Prince George Matches His Dad: Why Parents Dress Their Kids Like Them
In 1984, Prince William, left, wore an outfit almost identical to that worn by future son Prince George on Sunday for Princess Charlotte’s christening. (Photo: AP)
Although Sunday belonged to Princess Charlotte — as the 9-week-old daughter of Kate Middleton and Prince William was baptized — big brother Prince George nabbed some of the limelight with his adorable outfit (which is, unsurprisingly, now sold out in sizes 12 and 18 months).
The toddler, holding his father’s hand as the family walked to St. Mary Magdalene Church on Queen Elizabeth’s Sandringham estate, was dressed in a pair of $125 Rachel Riley red shorts and white shirt with red trim. It was almost the same outfit William wore in 1984 when he was 2, visiting his 1-day-old brother, Harry, in the hospital.
STORY: Kate Middleton Gives Princess Charlotte a Royal Ride to Christening
Coincidence? Probably not, as it’s not the first time Prince George has made royal appearances as a vintage William.
STORY: See New Photos of Princess Charlotte and Prince George Snapped by Kate Middleton
On the queen’s birthday in June, during a ceremony called Trooping the Colour, Prince George appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace wearing a pale blue romper with cream lace that was almost identical to the one William wore in 1984 for the same event. (Also notable: In the latest shot, William wore the same red tunic as his father, Prince Charles, did on that day.)
In 1984, Prince William, left, wore a blue romper with cream lace similar to the one Prince George wore to the same royal event in 2015. (Photo: Corbis Images/Getty Images)
Then there were the Daddy-and-me outfits selected for George’s first meeting with his little sister: William carried his son into St. Mary’s Hospital on May 2, and both wore navy blue sweaters with white collared shirts.
Prince George and Prince William dressed as twins for George’s first meeting with little sister Princess Charlotte. (Photo: Getty Images)
“Continuity is the cornerstone of the British monarchy, and George’s clothes add a sense of history to a day steeped in royal custom and tradition,” CNN royal contributor Victoria Arbiter tells Yahoo Parenting. Arbiter adds that George has worn clothing by Rachel Riley (one of Middleton’s favorite designers) in the past, and it’s possible that when William and Kate saw the red-and-white getup they felt nostalgic.
Parent-and-me outfits aren’t limited to royalty, of course. In May, Simon Cowell tweeted a photo of himself and infant son Eric, both wearing white shirts with black pants. In 2013, Scott Disick (who recently split with partner Kourtney Kardashian) went to lunch with toddler Mason wearing matching black bomber jackets. Jennifer Garner, Katie Holmes, and Jessica Alba have also been photographed twinning with their daughters.
Could mini-me outfits be a reflection of the parent-child bond at its best? It’s possible — the mother-daughter relationship is notorious for its intensity, and the story of one German dad named Nils Pickert and his young son went viral in 2012 when Pickert wore a skirt in solidarity with the boy, who was teased for wearing dresses.
According to Beverly Hills psychotherapist Fran Walfish, the father-and-son bond often strengthens after a child hits the 12-month mark. “Daddy takes a backseat to mommy during this first important phase of developing trust and security within the newborn infant,” she tells Mom.me. However, as a boy begins to crawl and walk, she adds, he begins to connect emotionally with Dad.
As for Prince William’s sweet connection with his only boy, the future king has said of fatherhood, “It’s only been a short period, but a lot of things affect me differently now.”
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