Charlotte, accompanied by @TJL1967, are joining a series of interactive workshops at SportsAid House. They are meeting powerlifters Tom Smith and Lottie McGuinness, both 21, in a mentoring session led by @Sarah_Winckless and @DaniBrownMBE! pic.twitter.com/L56U4Fd3xr

— SportsAid (@TeamSportsAid) August 2, 2022

After watching the races, the Cambridges met some of the up-and-coming athletes and their support staff who are being inspired by the Games’ current competitors to strive to one day join them.

William and Kate took part in an interactive workshop alongside some athletes learning about the practical advice provided to athletes on nutrition and restful sleep.

Originally published as Princess Charlotte steals show at Commonwealth Games