Rather than the standard royal wave, Princess Charlotte chose to acknowledge crowds and photographers in her own way on Thursday - by sticking out her tongue.

The four-year-old initially started waving to crowds in Cowes, Isle of Wight, after watching her mother and father, Kate Middleton and Prince William, compete in a charity sailing regatta around the isle.

However, the young royal then chose to switch things up by cheekily poking out her tongue instead - which, brilliantly, was all captured photographicaly.

Princess charlotte sticks out tongue with mum kate middleton at sailing regatta
Samir Hussein//Getty Images

So too, was her mother's reaction, the Duchess of Cambridge burst out laughing at her daughter, finding the whole thing very funny.

Princess charlotte sticks out tongue kate middleton
Chris Jackson//Getty Images

Instantly, the images reminded us of another serial-tongue-poker young royal, Prince Harry, who in the 1980s was pictured sticking his tongue out on more than one occasion.

Like, when he was being carried by his mother Princess Diana, while on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at Trooping of the Colour in 1988:

Prince Harry Sticks Out Tongue
Tim Graham//Getty Images

Or even from a car window while on the way to meet his new younger cousin Princess Beatrice at hospital:

Prince Harry sticks out tongue
Mirrorpix//Getty Images

Charlotte was joined by her brother Prince George at the regatta yesterday. They were watched over by their grandparents Michael and Carol Middleton while they viewed the sailing race from another boat.

George was appropriately dressed for his day at see in a breton-style navy top, sailor hat that said 'captain' and life jacket for safety.

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Take Part In The King's Cup Regatta and prince george watches
Karwai Tang//Getty Images

Unfortunately for the Duchess of Cambridge, her vessel finished last in the eight-boat race at the King's Cup regatta so her prize was a wooden spoon, which she accepted very gracefully.

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Take Part In The King's Cup Regatta
Samir Hussein//Getty Images
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sandringham, norfolk december 25 catherine, princess of wales and princess charlotte of wales attend the christmas morning service at sandringham church on december 25, 2023 in sandringham, norfolk photo by samir husseinwireimage
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Olivia Blair
Entertainment Editor (Luxury)

Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.