King Charles may be a grandfather to five young royals, but it’s his eight-year-old granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, who shares with him a surprisingly tender connection — a love of dance that bridges generations.

A Grandfather’s Rhythm

Just this week, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a Royal Ballet performance, staged in honour of teachers and NHS frontline workers. Observers couldn’t help but notice the monarch’s delight; he confessed afterward that he “couldn’t stop tapping his feet” to the music.

And while little Prince Louis once stole the spotlight by clambering onto his grandfather’s lap at the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, it’s Charlotte who quietly reflects Charles’ own joy — through ballet.

Charlotte’s Passion for Ballet

Princess Kate has spoken openly about her daughter’s enthusiasm for dance, revealing back in 2017: “My daughter Charlotte likes dancing, she loves ballet and tap.”

That passion has only grown. Earlier this year, Charlotte celebrated her birthday with a very special outing: a trip to the Royal Opera House with her mother, to watch Cinderella performed by The Royal Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada.

It’s no surprise then that reports confirmed Charlotte has been taking private ballet lessons in London since she was little. Now at Lambrook School, where ballet is also part of the curriculum, the young princess has plenty of opportunity to nurture her gift.

A Family Legacy of Dance

Charlotte’s fondness for ballet seems to run in the family. Her grandmother, Queen Camilla, attends Silver Swan ballet classes — designed for older dancers. And of course, her late grandmother, Princess Diana, had her own lifelong love affair with dance.

As a child, Diana dreamed of becoming a ballerina, and though she grew too tall to pursue it professionally, her passion never faded. In 1985, she famously surprised audiences with a dazzling performance at the Royal Opera House alongside dancer Wayne Sleep.

Wayne later recalled: “She had natural style. She could do a pirouette, a high kick, and she moved with such joy.”

Charlotte at Home

At home, Charlotte is every bit the budding ballerina. Prince William once revealed with a laugh: “Charlotte is running around the kitchen in her dresses and ballet stuff and everything.”