PLAYING DOUBLES - 'THE BONDS BETWEEN KATE AND CHARLOTTE ARE VISIBLE'

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE PERFECTLY MIRRORS HER TENNIS-MAD MUM AS THE PRINCESS OF WALES INTRODUCES HER TO WIMBLEDON

- REBECCA RUSSELL

There's nothing like a mother's bond with her daughter, particularly when they share so many of the same passions and a similar cheeky sense of humour. And when the Princess of Wales and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, eight, took their seats in the royal box at Wimbledon to watch Carlos Alcaraz, 20, claim his victory in the men's singles, we were given a lovely glimpse of their close relationship.

The pair were joined by the Prince of Wales on the family outing, as the young princess enjoyed her first ever visit to the tennis tournament.

Speaking exclusively to OK!, leading body language expert Judi James was struck by Kate and Charlotte's similarities and in particular how the eight-year-old mimicked her mum's infectious enthusiasm for the game.

"Watching Kate's Wimbledon outing with Charlotte gave us a glimpse into how she's actively mentoring her daughter for royal life. Their mother/daughter relationship is maturing into a lovely friendship, similar to William's relationship with their son George," says Judi.

"And it was lovely to see how both Charlotte and Kate behaved like fans rather than royals during the match, with Charlotte in particular letting rip when it came to cheering Alcaraz to victory. The bonds between Kate and Charlotte are visible from the natural - and often subliminal - mirroring, which shows them in similar poses and using similar gestures too.

"When the tension of the match got too much for Charlotte she used a 'cut-off' ritual, placing both hands over her face. It looked like a direct mimicry of her mother. And sitting there with her stylish shades on while watching the match, she was a mini-me of elegant Kate.