Friendship bracelets are firmly back in fashion – just ask regal Gen Alphas Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Even the King, admittedly more trad than rad, has been spotted wearing one.
The woven bands have their origins millennia ago – Native Americans are thought to have invented them in – but first became hugely popular in the 1970s, when hippies made and wore them, gifting them as tokens of friendship.
In 2024, they’re having a moment once more – and it’s mostly thanks to Taylor Swift, whose fans have long since shared beaded versions of them, often bearing phrases from her lyrics.
At Taylor’s London dates back in June, the pop icon’s boyfriend Travis Kelce was spotted trading a friendship bracelet with a Swiftie – and has been spotted with wrists covered in them at the end of her gigs.
Taylor Swift’s fans are known to love friendship bracelets – and Prince George and Princess Charlotte, pictured with the global pop star, and the Prince of Wales, at her London concerts in June are both big fans of the singer
Kensington Palace shared this portrait of Prince George, taken by his mother Kate, to mark his 11th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day – and on his left wrist the certified Swiftie was wearing a friendship bracelet
King Charles, 75, has been spotted wearing what appears to be a ‘friendship bracelet’ during recent engagements, including today for his visit to Guernsey with Queen Camilla, pictured left. Made up of yellow and red thread, the band seems to be similar to versions sported by His Majesty’s granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, nine, when she attended the Wimbledon final over the weekend, pictured right
It’s unclear if the King’s new jewellery piece (pictured) is a gift from his granddaughter
Charlotte wore two of the threaded bracelets, one featuring various shades of pink and another boasting green, blue and pink fabric
And the three-time Superbowl winner even admitted he once put his number on a beaded band to catch Taylor’s eye before the pair began dating last year.
Since meeting the star at her London gig, the young royals have been getting in on the summer trend, with George’s 11th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day portrait, taken by the Princess of Wales, showing the Prince – a certified Swiftie – dressed in a smart suit, with a woven bracelet on his left wrist.
It’s not the first time George has been seen wearing it either, the young royal again wore it with a smart suit when he attended the UEFA Euro 2024 Final between Spain v England two weeks ago.
King Charles, 75, has also been spotted wearing what appears to be a ‘friendship bracelet’ during recent engagements, including last week for his visit to Guernsey with Queen Camilla.
Both George and Charlotte have worn the bands – not quite the same as the beaded ones worn by Swifties – at major sporting events this summer, with Princess Charlotte donning one at the men’s singles at Wimbledon and the young Prince wearing one during a Euros match
As Princess Charlotte attended the Wimbledon men’s final she was also wearing bracelets that looked very similar to the one Prince George was wearing in his 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day portrait
A gift from the grand𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren? During his trip to the Channel Islands last week, King Charles was also spotted wearing a handmade bracelet around his right wrist (appears left in photo)
Made up of yellow and red thread, the band seems to be similar to versions sported by His Majesty’s granddaughter, Princess Charlotte , nine, when she attended the Wimbledon final last weekend with her mother, the Princess of Wales .
Dressed in a navy polka dot frock, Charlotte wore two of the threaded bracelets, one featuring various shades of pink and another boasting green, blue and pink fabric.
Friendship bracelets have seen a resurgence in popularity over the summer due to the success of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
However, the royal versions are not believed to be the same as those made by fans attending Taylor’s concerts – despite George and Charlotte going to her show at Wembley last month.
The bracelets swapped by Swifties tend to feature beads with lettering spelling our lyrics and song names, while Charlotte, George and Charles’ accessories are made from plain coloured thread.
Swift, who’s back in London performing in August, has reignited the trend for friendship bracelets in recent years
At Taylor’s June concerts, Travis and Jason Kelce were seen swapping friendship bracelets with a fan of Taylor Swift at the singer’s sold-out London gig
Yesterday, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared the new portrait of Prince George to mark him turning 11.
The black and white photo, taken by keen photographer Kate, 42, shows the future King beaming for the camera.
The young royal, the eldest 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 George Alexander Louis on July 22, 2013, in the the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London.
Posting the snap on their social media accounts, the Waleses said: ‘Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day today!’
They confirmed the snap had been taken by Kate some time this year.
The Princess of Wales has long been a keen photographer and is often the person behind the camera when her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day portraits are taken.
